Sustainability 2020, 11, x FOR PEER REVIEW 4 of 22

Serrano et al. [23] proposed an analytical formulation for estimating the ultimate bearing
capacity of the strip footing for a weightless rock mass, based on the characteristic method, which
Sustainability
allows solving2020, 12,the
10063internal equilibrium equations in a continuous medium together with4 of the
21
boundary equations and those that define the failure criterion. This solution is based on the
Modified Hoek and Brown failure criterion [20], taking into account the associated plastic flow rule.
those that define the failure criterion. This solution is based on the Modified Hoek and Brown failure
According to this analytical formulation, the ground surface that supports the foundation is
criterion [20], taking into account the associated plastic flow rule.
composed of two sectors (Figure 1): Boundary 1 (free), with the inclination i1, where the load acting
According to this analytical formulation, the ground surface that supports the foundation is
on a surface is known (for example, the self-weight load on the foundation level or the load from
composed of two sectors (Figure 1): Boundary 1 (free), with the inclination i1 , where the load acting
installed anchors), and Boundary 2 (foundation), where the bearing capacity of the foundation
on a surface is known (for example, the self-weight load on the foundation level or the load from
should be determined (acting with the inclination of i2).
installed anchors), and Boundary 2 (foundation), where the bearing capacity of the foundation should
be determined (acting with the inclination of i2 ).

Boundary 2: Foundation

Ph i2 i1 Boundary 1: Free surface

𝜋 𝜌2 1
( + )
4 2
Rankine-2 region 𝜋 𝜌1
( − )
4 2


Prandtl region Rankine-1 region

Figure1.1.Mathematical
Figure Mathematicalmodel
modelofofthe
thebearing
bearingcapacity
capacityofofthe
thestrip
stripfooting.
footing.

The
Thesolution
solutionbased basedon onthe
thecharacteristic
characteristiclines
linesmethod
methodrequires
requiresthe
theequation
equationofofthe
theRiemann
Riemann
invariants
invariants(I(Ia )a)[26]
[26]fulfilled
fulfilledalong
alongthe
thecharacteristic
characteristicline:
line:
𝐼I𝑎a ((𝜌
ρ11))++ψ𝜓1 1==Ia𝐼(𝑎ρ(𝜌 )+𝜓
2 )2+ ψ2 2
(5)
(5)
1   ρ  𝜌
𝐼𝑎 (𝜌) 1 ∙ [𝑐𝑜𝑡𝑔(𝜌) + 𝑙𝑛 (𝑐𝑜𝑡𝑔 ( ))]
Ia (ρ=

)= · cotg ( ρ ) + ln cotg (6)
(6)
2 ∙2·k
𝑘 2 2
InInthis
thisequation,
equation,the
theinstantaneous
instantaneousfriction
frictionangle
angleatatthe
theboundary
boundary22(ρ(ρ2 )2)isisthe
theonly
onlyunknown,
unknown,
because
becausethe other
the variables
other can be
variables candefined at Boundary
be defined 1: the instantaneous
at Boundary friction angle
1: the instantaneous at Boundary
friction angle at
1 (ρ1 ) and the angle (Ψ1 ) between the major principal stress and the vertical axis in this sector (Figure 1).