Capacity of Foundations on Discontinuous Rock

This paper extends the 1980 Kulhawy and Goodman paper that proposed a simplified bearing capacity calculation model for foundations on discontinuous rock masses that are dominated by vertical and horizontal discontinuities. The theoretical models and the empirical correction factor are refined. A finite element model also is used to verify the refined models. Furthermore, Monte Carlo simulations are performed to evaluate the results of the refined models relative to an empirical bearing capacity approach. In addition, the results are compared to field test data.