The effect of a random and spatially correlated soil stiffness on the
total settlement under the center of a uniformly loaded flexible-strip
footing has been studied. Random field theory has been combined with
the finite-element method to perform ''Monte Carlo'' simulations of th
e settlement problem with a variable Young's modulus and a constant Po
isson's ratio. The soil Young's modulus field has been simulated with
a fixed mean, standard deviation, and spatial correlation structure us
ing the local average subdivision (LAS) method. The results of paramet
ric studies have been compared with the deterministic quantities to ga
uge the effect of the standard deviation, correlation structure, and g
eometry on the settlement behavior. The results indicate a modest incr
ease in expected settlement for presumptive ranges of soil stiffness v
ariability.