Synopsis: Settlement of Foundations on sand and gravel.

Based on numerous experiments and results Terzaghi stated that all buildings resting on sand had
settled less than 75 mm whereas the settlement of buildings on clay quite often exceeded 500
mm. this study analysis the large number of case records of settlements on sand and gravel
(assemble by Burbidge) to verify the validity of Terzaghis statement. The objective of the study
is to develop simple correlations.

Case studies tabulated in the Appendix of the paper shows that except a few anomalies this
statement holds true for buildings. However, settlements surpass 75 mm for tanks and
embankments on very loose sands.

The results of statistical analysis of over 200 case records of settlements on sand and gravel has
resulted in a simple correlation between “af” (the foundation subgrade compressibility) and the
average SPT blow count over the depth of influence. The accuracy of the correlation is adequate
and is practically good enough.

It is also found that the relative depth of influence beneath the foundation decreases significantly
as the value of B increases. For normally consolidated sand, the relationship between the
effective Foundation pressure and settlement is approximately near up to about one third of the
bearing capacity. The effect of over consolidation and loading at the base of the excavations is to
reduce the foundation subgrade compressibility for bearing pressure below the effective pre-
consolidation pressure.

It is also concluded that for D/B less than equal to 3, the depth of foundation and the level of
water table do not have a significant influence on “af”. However, the effect of increasing L/B is
to increase “af” by up to about 50%. In case of foundations the inherent variability of the ground
frequently give rise to the settlements which differ from the mean by the factor of 1.5 or more.
The field measurements show that time-dependent settlements take place on sands and Gravels.
For static loads this additional settlement is very small and reach to 50% at the end of
construction settlement after about 30 years. For fluctuating loads time dependent settlements are
much larger.