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Allowable Bearing Capacity
Allowable Bearing Capacity
Module 4
(Lecture 15)
SHALLOW FOUNDATIONS: ALLOWABLE BEARING CAPACITY AND
SETTLEMENT
Topics
1.1 ALLOWABLE BEARING CAPACITY
1.2 ALLOWABLE BEARING PRESSURE IN SAND BASED ON
SETTLEMENT CONSIDERATION
1.3 FIELD LOAD TEST
1.4 PRESUMPTIVE BEARING CAPACITY
1.5 TOLERABLE SETTLEMENT OF BUILDINGS
1.6 FOUNDATION WITH SOIL REINFORCEMENT
1.7 SHALLOW FOUNDATION ON SOIL WITH REINFORCEMENT
According to Meyerhofs theory, for 1 in. (25.4 mm) of estimated maximum settlement
net (all ) (kN/m2 ) = 11.98
(for 1.22 m
3.28+1 2
3.28
[4.48]
And
(for 4 ft
B+1 2
B
[4.49]
[4.50]
(for 4 ft
[4.51]
Since Meyerhof proposed original correlation, researchers have observed that its results
are rather conservative. Later, Meyerhof (1965) suggested that the net allowable bearing
pressure should be increased by about 50%. Bowles (1977) proposed that the modified
form of the bearing pressure equations be expressed as
3.28+1 2
3.28
(for 1.22 m)
25.4
[4.52]
[4.53]
[4.54]
2.5
Fd S c
B+1 2
B
(for 4 ft)
Fd S c
[4.55]
[4.56]
Based on equation (55 and 56), the variation of net (all ) /(Fd Sc ) with B and are
given in figure 4.30.
The empirical relations just presented may raise some questions. For example which
value of the standard penetration number should be used, and what is the effect of the
water table on the net allowable bearing capacity? The design value of should be
determined by taking into account the values for a depth of 2B to 3B, measured from
the bottom of the foundation. Many engineers are also of the opinion that the value
net (all ) = 15
And
3.28+1 2
net (all ) = 25
3.28
[4.57]
[4.58]
Note that in equations (57 and 58) the unit of B is meters, and the units of net (all ) and
are kN/m2 .
net (all ) (lb/ft 2 ) =
And
q c (lb /ft 2 )
15
q c (lb /ft 2 )
25
+1 2
25
[4.59]
[4.60]
The basic philosophy behind the development of these correlations is that, if the
maximum settlement is not more than 1 in. (25.4 mm) for any foundation, the differential
settlement would be no more than 0.75 in. (19 mm). These are probably the allowable
limits for most building foundation designs.
FIELD LOAD TEST
The ultimate load-bearing capacity of a foundation, as well as the allowable bearing
capacity based on tolerable settlement considerations, can be effectively determined from
the field load test. It is generally referred to as the plate load test (ASTM, 1982; Test
Designation D-1194-72). The plates that are used for tests in the field are usually made of
steel and are 25 mm (1 in.) thick and 150 mm to 762 mm (6 in. to 30 in.) in diameter.
Occasionally, square plates that are 305 mm 305 mm (12 in. 12 in.) are also used.
To conduct a plate load test, a hole is excavated with a minimum diameter 4B (B =
diameter of the test plate) to a depth of ( = depth of the proposed foundation). The
plate is placed at the center of the hole. Load is applied to the plate in steps-about onefourth to one-fifth of the estimated ultimate load-by means of jack. A schematic diagram
of the test arrangement is shown in figure 4.31a. During each step load application, the
settlement of the plate is observed on step. The test should be conducted until failure, or
at least until the plate has gone through 25 mm (1 in.) of settlement. Figure 4.32 shows
Figure 4.31 Plate load test: (a) test arrangement; (b) nature of load-settlement curve
For tests in clay,
() = ()
[4.61]
W, is
Here
Equation (61) implies that the ultimate bearing capacity in clay is virtually independent
of the size of the plate.
() = ()
Where
[4.62]
=
And
[4.63]
[4.64]
The preceding relationship is based on the work of Terzaghi and Peck (1967). Figure
4.32 shows a comparison of several large-scale field test results in with equation (64).
Based on this comparison, it can be said that equation (64) is fairly approximate.
