1. What is Meyerhof's Analysis?

Meyerhof's analysis provides a method to determine the plane strain angle of shearing resistance for footings, accounting for the width-to-length ratio effect on soil behavior under plane strain conditions.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses Meyerhof's formula:

Where:

• \( \Phi_p \) — Plane strain angle of shearing resistance (rad)
• \( B \) — Width of footing (m)
• \( L \) — Length of footing (m)
• \( \phi \) — Angle of internal friction (rad)

Explanation: The formula adjusts the internal friction angle based on the footing's aspect ratio (B/L) to account for plane strain conditions.

3. Importance of Plane Strain Angle Calculation

Details: Accurate determination of plane strain angle of shearing resistance is crucial for foundation design, slope stability analysis, and geotechnical engineering calculations where plane strain conditions prevail.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter footing width and length in meters, and angle of internal friction in radians. All values must be positive and non-zero.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is plane strain condition in soil mechanics?
A: Plane strain condition occurs when soil deformation is constrained in one direction, typically in long footings or retaining walls where strain in the longitudinal direction is negligible.

Q2: Why does the aspect ratio affect the angle of shearing resistance?
A: The width-to-length ratio affects stress distribution and soil confinement, which in turn influences the mobilized shear strength and apparent angle of shearing resistance.

Q3: What are typical values for angle of internal friction?
A: Typical values range from 0.35-0.87 rad (20-50°) for most soils, with higher values for dense granular materials and lower values for cohesive soils.

Q4: When is Meyerhof's analysis particularly important?
A: This analysis is particularly important for strip footings, retaining walls, and other geotechnical structures where plane strain conditions dominate the soil behavior.

Q5: Are there limitations to Meyerhof's formula?
A: The formula provides an empirical relationship and may need adjustment for very unusual soil conditions or extreme aspect ratios. Always verify with site-specific testing when possible.