Unit-IV
Shallow Foundations and
Settlement
Numerical Problems
1. The square footing shown below must be designed to carry a 2400 KN load. Use Terzaghi’s bearing capacity
formula and factor of safety = 3. Determine the foundation dimension B in the following two cases:
(i) The water table is at 1m below the foundation (as shown).
(ii) The water table rises to the ground surface.
Sol:
(i) qu = 1.3 c Nc + q Nq + 0.4 B γ Nγ
qu = qall × FS
(qall=Qall / Area , FS=3)
Applied load ≤ Qall → Qall = 2400kN
qall =Qall / Area=2400 / B2, FS=3→→qu=3×2400 / B2
c=50 kN/m2
q(effective stress) = γ×Df = 17.25×2=34.5 kN/m2
Since the width of the foundation is not known, assume d≤B
γ=γ̅=γ′+d×(γ−γ′) / B
γ′=γsat−γw=19.5−10=9.5kN/m3, d=3−2=1m
→γ̅=9.5+1×(17.25−9.5) / B→γ̅=9.5+7.75 / B
Assume general shear failure
Note:
• Always we design for general shear failure (soil have a high compaction ratio) except if we can’t reach high
compaction, we design for local shear (medium compaction).
For ϕ=32°→Nc=44.04, Nq=28.52, Nγ=26.87
Now substitute from all above factors on Terzaghi equation:
7200 / B2=1.3×50×44.04 + 34.5×28.52 + 0.4×B×(9.5+7.75 / B)×26.87
7200 / B2=3923.837+102.106 B
Multiply both sides by (B2)→ 102.106 B3+3923.837B2−7200=0.0 →B=1.33m✓.
(ii) All factors remain unchanged except q and γ:
q(effective stress)=(19.5−10)×2=19 kN/m2
γ=γ′=19.5−10=9.5 kN/m3
Substitute in Terzaghi equation:
7200 / B2=1.3×50×44.04 + 19×28.52 + 0.4×B×9.5×26.87
7200 / B2=3404.48 + 102.106B
Multiply both sides by (B2)→102.106 B3 + 3404.48 B2−7200=0.0 →B=1.42 m✓.
• Note that as the water table elevation increase the required width (B) will also increase to maintain the factor of
safety (3).
2. Determine the size of square footing to carry net allowable load of 295 KN. FS=3. Use Terzaghi equation assuming general
shear failure.
Sol: Qall,net = 295 kN and we know qall,net = Qall,net / Area
→ qall,net=295 / B2 Also, qall,net = (qu−q) / FS
q(effective stress) = γ×Df
=18.15×1=18.15 kN/m2 , FS=3
→295B2=qu−18.153→qu=885B2+18.15→→(1)
qu=1.3cNc + qNq + 0.4BγNγ
c=50 kN/m2
q(effective stress)=18.15 kN/m2 , γ=20 kN/m3 (for underlying soil)
For ϕ=25°→Nc=25.13,Nq=12.72,Nγ=8.34
Substitute from all above factor in Terzaghi equation:
qu = 1.3×50×25.13 + 18.15×12.72 + 0.4×B×20×8.34
→qu = 1864.318+66.72B
Substitute from Eq. (1): 885B2+18.15 = 1864.318+66.72B
Multiply both side by B2:
66.72 B3+1846.168B2−885=0.0 →B=0.68 m✓.
3. A plate load test using a plate of size 30 x 30 cm was carried out at the level of a
prototype foundation. The soil at the site was cohesionless with the water table at
great depth. The plate settled by 10 mm at a load intensity of 160 kN/m2. Determine
the settlement of a square footing of size 2 x 2 m under the same load intensity.
Sol: The settlement of the foundation Sf may be determined from Eq.
Thank You