M. Arabshahi - Graduate Student of Geotechnical Engineering, School of Civil Eng., Faculty of Engineering, University of Tehran
A. R. Majidi - Ph.D. of Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering, Mahab Ghodss Consulting Engineers
A. A Mirghasemi - Associate Professor, School of Civil Eng., Faculty of Engineering, University of Tehran

In this research, the Discrete Element Method is employed to determine seismic three dimensional bearing capacity of rectangular foundations adjacent to slopes, in pseudo-static conditions. Modeling of the failure mechanism under the footing is accessed by defining several discrete blocks, connected together with winkler springs. The failure mechanism of the soil is not predefined and will be found by trial and error. The seismic loading can be applied to the soil mass, soil surcharge and foundation loading assuming pseudo-static manner. Besides, a comparison to another method based on energy dissipation is made.

3 Dimensional, Bearing Capacity, Shallow Foundations/Footings, Seismic,Pseudo-static, Discrete Element Method