Finite strip analysis of strip footings: Horizontal loading

Abstract

The static and dynamic response of strip footings subject to horizontal loads are studied using a finite strip method. In this method, the two-dimensional problem is effectively reduced to an equivalent one-dimensional problem. This is achieved by representing the displacement behaviour of the soil in the lateral direction by a suitable choice of trigonometric functions in a Fourier series. The orthogonal property of the trigonometric functions results in the uncoupling of the terms of the series in the final matrices. This leads to a significant reduction in the semi-bandwidth of the resulting set of equations, making the method well-suited to small computers. The factors affecting the accuracy of the method are studied. The finite strip solutions are shown to be in good agreement with available theoretical solutions. © 1990.