The Coefficients of Variation Characteristic of Stress Distribution in Silty Sand by Probabilistic Load

Recently, Load and Resistance Factor Design (LRFD) based on reliability analysis has become a global trend for economical and rational design. In order to implement the LRFD, quantification of uncertainty for load and resistance should be done. The reliability of result relies on input variable, and therefore, it is important to obtain exact uncertainty properties of load and resistance. Since soil stress is the main reason causing the settlement or deformation of ground and load on the underground structure, it is essential to clarify the uncertainty of soil stress distribution for accurately predict the uncertainty of load in LRFD. In this study, laboratory model test on silty sand bed under probabilistic load is performed to observe propagation of upper load uncertainty. The results show that the coefficient of variation (COV) of soil stress are varied depending on location due to non-linear relationship between upper load increment and soil pressure increment. In addition, when the load uncertainty is transmitted through ground, COV is decreased by damping effect.