الفهرس 
Outline of the Thesis
Development of Finite Element Modeling of Raft FoundationOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
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Abstract
The main objective of this research work is to study the different finite element modeling techniques. These techniques are commonly used in the engineering field for the simulation of the structural behavior of raft foundations. The research presented here is directed into two main approaches. The first involves analysis of raft foundations using the common popular simplified structural approach (Winkler model) for raft analysis. The second involving using more highly sophisticated models utilizing soil-structure interaction.
Finite element models for several loaded raft foundations were developed considering both approaches, using numerical analysis software SAP2000(version17.3.0). An extensive parametric study was performed to investigate the effect of various parameters such as soil elasticity and raft rigidity. This analysis was carried out with special emphasis on the comparison between the results obtained in each case utilizing both the simplified models and the sophisticated soil-structure interaction model.
A detailed discussion of results is presented.Conclusions are developed related to the accuracy of the popular simplified models as compared to more accurate sophisticated models. Analysis results indicated that economical design of raft could be achieved using sophisticated model. The conclusions are utilized to develop recommendations for the practicing engineer as to the feasibility of using simplified models within the time-cost constraints of practical analysis work in the engineering field.