Abstract:Based on the constitutive equation of a transversely isotropic foundation with horizontal isotropic symmetric planes,the constitutive equation for a transversely isotropic foundation with inclined isotropic symmetric planes is derived. In addition,the methods of computing earth stress of a transversely isotropic foundation under the above two conditions and the analytical solutions of additional stress caused by horizontal loads are developed. From practical examples,the differences in the mechanical behaviour between a transversely isotropic foundation and an isotropic foundation are found. The study result can also be applied to explain the phenomena of larger horizontal stresses compared with the vertical ones and anisotropic horizontal stresses as observed in practice.