CHAPTER 3

SHALLOW FOUNDATIONS: ULTIMATE BEARING CAPACITY

Foundation – part of a structure that transfer the load of the structure to the soil which it is resting.
Two Types:

 Deep Foundations
 Shallow Foundations
A shallow foundation to perform satisfactorily must be:
-Safe against shear failure of soil
-Safe against excessive displacement
Soil type with corresponding failure
Dense Sand/Stiff Cohesive Soil General Shear Failure
Sand/ Clayey Soil w/ medium Compaction Local Shear Failure
Loose Soil Punching Shear Failure.
Terzhagi’s Ultimate Bearing Capacity
Foundations with foundation depth, Df, of four times the width are defined as shallow foundation.
Formulas:

• Continous or Strip Foundation

1
𝑞𝑢 = 𝑐 ′ 𝑁𝑐 + 𝑞𝑁𝑞 + 𝛾𝐵𝑁𝛾
2
• Square Foundation
𝑞𝑢 = 1.3𝑐 ′ 𝑁𝑐 + 𝑞𝑁𝑞 + 0.4 𝛾𝐵𝑁𝛾
• Circular Foundation
𝑞𝑢 = 1.3𝑐 ′ 𝑁𝑐 + 𝑞𝑁𝑞 + 0.3𝛾𝐵𝑁𝛾
For FOUNDATIONS that exhibit the LOCAL SHEAR FAILURE mode in soils.
• Continous or Strip Foundation
2 1
𝑞𝑢 = 𝑐 ′ 𝑁′𝑐 + 𝑞𝑁′𝑞 + 𝛾𝐵𝑁′𝛾
3 2
• Square Foundation
𝑞𝑢 = 0.867𝑐 ′ 𝑁′𝑐 + 𝑞𝑁′𝑞 + 0.4 𝛾𝐵𝑁′𝛾
• Circular Foundation
𝑞𝑢 = 0.867𝑐 ′ 𝑁′𝑐 + 𝑞𝑁′𝑞 + 0.3𝛾𝐵𝑁′𝛾

• Wherein:
qu = ultimate bearing capacity
c’ = cohesion of soil
γ = unit weight of soil
q = γDf
Nc, Nq, Ny = non dimensional bearing capacity factors and are functions of the soil friction angle, Φ’

• N’c, N’q, N’y = modified bearing capacity factors

2
Can be computed by replacing Φ’ by Φ’ = 𝑡𝑎𝑛−1 (3 𝑡𝑎𝑛 Φ’)

3.4: FACTOR OF SAFETY

Factor of Safety’s relation to Load Bearing Capacity (𝑞𝑎𝑙𝑙 )

 In calculating the gross allowable load bearing capacity of shallow foundations requires the
application of factor of safety (FS) to the gross ultimate bearing capacity.
𝑞𝑢
𝑞𝑎𝑙𝑙 =
𝐹𝑆
𝑛𝑒𝑡 𝑢𝑙𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝑏𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑐𝑎𝑝𝑎𝑐𝑖𝑡𝑦
𝑁𝑒𝑡 𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠 𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝑠𝑜𝑖𝑙 =
𝐹𝑆
Net Ultimate Bearing Capacity
 The net ultimate bearing capacity is defined as the ultimate pressure per unit area of the
foundation that can be supported by the soil in excess of the pressure caused by the surrounding
soil at the foundation level. If the difference between the unit weight of concrete used in the
foundation and the unit weight of soil surrounding is assumed to be negligible, then
𝑞𝑛𝑒𝑡(𝑢) = 𝑞𝑢 − 𝑞
Where:
𝑞𝑛𝑒𝑡(𝑢) = 𝑛𝑒𝑡 𝑢𝑙𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝑏𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑐𝑎𝑝𝑎𝑐𝑖𝑡𝑦
𝑞 = 𝛾𝐷𝑓
So
𝑞𝑢 − 𝑞
𝑞𝑎𝑙𝑙(𝑛𝑒𝑡) =
𝐹𝑆

