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Bearing Capacity of Soil: 7.0 Syllabus
Bearing Capacity of Soil: 7.0 Syllabus
Dr. S. K. Prasad
Professor of Civil Engineering
S. J. College of Engineering, Mysore
7.0 Syllabus
1. Definition of ultimate, net and safe bearing capacities, Allowable bearing pressure
2. Terzaghis and Brinch Hansens bearing capacity equations Assumptions and
Limitations
3. Bearing capacity of footings subjected to eccentric loading
4. Effect of ground water table on bearing capacity
5. Plate load test, Standard Penetration Test, Cone Penetration Test
(8 Hours)
7.1 Definitions
Bearing capacity is the power of foundation soil to hold the forces from the
superstructure without undergoing shear failure or excessive settlement.
Foundation soil is that portion of ground which is subjected to additional
stresses when foundation and superstructure are constructed on the ground. The
following are a few important terminologies related to bearing capacity of soil.
qn
qo
F
spread
Bulging
observed
in
neighbourhood of footing
of Extent of horizontal spread
the
of
observed
observed
7.3.2 Limitations
1. The theory is applicable to shallow foundations
2. As the soil compresses, increases which is not considered. Hence fully
plastic zone may not develop at the assumed .
3. All points need not experience limit equilibrium condition at different loads.
4. Method of superstition is not acceptable in plastic conditions as the ground is
near failure zone.
Fig. 7.3 : Terzaghis concept of Footing with five distinct failure zones in
foundation soil
7.3.3 Concept
A strip footing of width B gradually compresses the foundation soil underneath
due to the vertical load from superstructure. Let q f be the final load at which the
foundation soil experiences failure due to the mobilization of plastic
equilibrium. The foundation soil fails along the composite failure surface and
the region is divided in to five zones, Zone 1 which is elastic, two numbers of
Zone 2 which are the zones of radial shear and two zones of Zone 3 which are
the zones of linear shear. Considering horizontal force equilibrium and
incorporating empirical relation, the equation for ultimate bearing capacity is
obtained as follows.
Ultimate bearing capacity,
q f cN c DN q 0.5BN
q n cN c DN q 0.5BN D
q n cN c D ( N q 1) 0.5BN
qs cN c D ( N q 1) 0.5BN
F1 D
Nc
Nq
N'c
N'q
N'
5.7
1.0
0.0
5.7
1.0
0.0
7.3
1.6
0.5
6.7
1.4
0.2
10
9.6
2.7
1.2
8.0
1.9
0.5
15
12.9
4.4
2.5
9.7
2.7
0.9
20
17.7
7.4
5.0
11.8
3.9
1.7
25
25.1
12.7
9.7
14.8
5.6
3.2
30
37.2
22.5
19.7
19.0
8.3
5.7
34
52.6
36.5
35.0
23.7
11.7
9.0
35
57.8
41.4
42.4
25.2
12.6
10.1
40
95.7
81.3
100.4
34.9
20.5
18.8
45
172.3
173.3
297.5
51.2
35.1
37.7
48
258.3
287.9
780.1
66.8
50.5
60.4
50
347.6
415.1 1153.2
81.3
65.6
87.1
q f 1.3cN c DN q 0.3BN
B
B
)cN c DN q (1 0.2 )0.5BN
L
L
sc
1
1.3
1.3
(1 0.3
B
)
L
sq
1
1
1
s
1
0.8
0.6
(1 0.2
B
)
L
2
tan
3
2
c
3
Table 7.3 summarizes the bearing capacity factors to be used under different
situations. If is less than 36o and more than 28o, it is not sure whether the
failure is of general or local shear type. In such situations, linear interpolation
can be made and the region is called mixed zone.
Table 7.4 : Bearing capacity factors in zones of local, mixed and general shear
conditions.
Local Shear Failure
< 28o
Nc1, Nq1, N1
Mixed Zone
28o < < 36o
Ncm, Nqm, Nm
Z
1
Here, Rw1 2 1 Dw1
Here, Rw 2 2 1 Bw2
Table 7.5 Typical factors of safety for bearing capacity calculation in different
situations
eq
1 D1 2 D2
D1 D2
Here, the bearing capacity factors are given by the following expressions which
depend on .