Figure 4.32 Comparison of field test results with equation (64) (after DAppolonia et al.,
1970)
Housel (1929) proposed a different technique for determining the load-bearing capacity
of shallow foundations based on settlement considerations:
1. Requirement is to find the dimensions of a foundation that will carry a load of
with an allowable settlement of ( ) .
[4.65]
2 = 2 + 2
[4.66]
Where
, =
two constants that corresponds to the bearing presure and perimeter shear, respectively
The values of and can be determined by solving equations (65 and 66).
[4.67]
Where
Because , and are known, equation (67) can be solved determine foundations
width.
Example 7
The results of a plate load test in a sandy soil are shown in figure 4.33. The size of the
plate is 0.305m 0.305m. Determine the size of a square column foundation that should
carry a load of 2500 kN with a maximum of 25 mm.
Figure 4.33
Solution
The problem has to be solved by trial and error. Use the following table and equation
(64):
(kN)(1)
Assume width
(m)(2)
= 2 (kN
/m2 )(3)
from
2500
4.0
156.25
4.0
13.81
2500
3.0
277.80
8.0
26.37
2500
3.2
244.10
6.8
22.67
The results of two plate load tests are given in the following table:
Settlement (mm)
0.305
20
0.610
71.8
20
[a]
[b]
= 50.68 kN/m2
= 29.75 kN/m
= +
Or
= 2 + 4
For = 715 kN,
A shallow square foundation for a column is to be constructed. It must carry a net vertical
load of 1000 kN. The foundation soil is sand. The standard penetration numbers obtained
from field exploration are given in figure 4.34. Assume that the depth of the foundation
will be 1.5 m and the tolerable settlement is 25.4 mm. determine the size of the
foundation.
Figure 4.34
Solution
The field standard penetration numbers need to be corrected by using the Liao and
Whitman relationship (table 4 from chapter 2). This is done in the following table
Field value of
3
(kN/m2 )
31.4
Corrected )
62.8
12
94.2
12
12
125.6
11
10
16
157.0
13
12
13
188.4
14
12
206.4
16
14
224.36
18
18
242.34
11
Depth (m)
Rounded off
( ) = 11.98
3.28
25.4
( ) = 119.8
3.28
B (m)
( ) (kN/m2 )
= ( )
2 (kN)
1.248
197.24
788.96
2.25
1.22
187.19
947.65
2.3
1.215
185.46
981.1
2.4
1.206
182.29
1050.0
2.5
1.198
179.45
1121.56
Several building codes (for example, Uniform Building Code, Chicago Building Code,
New York City Building Code) specify the allowable bearing capacity of foundations on
various types of soil. For minor construction, they often provide fairly acceptable
guidelines. However, these bearing capacity values are based primarily on the visual
classification of near-surface soils. They generally do not take into consideration factors
such as the stress history of the soil, water table location, depth of the foundation, and
tolerable settlement. So, for large construction projects, the codes presumptive values
should be used only as guides.
TOLERABLE SETTLEMENT OF BUILDINGS
As has been emphasized in this chapter, settlement analysis is an important part of the
design and construction of foundations. Large settlements of various components of a
structure may lead to considerable damage and/or may interfere with the proper
functioning of the structure. Limited studies have been made to evaluate the conditions
for tolerable settlement of various types of structures (for example, Bjerrum, 1963;
Figure 4.35 Parameters for definition of tolerable settlement (redrawn after Wahls, 1981)
The parameters are
= total vertical displacement at point
= angular distortion
= deflection ratio
Bjerum (1963) provided the conditions of limiting angular distortion, , for various
structures (see table 6).
1/600
1/500
1/300
1/300
1/750
Plastic clay
(a)
Civil-and industrial-building
column foundations:
For steel and reinforced
concrete structure
For end rows of columns
with brick cladding
For
structures
where
auxillary strain does not
arise during nonuniform
settlement of foundations
Tilt
of
smokestacks,
towers, and so on
0.002
0.002
0.007
0.001
0.005
0.005
0.004
0.004
0.003
0.003
Craneways
(b)/
Plain brick walls:
For multistory dwelling
and civil buildings
at / 3
at / 5
0.0003
0.0004
0.0005
0.0007
0.0010
0.0010
/ 2.5
3(80)
/ 1.5
4(100)
(1981).