3.5: MODIFICATION OF BEARING CAPACITY EQUATIONS FOR WATER TABLE

CASE I

• If the water table is located so that 0 ≤ 𝐷1 ≤ 𝐷𝑓 , the factor 𝑞 in the bearing capacity equations
take form
𝑞 = 𝑒𝑓𝑓𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑟𝑔𝑒 = 𝐷1 𝛾 + 𝐷2 (𝛾𝑠𝑎𝑡 − 𝛾𝑤 )
Where
𝛾𝑠𝑎𝑡 = 𝑠𝑎𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡 𝑤𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑠𝑜𝑖𝑙
𝛾𝑤 = 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡 𝑤𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟
CASE II

• For a water table located so that 0 ≤ 𝑑 ≤ 𝐵, where 𝑞 = 𝛾𝐷𝑓

• In this case, the factor 𝛾 in the last term of the bearing capacity equations must be replaced by the
factor

CASE III
• When the water table is located so the 𝑑 ≥ 𝐵, the water will have no
effect in the ultimate bearing capacity

GENERAL BEARING CAPACITY EQUATION

Meyerhof (1963) take into account the

shearing resistance along the failure
surface in the soil above the bottom of the
foundation.
 𝟏
𝒒𝒖 = 𝒄′𝑵𝒄 𝑭𝒄𝒔 𝑭𝒄𝒅 𝑭𝒄𝒊 + 𝒒𝑵𝒒 𝑭𝒒𝒔 𝑭𝒒𝒅 𝑭𝒒𝒊 + 𝜸𝑩𝑵𝜸 𝑭𝜸𝒔 𝑭𝜸𝒅 𝑭𝜸𝒊
𝟐
𝒄′ = 𝒄𝒐𝒉𝒆𝒔𝒊𝒐𝒏
𝒒 = 𝒆𝒇𝒇𝒆𝒄𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒂𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒍𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒍 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒃𝒐𝒕𝒕𝒐𝒎 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒅𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏
𝜸 = 𝒖𝒏𝒊𝒕 𝒘𝒆𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝒔𝒐𝒊𝒍
𝑩 = 𝒘𝒊𝒅𝒕𝒉 𝒐𝒇 𝒇𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒅𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 (𝒅𝒊𝒂𝒎𝒆𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒂 𝒄𝒊𝒓𝒄𝒖𝒍𝒂𝒓 𝒇𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒅𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏)
𝑭𝒄𝒔 , 𝑭𝒒𝒔 , 𝑭𝜸𝒔 = 𝒔𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒆 𝒇𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒔

𝑭𝒄𝒅 , 𝑭𝒒𝒅 , 𝑭𝜸𝒅 = 𝒅𝒆𝒑𝒕𝒉 𝒇𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒔

𝑭𝒄𝒊 , 𝑭𝒒𝒊 , 𝑭𝜸𝒊 = 𝒍𝒐𝒂𝒅 𝒊𝒏𝒄𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒇𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒔

𝑵𝒄 , 𝑵𝒒 , 𝑵𝜸 = 𝒃𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒄𝒂𝒑𝒂𝒄𝒊𝒕𝒚 𝒇𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒔

BEARING CAPACITY FACTORS

For frictional, weightless soil:
∅′ 𝝅𝒕𝒂𝒏∅′
𝑵𝒒 = 𝒕𝒂𝒏𝟐 (𝟒𝟓 + )𝒆
𝟐

For cohesive-frictional, weightless soil:

𝑵𝒄 = (𝑵𝒒 − 𝟏)𝒄𝒐𝒕∅′

For soil with self-weight:

𝑵𝜸 = 𝟐 (𝑵𝒒 + 𝟏)𝒕𝒂𝒏∅′

Shape, Depth, Inclination Factors

EFFECT OF SOIL COMPRESSIBILTY
𝟏
𝒒𝒖 = 𝒄′𝑵𝒄 𝑭𝒄𝒔 𝑭𝒄𝒅 𝑭𝒄𝒄 + 𝒒𝑵𝒒 𝑭𝒒𝒔 𝑭𝒒𝒅 𝑭𝒒𝒄 + 𝜸𝑩𝑵𝜸 𝑭𝜸𝒔 𝑭𝜸𝒅 𝑭𝜸𝒄
𝟐
𝑭𝒄𝒄 , 𝑭𝒒𝒄 , 𝑭𝜸𝒄 = 𝒔𝒐𝒊𝒍 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒑𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒃𝒊𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒚 𝒇𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒔

To calculate the soil compressibility factors, the following steps should be taken:
1. Calculate the rigidity index, 𝐼𝑟 , of the soil at a depth approximately B/2 below the bottom of the
foundation, or
𝑮𝒔
𝑰𝒓 = ′
𝒄 + 𝒒′ 𝒕𝒂𝒏∅′

𝐺𝑠 = 𝑠ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑟 𝑚𝑜𝑑𝑢𝑙𝑢𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑜𝑖𝑙

𝑞 = 𝑒𝑓𝑓𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑏𝑢𝑟𝑑𝑒𝑛 𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑒 𝑎𝑡 𝑎 𝑑𝑒𝑝𝑡ℎ 𝑜𝑓 𝐷𝑓 + 𝐵/2
2. The critical rigidity index, 𝐼𝑟(𝑐𝑟) , can expressed as
𝟏 𝑩 ∅′
𝑰𝒓(𝒄𝒓) = {𝒆𝒙𝒑 [(𝟑. 𝟑𝟎 − 𝟎. 𝟒𝟓 ) 𝐜𝐨𝐭 (𝟒𝟓 − )]}
𝟐 𝑳 𝟐
3. If 𝐼𝑟 ≥ 𝐼𝑟(𝑐𝑟) , then
𝑭𝒄𝒄 = 𝑭𝒒𝒄 = 𝑭𝜸𝒄 = 𝟏
However, if 𝐼𝑟 < 𝐼𝑟(𝑐𝑟) , then
𝑩 (𝟑. 𝟎𝟕 𝒔𝒊𝒏∅′ )(𝒍𝒐𝒈𝟐𝑰𝒓 )
𝑭𝜸𝒄 = 𝑭𝒒𝒄 = 𝐞𝐱𝐩 {(−𝟒. 𝟒 + 𝟎. 𝟔 ) 𝒕𝒂𝒏∅′ + [ ]}
𝑳 𝟏 + 𝒔𝒊𝒏∅′
For ∅ = 0;
𝑩
𝑭𝒄𝒄 = 𝟎. 𝟑𝟐 + 𝟎. 𝟏𝟐 + 𝟎. 𝟔𝟎 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝑰𝒓
𝑳
For ∅′ > 0;
𝟏 − 𝑭𝒒𝒄
𝑭𝒄𝒄 = 𝑭𝒒𝒄 −
𝑵𝒒 𝒕𝒂𝒏∅′

Eccentrically Loaded Foundation

In several instances, as with the base of a retaining wall, foundations are subjected to moments in
addition to the vertical load. In such cases, the distribution of pressure by the foundation on the soil is not
uniform. The nominal distribution of pressure is:

𝑄 6𝑀
𝑞𝑚𝑎𝑥 = +
𝐵𝐿 𝐵2 𝐿

𝑄 6𝑀
𝑞𝑚𝑖𝑛 = -
𝐵𝐿 𝐵2 𝐿
Where
Q = Total Vertical Load
M = Moment On the Foundation
Eccentricity:
𝑀
e=𝑄

𝑄 6𝑒
𝑞𝑚𝑎𝑥 = (1+ )
𝐵𝐿 𝐵
𝑄 6𝑒
𝑞𝑚𝑖𝑛 = (1- )
𝐵𝐿 𝐵

when e = B/6 ; 𝑞𝑚𝑖𝑛 = 0

when e > B/6 ; 𝑞𝑚𝑖𝑛 will become negative

4𝑄
So 𝑞𝑚𝑎𝑥 =
3𝐿(𝐵−2𝑒)

Ultimate Bearing Capacity under Eccentric Loading- One-Way Eccentricity

 Effective Area Method
 Prakash and Saran Theory
 Reduction Factor Method

1. Effective Area Method

-In 1953, Meyerhof proposed a theory that is generally referred to as the effective area method.