N c ( N q 1) cot
N q (e tan ) tan 2 (45
N 1.5( N q 1) tan
)
2
Equations are available for shape factors (sc, sq, s), depth factors (dc, dq, d) and
load inclination factors (ic, iq, i). The effects of these factors is to reduce the
bearing capacity.
7.11 Determination of Bearing Capacity from field tests
Field Tests are performed in the field. You have understood the advantages of
field tests over laboratory tests for obtaining the desired property of soil. The
biggest advantages are that there is no need to extract soil sample and the
conditions during testing are identical to the actual situation.
Major advantages of field tests are
Sampling not required
Soil disturbance minimum
Major disadvantages of field tests are
Labourious
Time consuming
Heavy equipment to be carried to field
Short duration behavior
Fig. 7.9 : typical set up for Static Cone Penetration test assembly
1. Reference can be made to IS 4968 (P3) 1987 for details on Standard
Penetration Test.
2. Cone Penetration Test can either be Static Cone Penetration Test or
Dynamic Cone Penetration Test.
3. Continuous record of penetration resistance with depth is achieved.
4. Consists of a cone 36 mm dia (1000 mm2) and 60o vertex angle.
5. Cone is carried at the lower end of steel rod that passes through steel tube
of 36 mm dia.
6. Either the cone, or the tube or both can be forced in to the soil by jacks.
7. Cone is pushed 80 mm in to the ground and resistance is recorded, steel
tube is pushed up to the cone and resistance is recorded. Further, both
cone and tube are penetrated 200 mm and resistance is recorded. Total
resistance (qc) gives the CPT value expressed in kPa.
8. Cone resistance represents bearing resistance at the base and tube
resistance gives the skin frictional resistance. Total resistance can be
correlated
with
strength
properties,
density
and
deformation
characteristics of soil.
9. Correction for overburden pressure is applied.
10.Approximately, N = 10qc (kPa)
Advantages of SCPT are
1. Continuous resistance with depth is recorded.
2. Static resistance is more appropriate to determine static properties of soil.
3. Can be correlated with most properties of soil.
Disadvantages of SCPT are
1. Not very popular in India.
It is the bearing capacity that can be presumed in the absence of data based on
visual identification at the site. National Building Code of India (1983) lists the
values of presumptive SBC in kPa for different soils as presented below.
A : Rocks
Sl
No
1
2
3
4
Description
SBC (kPa)
3240
1620
880
440
B : Cohesionless Soils
Sl
No
1
2
3
4
5
6
Description
SBC (kPa)
440
440
245
150
245
100
C : Cohesive Soils
Sl
No
1
2
3
4
5
Description
SBC (kPa)
440
245
150
100
50
the thumb
Black cotton soil or other shrinkable or expansive clay in dry
condition (50 % saturation)
130 - 160
Note :
1. Use d for all cases without water. Use sat for calculations with water.
If simply density is mentioned use accordingly.
2. Fill all the available data with proper units.
3. Write down the required formula
4. If the given soil is sand, c = 0
7.12 Problems & Solutions
1. A square footing is to be constructed on a deep deposit of sand at a depth of
0.9 m to carry a design load of 300 kN with a factor of safety of 2.5. The
ground water table may rise to the ground level during rainy season. Design
the plan dimension of footing given sat = 20.8 kN/m3, Nc = 25, Nq = 34 and
N =32. (Feb 2002)
Data
C=0
F = 2.5
D = 0.9 m
RW1 = RW2 = 0.5
= 20.8 kN/m3
Nc = 25
Nq = 34
N = 32
qs
P
P
1
2 1.3cN c D( N q 1) RW 1 0.4BN RW 2
D
A B
F
B = 1.21 m
2. What will be the net ultimate bearing capacity of sand having = 36o and d
= 19 kN/m3 for (i) 1.5 m strip foundation and (ii) 1.5 m X 1.5 m square
footing. The footings are placed at a depth of 1.5 m below ground level.
