Analysis of foundation of tall RC chimney with 3D finite element method

Abstract

3D finite element (FE) analyses were carried out for 100-m and 400-m-high RC chimneys having piled annular raft and annular raft foundations considering the flexibility of soil subjected to across-wind load. Stiffness of supporting soil and foundation were varied to evaluate the significance of SSI. The integrated chimney-foundation-soil system was analysed by finite element software ANSYS based on direct method of SSI assuming linear elastic material behaviour. FE analyses were carried out for two cases of SSI, namely: (1) chimney with annular raft foundation, and (2) chimney with piled annular raft foundation. The responses in raft, such as bending moments and settlements, were evaluated for both cases and compared to those obtained from the conventional method of analysis of annular raft foundation. It is found that the responses in raft depend on the stiffness of the underlying soil and the stiffness of foundation. � ASCE 2014.