Step 1: Determine the effective dimensions of the foundation:

B’= effective width = B – 2e
L’ = effective length = L
Step 2.
-Calculate the ultimate bearing capacity using this equation:
1
𝑞′𝑢 = c’𝑁𝑐 𝐹𝑐𝑠 𝐹𝑐𝑑 𝐹𝑐𝑖 + q𝑁𝑞 𝐹𝑞𝑠 𝐹𝑞𝑑 𝐹𝑞𝑖 + 2 γ𝑁γ 𝐹γ𝑠 𝐹γ𝑑 𝐹γ𝑖

where:
c’= cohesion
q = effective stress at the level of the bottom of the foundation
γ = unit weight of soil
B = Width of foundation (diameter for a circular foundation)
𝐹𝑐𝑠 𝐹𝑞𝑠 𝐹γ𝑠 = Shape factors

𝐹𝑞𝑑 𝐹𝑐𝑑 𝐹γ𝑑 = Depth factors

𝐹𝑐𝑖 𝐹𝑞𝑖 𝐹γ𝑖 = Load inclination factors

𝑁𝑐 𝑁γ 𝑁𝑞 = Bearing capacity factors.

Where:
Ø′ ′
𝑁𝑞 = 𝑡𝑎𝑛2 (45+ 2 ) 𝑒 π𝑡𝑎𝑛Ø

𝑁𝑐 = (𝑁𝑞 -1) cotØ′

𝑁γ = 2(𝑁𝑞 +1) tanØ′

Step 3.
-The total ultimate load that the foundation can sustain is:

𝑄𝑢𝑙𝑡 = (𝑞′𝑢 )(A’)

A’= effective area
It is important to note that q9 u is the ultimate bearing capacity of a foundation of width B9 5 B 2 2e with a
centric load. However, the actual distribution of soil reaction at ultimate load.𝑞′𝑢 (e) is the average load per
unit area of the foundation. Thus,
𝑞 ′𝑢 (𝐵−2𝑒)
𝑞′𝑢 (e) =
𝐵

2. Prakash and Saran Theory

According to this theory, the ultimate load per unit length of a continuous foundation can be
estimated as,
1
𝑄𝑢 = 𝑞𝑢(𝑒) B= B[ c’ 𝑁𝑐(𝑒) + q𝑁𝑞(𝑒) + γ𝐵𝑁γ(𝑒) ]
2

Where
𝑁𝑐(𝑒) , 𝑁𝑞(𝑒) , 𝑁γ(𝑒) =bearing capacity factors under eccentric loading

For rectangular foundations, the ultimate load can given as,

1
𝑄𝑢 = BL[ c’ 𝑁𝑐(𝑒) 𝐹𝑐𝑠(𝑒) + q𝑁𝑞(𝑒) 𝐹𝑞𝑠(𝑒) + 2 γ𝐵𝑁γ(𝑒) 𝐹γ𝑠(𝑒) ]
Where:
𝐿
𝐹𝑐𝑠(𝑒) = 1.2-0.025(𝐵) (with a minimum of 1)

𝐹𝑞𝑠(𝑒) = 1

𝐵 3 𝑒 𝐵 2
+ [0.43 - ( )( )]( )
2𝑒
𝐹γ𝑠(𝑒) = 1.0 + ( 𝐵 − 0.68)
𝐿 2 𝐵 𝐿

3. Reduction Factor Method (For Granular Soil)

-Based on that analysis, they proposed

qu (eccentric)
Rk = 1 -
qu (centric)

