Recent development in modeling, analysis, and design of foundation systems subjected to blast loading considering uncertainties

Abstract

Traditional design approaches simplify the problem by considering the uncertain parameters to be deterministic, and they use lumped factors of safety (empirical, based on past experience) to account for the uncertainties propagating in the design decisions. To evaluate response of foundation to blast loads, there are uncertainties involved in loading conditions, inherent spatial variability of soil properties, presence of geologic anomaly, uncertainty associated with selection of an appropriate analytical model, testing and measurements errors, and human errors. These have necessitated reliability analysis in addition to conventional analysis. As far as possible, uncertainties should be avoided, and if those are unavoidable, then those should be eliminated, and if elimination is not possible, those should be adapted in planning, design, and usage of foundation throughout its life. Unavailability of a large set of sample data and mathematical sophistication for carrying out uncertainty analysis are areas of concern. This chapter presents sources of uncertainties in foundation design parameters, descriptors of randomness, analytical models for random variables, determination of probability distributions, randomness in response variables, and influence of spatial variation of soil mass on design. Recent development in modeling, analysis, and design of foundation systems subjected to blast loading considering uncertainties has been discussed.