Ratio of predicted and observed natural frequency of finite sand stratum

Vertical vibration tests were conducted using model footings of different size and mass resting on the surface of finite sand layer with different height to width ratios and underlain by either rigid concrete base or natural red-earth base. A comparative study of the ratio of predicted and observed natural frequency ratio of the finite sand stratum was made using the calculated values of equivalent stiffness suggested by Gazetas (1983) and Baidya and Muralikrishna (2001). Comparison of results between model footings resting on finite sand stratum underlain by the rigid concrete base and the natural red-earth base showed that, the presence of a finite base of higher rigidity increases the resonant frequency significantly. With increase in H/B ratio beyond 2.0, the influence of both the rigid concrete and natural red-earth base decreases. Increase in the contact area of the footing increases the resonant frequency of the model footings resting on finite sand stratum underlain by both the types of finite bases. Both the predicted and the observed resonant frequency ratio decreases with increase in force rating and height to width ratio for a given series of model footing.