• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.45-59
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• 2011

This study introduces the diagrammatic Upper and Lower Bound (UB and LB) methods theoretically in order to derive the bearing capacity factor, $N_c$ in undrained clay and to compare with Prandtl's exact solution (1921). As a result of the theoretical study, an exact solution comes out when the UB and LB solutions are the same. In addition, the finite element analyses show that the failure loads approach to the bearing capacity factor of 5.14. Results of the FEA significantly depend on the finite element type, a number of elements, and a number of increments. From this study the exact solution defines that solutions from UB and LB are the same. However, this situation is very difficult to process, so we can confirm the exact solution as a range between UB and LB solutions.