Adaptation of Eurocode «Geotechnics-7» in the Building Norms of the Republic of Kazakhstan

Abstract

The introduction of Building Norms in construction in Republic of Kazakhstan taking into consideration principles of Eurocode «Geotechnics-7” in 2015-20 predetermines necessity of revision and clarification of provision of building codes and national standards for the design ground foundations. Building norms of foundation design developed nearly 40 years ago for the vast territory of the USSR taken without considering the behavior of soil conditions on the territory of Kazakhstan. The following article represents results obtained from foundation bearing capacity analysis carried out by international and Kazakhstani researchers. Evaluation of soil bearing capacity, that are used in USA and Europe, are based on Terzaghi-Prandl solution and that of Meyerhof. The solutions considered in this article based on premise of stiff wedge propagation under foundation base made of compacted soil. Advancing of following wedge further down impacts on surrounding soil and pushes it to ultimate state. The design of basements and foundations in Kazakhstan is planning to shift to Eurocode “Geotechnics-7”, in that case, approach of foreign researches will be used. In studies, conducted by the authors, there is an analysis of the differences between the regulations and principles of design in Eurocode. When determining the bearing capacity according to Eurocode «Geotechnics - 7», calculation is based on bearing capacity, and then is validated by the strain. In Kazakhstan’s building norms, the procedure requires first calculation of the strains, and only in certain cases, bearing capacity check takes place. Comparing methods to determine the limit pressure to the soil, we note that our regulatory documents used solutions of limit equilibrium theory, suggesting that the entire soil under the foundation is in the process of plastic flow. The paper presents comparative calculations of bearing capacity of shallow and pile foundations for engineering-geological conditions of the site for the city of Karaganda. Results of geological engineering survey analysis represent that the foundation soil in many design parameters are different. In recent years, the government has set a problem for building committee to adapt existing regulations to the basic principles of basement and foundations design of Eurocode «Geotechnics-7». Thus, to shift to the main aspects of international norms, it is necessary to adapt basic principles of basement and foundation design. Taking into account particular geological conditions on the vast territory of Kazakhstan, design characteristics of foundation soils needs to adapt as well.