𝑅𝑘 = reduction factor
𝑞𝑢 (𝑒) = average ultimate bearing capacity of eccentrically loaded continuous foundations
𝑞𝑢 = ultimate bearing capacity of centrally loaded continuous foundations
The magnitude of 𝑅𝑘
𝑒 𝑘
𝑅𝑘 = a( )
𝐵

𝑞𝑢 (𝑒) = 𝑞𝑢 (1-𝑅𝑘 )
𝑒 𝑘
= 𝑞𝑢 (1-a( ) )
𝐵

Where
1
𝑞𝑢 = q𝑁𝑞 𝐹𝑞𝑑 + γ𝐵𝑁γ 𝐹γ𝑑
2

Based on several laboratory model tests, Patra et al. (2012a) have concluded that

2𝑒
𝑞𝑢 (𝑒) = 𝑞𝑢 (1- )
𝐵

The ultimate load per unit length of the foundation can be given as
 𝑄𝑢 =B𝑞𝑢 (𝑒)
3.11 Bearing Capacity – Two-way Eccentricity
𝟏 𝟏
 Case I - 𝒆𝑳 ⁄𝑳 ≥ 𝟔
and 𝒆𝑩⁄𝑩 ≥ 𝟔
𝟏
𝑨′ = 𝑩 𝑳
𝟐 𝟏 𝟏
Where:
𝟑𝒆𝑩
𝑩𝟏 = 𝑩(𝟏. 𝟓 − )
𝑩
𝟑𝒆𝑳
𝑳𝟏 = 𝑳(𝟏. 𝟓 − )
𝑳
′
If 𝑳 is the larger of the two dimensions, 𝑩𝟏 and 𝑳𝟏
𝑨′
𝑩′ =
𝑳′

𝟏
 Case II - 𝒆𝑳 ⁄𝑳 < 𝟎. 𝟓 and 𝟎 < 𝒆𝑩 ⁄𝑩 < 𝟔
𝟏
𝑨′ =
(𝑳 +𝑳 )𝑩
𝟐 𝟏 𝟐
The magnitudes of 𝑳𝟏 and 𝑳𝟐 can be determined from

𝑨′
𝑩′ =
𝑳𝟏 𝒐𝒓 𝑳𝟐 (𝑤ℎ𝑖𝑐ℎ𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑟 𝑖𝑠 𝑙𝑎𝑟𝑔𝑒𝑟)

The effective length, 𝑳′ = 𝑳𝟏 𝒐𝒓 𝑳𝟐 (𝑤ℎ𝑖𝑐ℎ𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑟 𝑖𝑠 𝑙𝑎𝑟𝑔𝑒𝑟)

𝟏
 Case III - 𝒆𝑳 ⁄𝑳 < 𝟔 and 𝟎 < 𝒆𝑩⁄𝑩 < 𝟎. 𝟓
𝟏
𝑨′ = (𝑩 +𝑩𝟐 )𝑳
𝟐 𝟏
 The magnitudes of 𝑩𝟏 and 𝑩𝟐 can be determined from

𝑨′
𝑩′ = 𝑳′
; The effective length, 𝑳′ = 𝑳
𝟏 𝟏
 Case IV - 𝒆𝑳 ⁄𝑳 < 𝟔 and 𝒆𝑩⁄𝑩 < 𝟔
𝟏
𝑨′ = 𝑳𝟐 𝑩 + (𝑩 + 𝑩𝟐 )(𝑳 − 𝑳𝟐 )
𝟐
Where:
𝑳′ = 𝑳
and
𝑨′
𝑩′ =
𝑳

The magnitudes of 𝑩𝟐 and 𝑳𝟐 can be determined from

 Case V - CIRCULAR FOUNDATION
𝑨′
𝑳′ =
𝑩′