Determining the Equivalent Elastic Modulus Relationship for Multi-layered Soils in Immediate Settlement Calculations of Shallow Foundations Using Combined FEM and EPR Numerical Modeling

Pirmohammadi Alishah, Farhad; Motalbian, Masoud; Mohammasrezaei, Mehdi

doi:10.22034/cpj.2025.561493.1413

Determining the Equivalent Elastic Modulus Relationship for Multi-layered Soils in Immediate Settlement Calculations of Shallow Foundations Using Combined FEM and EPR Numerical Modeling

10.22034/cpj.2025.561493.1413

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 29 November 2025

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

farhad pirmohammadi alishah

Masoud Motalbian

Mehdi Mohammasrezaei

Department of Civil Engineering, Shab.C., Islamic Azad University, Shabestar, Iran.

Abstract

Many of the key behaviors of concrete at the nanoscale are influenced by its internal microstructure. Adopting a nanotechnology-based approach can thus play a crucial role in identifying, analyzing, and improving the microstructural performance of concrete as a nanomaterial. In this research, the effect of metal oxide nanoparticles on the compressive strength and permeability of ordinary concrete was investigated. A total of 36 cubic specimens were prepared to evaluate compressive strength, and 4 cylindrical specimens were produced to measure permeability. The cubic specimens had dimensions of 5 × 5 × 5 cm, and the cylindrical specimens were 15 × 15 cm. Tests were conducted at curing ages of 7 and 28 days. Compressive strength tests were performed with three cement contents—350, 400, and 450 kg/m³—at varying percentages of titanium dioxide (TiO₂) nanoparticles (0%, 1%, 3%, and 5%). The permeability test was conducted only on samples with 400 kg/m³ cement content, using the same nanoparticle replacement ratios (0%, 1%, 3%, and 5%). The results showed that for concretes with cement contents of 350 and 400 kg/m³, the highest compressive strength was achieved with 5% nanoparticle content at both ages. In contrast, for the 450 kg/m³ mix, the optimum nanoparticle dosage was 3%.

Furthermore, the permeability test results indicated that the addition of nanoparticles reduced concrete permeability, reaching the minimum permeability at the 3% nanoparticle content.

Keywords

Elastic foundation settlement

Equivalent soil elastic modulus

Finite element modeling

Evolutionary regression

Subjects