Undrained Stability of Unsupported Rectangular Excavations: Anisotropy and Non-Homogeneity in 3D

The stability of unsupported rectangular excavations in undrained clay is examined under the influence anisotropy and heterogeneity using three-dimensional finite element upper lower bound limit analysis with Anisotropic Undrained Shear (AUS) failure criterion. Three anisotropic shear strengths are considered study, namely triaxial compression, extension, direct simple shear. Special considerations given to study linearly-increased depth. numerical solutions presented by an number that a function four dimensionless parameters, i.e., excavated depth ratio, aspect ratio site, strength gradient ratio. To authors’ best knowledge, this first its kind present 3D excavation considering soil heterogeneity. As such, paper introduces novel approach for predicting clays space, accounting non-homogeneity. Notably, it develops basis formulate mathematical equation design charts estimating factor such type excavation, which should be great interest engineering practitioners.