Shear strength index of soils in bearing capacity analysis for existing footings near excavations

As excavations may cause change of the boundary conditions and the additional loss of bearing capacity of footings due to unloading induced lateral soil movement.Selection of shear strength parameters used in bearing capacity analysis for existing buildings near excavations is different from the one of general bearing capacity near slope.Those questions are discussed and the shear strength available corresponds to the average between the fully softened and residual shear strength is suggested.According to the idea,relevant bearing capacity for existing buildings near excavations is evaluated;and the results are compared with the test data and the theoretical solutions of bearing capacity near slope.Though present method is appropriate,it should be clarified by test as a strategy in design.