Foundation settlements

Settlements of foundations
Stress distribution below point load

Stress below strip load

Stress below strip load

2:1 - method
2:1 - method at corner of footing

Settlement below footing

Settlements in clay and silt
Based on lab tests

Settlements in sand
Based on in situ tests
Immediate settlements in clay

Estimate of modulus of elasticity in

clay
Determination of compression index

Determination of settlements from

compression test
Principle of settlement calculation

Settlement below footing

Determination of precosolidation
pressure

Determination of coefficient of
consolidation (logarithmic)
Coefficient of consolidation (square
root)

Secondary consolidation
 Summary of settlement on clay

δ T = δ i + δ p + δ s

Can be important Usually most Important for

for soft clay important organic

„ To get an accurate estimate of settlement

must have good estimate of σ’p
„ Important to adjust for 3-D effect (Skempton-
Bjerum Modification) δp= ψ δp, ψ ≤ 1.0

Settlement on Sand
„ Schmertmann's Method
Strain influence factor at
Net bearing pressure midpoint of soil layer
I Δz Thickness of soil layer
δ = C1C2C3 q ' ∑ ε
Es Equivalent modulus
⎛σ ' ⎞ Depth factor
C1 = 1 − 0.5⎜⎜ zD ⎟⎟
⎝ q' ⎠
⎛ t ⎞ Secondary creep factor
C2 = 1 + 0.2 log⎜ ⎟
⎝ 0 .1 ⎠
C3 = 1.03 − 0.03L / B ≥ 0.73 Shape factor
 q'
I εp = 0.5 + 0.1
σ ' zp

Soil modulus from cone penetration

test (CPT)
Estimate of modulus of elasticity
from Standard penetration test (SPT)

Settlement analysis based on plate

load test
Estimate of settlements below
footing on sand

Settlements of footing on clay

qu = qu,0.3
Effect of plate diameter on bearing
capacity of plate on sand

qu = qu,0.3*B/0.3

Allowable settlement below building

Damage due to foundation
settlements

Floating foundation
Effect of ground water lowering from
tunnel on building settlements

Effect of trees on ground water near

building
Differential settlements between
adjacent buildings

Negative skin friction due to ground

water lowering
Swelling potential of soil below
building

Effect of pile installation on adjacent

building
 Allowable differential settlements
below structure

Tolerable settlement of buildings

Definitions of
parameters for
differential
settlement
技術規範