Ramin Vali - Department of Civil Engineering, Technical and Vocational University (TVU), Tehran, Iran.
Seyed Amir Behrouz Hami - Department of Civil Engineering, Technical and Vocational University (TVU), Tehran, Iran.

Circular footings can be the optimal option for the foundation of many structures,particularly special structures like chimneys, silos, and storage tanks. In this paper, theeffect of reinforcing these footings with skirt elements is investigated. An axisymmetricnumerical model has been created using the lower and the upper bounds of the FiniteElement Limit Analysis. Approximately ۱,۰۰۰ simulations have ensured the accuracy of theresults. Different parameters such as the soil's internal friction angle, the soil-footinginterface reduction factor, and the vertical skirt length were considered to determine howmuch bearing capacity could be increased in circular skirted footing. The results in the formof non-dimensional design charts demonstrate a significant effect of the skirt elements.

Bearing Capacity, Circular Skirted Footing, Finite Element Limit Analysis, Sandy Soil.