Calibration of resistance factors for bearing resistance design of shallow foundations under seismic and wind loading

Although the geotechnical resistance factors at ultimate limit state (ULS) used for dynamic loading conditions should be different from those for static loading conditions, most current structural and geotechnical design codes do not specifically provide dynamic resistance factors. In this paper, the ULS reliability analysis of individual shallow foundations for drained and undrained soil conditions under seismic (pseudo-dynamic) and wind loads using the Random Finite Element Method is carried out using the provisions of the National Building Code of Canada. The geotechnical resistance factors required to achieve target maximum lifetime failure probabilities are estimated for a few major Canadian cities. The results indicate that the failure probability for drained soil conditions is slightly greater than that for undrained soil conditions. In addition, the results suggest that the dynamic resistance factors for foundation bearing capacity design at ULS are lower than those for static foundation design the code. The current can be used to the calibration of these resistance factors.