An acoustic emission characterization of the failure process of shallow foundation resting on sandy soils.

Shallow foundation is a common foundation type that is usually used for small to medium size structures. The bearing ability and the failure mechanism of shallow foundation are the fundamental concerns for geotechnical engineers, and the demand for new insights into the relevant issue is still increasing. This paper presents an acoustic emission (AE) characterization of the failure process of shallow foundation, with the aim of revealing the fundamental information on AE signals associated with shallow foundation loading as well as its connection with the ground bearing behavior. Experiments were carried out to model the failure process of shallow foundation resting on sandy ground with different densities (i.e. loose and dense) and subjected to different loading conditions (i.e. monotonic and cyclic loading). Comparisons between AE activities and ground bearing behavior are presented. The feasibility of using AE for stability monitoring of shallow foundation is revealed and discussed.