Assume F = 2.5. Use Terzaghis equations. (Aug 2003)
35o
40o
Nc
57.8
95.7
Nq
41.4
81.3
N
42.4
100.4
qn = 2148.33 kPa
Square Footing
q n 1.3cN c D ( N q 1) 0.4BN
qn = 1994.43 kPa
3. A square footing 2.5 m X 2.5 m is built on a homogeneous bed of sand of
density 19 kN/m3 having an angle of shearing resistance of 36o. The depth of
foundation is 1.5 m below the ground surface. Calculate the safe load that
can be applied on the footing with a factor of safety of 3. Take bearing
capacity factors as Nc= 27, Nq = 30, N = 35. (Feb 2004)
Data
C=0
F=3
B = 2.5 m
D = 1.5 m
= 19 kN/m3
Nc = 27
Nq = 30
N = 35
qs
P
P
1
2 1.3cN c D( N q 1) RW 1 0.4BN RW 2
D
A B
F
q s 400 cN c D ( N q 1) RW 1 0.5BN RW 2
F1 D
RW1 = RW2 = 1
= 16.8 kN/m3
F = 4.02
b. Water table is 1.2 m below Ground Level
RW1 = 1, RW2 = 0.5
400 16.8 X 1.2 X 40.4 X 1 0.5 X 19.5 X 2 X 42.4 X 0.5
1
16.8 X 1.2
F
F = 3.227
c. Water table is 2.5 m below Ground Level
RW2 = 0.5(1+1.3/2) = 0.825
eff
1
16.8 X 1.2
F
F = 3.779
d. Water table is at Ground Level
RW1 = RW2 = 0.5
= 19.5 kN/m3
400 19.5 X 1.2 X 40.4 X 0.5 0.5 X 19.5 X 2 X 42.4 X 0.5
1
19.5 X 1.2
F
F = 2.353
5. A square footing located at a depth of 1.3 m below ground has to carry a safe
load of 800 kN. Find the size of footing if the desired factor of safety is 3.
Use Terzaghis analysis for general shear failure. Take c = 8 kPa, Nc = 37.2,
Nq = 22.5, N = 19.7. (Aug 2005)
d = 18 kN/m3 (Assumed)
c = 8 kPa
F=3
D = 1.3 m
Nc = 37.2
Nq = 22.5
N = 19.7
P = 800 kN
RW1 = RW2 = 1
qs
P
P
1
2 1.3cN c D( N q 1) RW 1 0.4BN RW 2
D
A B
F
B = 1.436 m
6. A square footing 2.8 m X 2.8 m is built on a homogeneous bed of sand of
density 18 kN/m3 and = 36o. If the depth of foundation is 1.8 m, determine
the safe load that can be applied on the footing. Take F = 2.5, Nc = 27, Nq =
36, N = 35. (Feb 2007)
Data
d = 18 kN/m3
c = 0 (sand)
F = 2.5
B = 2.8 m
D = 1.8 m
Nc = 27
Nq = 36
N = 35
P=?
RW1 = RW2 = 1
qs
P
P
1
2 1.3cN c D( N q 1) RW 1 0.4BN RW 2
D
A B
F
P = qs*B*B = 6023 kN
7. A strip footing 1 m wide and a square footing 1 m side are placed at a depth
of 1 m below the ground surface. The foundation soil has cohesion of 10
kPa, angle of friction of 26o and unit weight of 18 kN/m3. Taking bearing
capacity factor from the following table, calculate the safe bearing capacity
using Terzaghis theory. Use factor of safety of 3. (July 2008)
15o
20o
25o
Nc
12.9
17.7
25.1
Nq
4.4
7.0
12.7
N
2.5
5.0
9.7
q s cN c D ( N q 1) 0.5BN
F1 D =94.96 kPa
Square footing
q s 1.3cN c D ( N q 1) 0.4BN
F1 D =103.08 kPa
Nc = 61.35
Nq = 48.93
N = 74.03
F=3
RW1 = 1
RW2 = 0.5
qs
P
P
1
2 1.3cN c D( N q 1) RW 1 0.4BN RW 2
D
A B
F
B 3 6.14 B 2 3.56 0
B = 0.72 m
7.13 Exercise problems
1. Calculate the ultimate bearing capacity of 2 m wide square footing resting on
the ground surface of sand deposit with the following properties; unit weight
18.6 kN/m3, angle of internal friction 35o, Nq = 41.4, N = 42.2. Also
calculate ultimate bearing capacity if same footing is placed at a depth of 1
m below ground surface. (July 2006)
2. Determine the safe bearing capacity of a square footing 2.1 m X 2.1 m
placed at a depth of 1.5 m in a soil with a moist unit weight of 17.5 kN/m 3, c
= 15 kPa and = 20o. Take Nc=11.8, Nq = 3.9 and N = 1.7. What is the
change in safe bearing capacity if the water table rises to 0.5 m above
footing base if F = 3. (July 2002)
3. What will be the gross net bearing capacity of sand having = 36o and dry
unit weight of 19 kN/m3 for the following cases
a. 1.5 m wide strip foundation
b. 1.5 m X 1.5 m square footing
c. 0.75 m radius circular footing
The footings are placed at a depth of 1.5 m from ground surface. Assume factor
of safety of 1.5 and use Terzaghis bearing capacity equations
Nc
Nq
N
35
57.8
41.4
42.4
40
95.7
81.3
100.4
4. Design a square footing to carry a load of 1500 kN. Assume cohesionless
soil and adopt = 19 kN/m3, = 38o, Nq = 49, N = 44.1 and D = 1.5 m, F
=3. (Feb 2009)
5. A square footing 1.4 m X 1.4 m rests at a depth of 1 m in a saturated clay
layer 3 m deep. Take sat = 17.8 kN/m3, Nc = 5.7, Nq = 1, F = 2.5. Determine
the safe load if the unconfined compressive strength is 50 kPa.
