Simplified conceptual equation for soil-structure interaction for simple structures on dry soils due to vertical loads for practical purposes

Abstract EN

The non-uniform settlements represent a big challenge for the structural engineers because of the problems caused by this phenomenon, where many cracks in the walls, columns and slabs occurred due to the non uniform settlements, which ranges from small cracks to major cracks that threat the safety of the building and the residents.

Along the years, the geotechnical engineers have developed many methods to find the settlements in soil.

However, these methods need certain expertise in the properties and the conditions of soil and some other tests, which the structural engineers in Palestine lack of such expertise.

Therefore, and because of the importance of the soil structure interaction, this paper focuses on a simplified method to estimate the settlements of soil, where by using simple equations the settlement of soil can be predicted with acceptable accuracy for the practical purposes, like design or field checks.