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Forces acting on well foundation

Short answer

Forces include vertical loads (dead, live, self-weight, buoyancy), horizontal forces (braking, centrifugal, wind, water current, seismic), earth pressure (active/passive), secondary forces (temperature, shrinkage), forces during sinking (skin friction), and water pressure. The resultant horizontal force H and moment M at scour level must be resisted by soil.

What are the different forces acting on a well foundation?

The forces acting on a well foundation are:

  1. Vertical loads: dead load of the superstructure and the pier, live load on the bridge, self-weight of the well, and buoyancy (uplift).
  2. Horizontal forces: braking/tractive force of vehicles, centrifugal force on curves, wind load, water current force on the pier and well, and earthquake (seismic) forces.
  3. Earth pressure: active and passive earth pressure on the well, and surcharge on the soil, for abutments.
  4. Secondary forces: temperature, shrinkage and friction at bearings.
  5. Forces during sinking: skin friction of the soil, and the stresses from the weight and kentledge.
  6. Water pressure: buoyancy and seepage forces.

The horizontal forces and their moments (force times lever arm) at the scour level give a resultant horizontal force HH and moment MM, which the lateral resistance of the soil must resist.

✓ Answer checked by Claude Sonnet 5.5

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