6. A square footing 2m X 2m in plan and 1.5 m below ground level is
eccentrically loaded. The resultant is 0.2 m outside of centroid in one
direction. If c = 10 kPa, = 40 o, =16kN/m3, find the safe load carried by
footing. What would have been the increase in load carried, if the load was
concentric.
Nc
Nq
N
40
95.7
81.3
100.4
7. A 3 m X 4 m rectangular footing and 1.5 m below ground level is
eccentrically loaded. The resultant is 0.2 m outside of centroid widthwise,
and 0.3 m outside of centroid lengthwise. If c = 10 kPa, = 40 o, =16kN/m3,
find the safe load carried by footing. What would have been the increase in
load carried, if the load was concentric.
Nc
Nq
N
40
95.7
81.3
100.4
8. A 3 m X 4 m rectangular footing is eccentrically loaded. The resultant is 0.2
m outside of centroid widthwise, and 0.3 m outside of centroid lengthwise. If
c = 10 kPa, = 25o, =16kN/m3, find the safe load carried by footing. What
would have been the increase in load carried, if the load was concentric.
Refer to IS 6403-1981 for bearing capacity factors.
Note : As < 28o, the mode of failure is local shear failure. Hence correction
for bearing capacity factors and c are necessary
9. A circular footing is proposed on a cohesive ground with c = 8 kPa, = 30o,
and = 16.5 kN/m3. Find the safe load carried by the footing if the diameter
is 2.5 m. Refer to IS 6403-1981 for bearing capacity factors.
10.A square footing is proposed at a site to carry a load of 600 kN. The standard
penetration test indicated that the average N value after all the corrections
was 30 and the ground was granular. Design the size of footing. Refer to IS
6403-1981
11.The following are the results of plate load test on granular soil.
P (kN)
5
10
20
30
40
50
60
(mm) 0.15
0.3
0.62
0.91
1.22
3.85
7.67
Find the allowable bearing pressure if B = 2 m, Bp = 0.3 m, permissible
settlement in field = 12 mm.
12.The following are the results of plate load test on cohesive soil.
P (kN)
5
10
20
30
40
50
60
(mm) 0.15
0.3
0.62
0.91
1.22
3.85
7.67
Find the allowable bearing pressure if B = 2 m, B p = 0.3 m, permissible
settlement in field = 12 mm.
13.Find the safe bearing capacity of soil to support a 2 m X 3 m footing at a
depth of 1.8 m when the load is inclined at 10o to vertical. Take c = 10 kPa,
= 25o, =16 kN/m3. Find the safe load carried by the footing. Find the safe
load supported by the footing if eccentricities of 0.1 m widthwise and 0.12 m
lengthwise exist. Further, find the drop in safe load carried if water table
rises up to the base of footing.
14.A 2 m X 2 m square footing is proposed on a ground with c = 8 kPa, = 38 o,
= 18 kN/m3 at a depth of 1.5 m. If Nc = 61.35, Nq = 48.93, N = 74.03, find
the safe bearing capacity of soil in different seasons of the year. The depth of
Ground Water Table below Ground Level in January, March, May, July,
September and November are respectively 4 m, 6 m, 0 m, 1 m, 1.5 m, 2.5 m.
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
7)
8)
9)
7.15 References
1.
2.
3.
4.
IS6403-1981
5.
6.