Field Ultimate Bearing Capacity

Using Standard Penetration Test (SPT)

Evaluate at Depth 1 Meter

1. Determine the SPT (N-Values)

➢ From the Borelog @ Depth 1 Meter; SPT (N) = 37

2. Determine the Soil Description

➢ From the Borelog @ Depth 1 Meter; Soil Description = Sandy Silt

3. Determine the soil shear parameters

➢ From our PPT Lecture (Title: 4.0 Soil Bearing Capacity) Slide No. 55
➢ Use the Lower Left Table because the soil description is a Sandy Silt.

4. Determine the Cohesion

➢ SPT (N) = 37; if SPT is more than 30 use SPT (N) = 30
➢ C = 4000 kg/m3 * 9.81/1000 = 39.24 KPa

5. Determine the Angle of Friction

➢ SPT (N) = 37; if SPT is more than 30 use SPT (N) = 30
➢ Angle of Friction = 20 Degrees

6. Determine the Unit Weight

➢ From our PPT Lecture (Title: 4.0 Soil Bearing Capacity) Slide No. 56
➢ Use the lowest table for the Unit Weight
➢ SPT (N) = 37; if SPT is more than 30 use SPT (N) = 30
➢ Assume No Water Table; Therefore, the Unit Weight = 1916 kg/m3
➢ Unit Weight = 18.8 KN/m3

7. Use Factor of Safety = 3.0

8. Use the Spreadsheet to Compute for the Allowable Soil Bearing Capacity
➢ See attached excel file at tab Depth = 1.0 M
Evaluate at Depth 1.5 Meter

1. Determine the SPT (N-Values)

➢ From the Borelog @ Depth 1 Meter; SPT (N) = 11

2. Determine the Soil Description

➢ From the Borelog @ Depth 1 Meter; Soil Description = Sandy Silt

3. Determine the soil shear parameters

➢ From our PPT Lecture (Title: 4.0 Soil Bearing Capacity) Slide No. 55
➢ Use the Lower Left Table because the soil description is a Sandy Silt.

4. Determine the Cohesion

➢ SPT (N) = 11; Assume SPT (N) = 15
➢ C = 3000 kg/m3 * 9.81/1000 = 29.43 KPa

5. Determine the Angle of Friction

➢ SPT (N) = 11; Assume SPT (N) = 15
➢ Angle of Friction = 16 Degrees

6. Determine the Unit Weight

➢ From our PPT Lecture (Title: 4.0 Soil Bearing Capacity) Slide No. 56
➢ Use the lowest table for the Unit Weight
➢ SPT (N) = 11; Assume SPT (N) = 15
➢ Assume No Water Table; Therefore, the Unit Weight = 1756 kg/m3
➢ Unit Weight = 17.2 KN/m3

7. Use Factor of Safety = 3.0

8. Use the Spreadsheet to Compute for the Allowable Soil Bearing Capacity
➢ See attached excel file at tab Depth = 1.5 M
Evaluate at Depth 2.5 Meter

1. Determine the SPT (N-Values)

➢ From the Borelog @ Depth 1 Meter; SPT (N) = 8

2. Determine the Soil Description

➢ From the Borelog @ Depth 1 Meter; Soil Description = Sandy Clay

3. Determine the soil shear parameters

➢ From our PPT Lecture (Title: 4.0 Soil Bearing Capacity) Slide No. 55
➢ Use the lower right table because the soil description is a Sandy Clay.

4. Determine the Cohesion

➢ SPT (N) = 8
➢ C = 5100 kg/m3 * 9.81/1000 = 50.031 KPa

5. Determine the Angle of Friction

➢ SPT (N) = 8
➢ Angle of Friction = 5 Degrees

6. Determine the Unit Weight

➢ From our PPT Lecture (Title: 4.0 Soil Bearing Capacity) Slide No. 56
➢ Use the lowest table for the Unit Weight
➢ SPT (N) = 8
➢ Assume No Water Table; Therefore, the Unit Weight = 1597 kg/m3
➢ Unit Weight = 15.67 KN/m3

7. Use Factor of Safety = 3.0

8. Use the Spreadsheet to Compute for the Allowable Soil Bearing Capacity
➢ See attached excel file at tab Depth = 2.5 M