Chapter 4 Experimental Results

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Figure 4.27 The pull back moment-rotation curves from all the snaps in test 7

Figure 4.28 The pull back moment-rotation curves from all the snaps in test 9
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Snap 1
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Snap 1
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Snap 9
4.3 SnapBack Test Results
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Figure 4.29 Dynamic moment-rotation for test 7 snap back 4

Figure 4.30 Dynamic moment-rotation for test 7 snap back 5
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Chapter 4 Experimental Results
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4.3.13.3 Curve Fitting
The static moment-rotation curves were fitted with curves using Matlabs nonlinear
regression function that enables an equation to be fitted to an arbitrary curve
(MathWorks 2009). Producing equations that represent the static moment rotation
curves given in Figures 4.27 and 4.28 would allow a designer to choose a rotational
stiffness based on what rotations are expected, and thus proceed with designing for
rocking foundations. Sullivan et al. (2010) say this particular topic needs to be
researched further, and the results from the static moment rotation curves gives us an
insight into how much stiffness degradation takes place during rocking.
Kondner (1963) gives an equation for a hyperbolic stress strain relationship for cohesive
soils, and describes the factors contributing to the curve. The form of the stress strain
curve is:

b a
Q

(4.7)
where Q =shear stress; =axial strain; and a and b are parameters for the hyperbolic
curve, given below.

Figure 4.31 The stress strain curves that give the parameters a and b. Actual curve
left, transformed curve to estimate parameters for stress strain behaviour right


4.3 SnapBack Test Results
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Although these parameters are for stress-strain behaviour they can be applied to
moment-rotation behaviour as well. The parameter that gives the initial slope of the line,
a, is related to the initial stiffness of the system, and the parameter that specifies the
horizontal asymptote, b, relates to the moment capacity of the system.
Figure 4.32 gives the static moment-rotation curves from test 7 (same as Figure 4.27)
along with upper and lower bounds from the curve fitting. Figure 4.33 gives a close up
of those upper and lower bounds compared with snap-backs 1 and 9 respectively. The
curves were created by having an initial part that was elastic, and then applying the
nonlinear regression at some defined moment the point where initial nonlinearity
occurs. As is evident the curve functions can capture the static moment rotation
distribution that was recorded in the experiments. The initial elastic part of the curve
was calculated as around 60% of the Gazetas formula for the upper bound and around
20% for the lower bound. Subsequently the ultimate moment capacities for each were
110 kNm for the upper bound and around 85 kNm for the lower bound.

Figure 4.32 The upper and lower bound of the fitted curves, with the 9 snap-backs of
test 7 plotted in grey.
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Chapter 4 Experimental Results
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Figure 4.33 A close up with of the upper (left) and lower (right) bound fitted curves
for test 7

Figure 4.34 The upper and lower bound of the fitted curves, with the 9 snap-backs of
test 9 plotted in grey.
Figure 4.34 gives the upper and lower bounds to the curve fitting for test 9 along with
all the snap-backs of that test. Again it shows that the nonlinear behaviour can be
captured by the equation. The upper bound had an initial stiffness of around 80% of the
Gazetas value and a moment capacity of 110 kNm the same as what was found for test
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Upper Bound
Lower Bound