We are running a shallow foundation with a highly eccentric V-H loading. There will be a separation between foundation and soil near the edge of foundation. In order to simulate the separation of soil and foundation, we have used tension zero cut-off (no tensile strength) for the soil, and set an interface with Rint = 0.65. My question is for the area where foundation-soil separation is expected, whether the sliding resistance still exists? Ideally, I would expect that once the contact is lost, there should be no sliding resistance provided at interface. The undrained model B and C are used, with undrained shear strength as inputs.
The above question is for the soil-structure interface. Similar question can be to soil-soil condition. For example, at the top of slope failure, a tension crack may occur. Along the tension crack, obviously it is a separation between soils. Will the shear resistance still exist at the crack area?
Hope anybody can help. I could not find a clear answer in the manual. Thanks!