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Soil Bearing Resistance Distributions Analysis

The document compares the ultimate bearing resistance values derived from normal and lognormal distributions, highlighting significant differences at extreme ranges. While the normal distribution can yield negative values without constraints, the lognormal distribution maintains a minimum threshold, resulting in a more reliable simulation. The median ultimate bearing resistances and probabilities of failure for both distributions are also presented, indicating a lower probability of failure for the lognormal distribution.

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iantherr
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7 views2 pages

Soil Bearing Resistance Distributions Analysis

The document compares the ultimate bearing resistance values derived from normal and lognormal distributions, highlighting significant differences at extreme ranges. While the normal distribution can yield negative values without constraints, the lognormal distribution maintains a minimum threshold, resulting in a more reliable simulation. The median ultimate bearing resistances and probabilities of failure for both distributions are also presented, indicating a lower probability of failure for the lognormal distribution.

Uploaded by

iantherr
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Assignment 4 Ian Herr, Uttam Dahal

Problem 3)
a)

b)
In the expected range of values, those values close to su = 100kPa, the two distributions produce similar
values. However, the values at the extreme range differ significantly. The lognormal distribution had
ultimate resistances of more than 2000 kPa, while the normal distribution reached a maximum value
around 1400 kPa. Additionally, the log normal distribution rarely was calculated to be less than 250 kPa,
while theoretically the normal distribution ultimate bearing resistance could have become negative, if
restraints were not placed on the simulation.
With a normal distribution there is a chance that Monte Carlo Simulation can produce negative values for
the soil unit weight and shear strength. Since this phenomenon does not happen in nature one must force a
constraint on the randomly produced value. In this simulation the lowest possible value was chosen to be
0 kPa and 0 kN/m3 for the shear strength and soil unit weight respectively. This choice affected the
outcome of the simulation by allowing the ultimate bearing resistance to theoretically go to zero. The
effect of a minimum value from the Monte Carlo Simulation is to shift the curve of the CDF to the right
and make the curve more compact. The upper extremes will not be changed since they are unbounded
from the start. With good test results from the lab, a minimum bearing resistance could be calculated.
Since soil cannot be weightless or devoid of strength the choice of a minimum value of 0 for both random
variables was extremely conservative and did not reflect any soil that will be found in the field.
Assignment 4 Ian Herr, Uttam Dahal

c)
Normal Distribution Median Ultimate Bearing Resistance: 656 kN/m2
Log-Normal Distribution Median Ultimate Bearing Resistance: 629 kN/m2
d)
Normal Distribution Probability of Failure: 2.1 %
Log-Normal Distribution Probability of Failure: 0.07%

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