EXAMPLES

2. A strip footing is to be designed to carry a load of 800kN/m at a depth of 0.7m in gravelly sand. The appropriate shear
strength parameters are C'=0 and ø’=40o. Determine the width of the footing if a factor of safety of 3 against shear
failure is specified and assuming that the water table may rise to the foundation level. Above the water table the unit
weight of sand is 17kN/m3 and below the water table the saturated unit weight is 20kN/m 3
(a) 3. A footing 2.25m square is located at a depth of 1.5m in cohesionless sand. The angle of internal friction of the
sand is 380. The unit weight of the sand above the water table is 18kN/m 3 and the saturated unit weight is
20kN/m3. Determine the ultimate bearing capacity:
(i) If the water table is at the ground surface.
(ii) If the water table is at foundation level
(iii)If the water table is well below foundation level