Front. Struct. Civ. Eng.

https://doi.org/10.1007/s11709-018-0474-6

RESEARCH ARTICLE

Multivariable regression model for Fox depth correction

factor
Ravi Kant MITTALa* , Sanket RAWATa, Piyush BANSALb
a
Department of Civil Engineering, Birla Institute of Technology & Science, Pilani 333031, India
b
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
*
Corresponding author. E-mail: ravimittal@pilani.bits-pilani.ac.in

© Higher Education Press and Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature 2018
ABSTRACT This paper presents a simple and efficient equation for calculating the Fox depth correction factor used in
computation of settlement reduction due to foundation embedment. Classical solution of Boussinesq theory was used
originally to develop the Fox depth correction factor equations which were rather complex in nature. The equations were
later simplified in the form of graphs and tables and referred in various international code of practices and standard texts
for an unsophisticated and quick analysis. However, these tables and graphs provide the factor only for limited values of
the input variables and hence again complicates the process of automation of analysis. Therefore, this paper presents a
non-linear regression model for the analysis of effect of embedment developed using “IBM Statistical Package for the
Social Sciences” software. Through multiple iterations, the value of coefficient of determination is found to reach 0.987.
The equation is straightforward, competent and easy to use for both manual and automated calculation of the Fox depth
correction factor for wide range of input values. Using the developed equation, parametric study is also conducted in the
later part of the paper to analyse the extent of effect of a particular variable on the Fox depth factor.

KEYWORDS settlement, embedment, Fox depth correction factor, regression, multivariable

1 Introduction with regard to the coordinate axes, Fox depth correction

factor (If ) was proposed and expressed as
Depth correction factor is required to incorporate the effect
of depth of embedment on settlement of footing. Its X
5
β s Ys
incorporation might lead to up to 50% reduction in the s¼1
calculated settlement and an increase up to 100% in the If ¼ , (1)
ðβ1 þ β2 ÞY1
calculated allowable pressure, hence results in an economi-
cal design of foundation. Various depth factors have been where
proposed in the existing literature to integrate the effect of
embedment [1–3]. However, these are limited only to β1 ¼ 3 – 4v, (2)
sands (v = 0.3). Conversely, Fox [4] recommended a
generalized formula valid for a wide range of input β2 ¼ 5 – 12v þ 8v2 , (3)
variables to calculate the depth correction factor. The
equation idea was originally developed by Mindlin [5] β3 ¼ – 4vð1 – 2vÞ, (4)
who tried to extend the classical Boussinesq solutions to a
more generalised loading case. Mindlin’s analysis was β4 ¼ – 1 þ 4v – 8v2 , (5)
directly applied to an element of variable load acting at a
point to evaluate its vertical displacement. Through
applying proper boundary conditions and integration β5 ¼ – 4ð1 – 2vÞ2 , (6)

r ¼ 2Df , (7)
Article history: Received Aug 6, 2017; Accepted Nov 27, 2017
2 Front. Struct. Civ. Eng.

r12 ¼ L2 þ r2 , (8)

r22 ¼ B2 þ r2 , (9)

r32 ¼ L2 þ B2 þ r2 (10)

r42 ¼ L2 þ B2 , (11)

r4 þ B r þ L r43 – L3 – B3
Y1 ¼ Lln þ Bln 4 – , (12)
L B 3LB

r3 þ B r þ L r33 – r23 – r13 þ r3

Y2 ¼ Lln þ Bln 3 – , (13)
r1 r2 3LB

r2 ðB þ r2 Þr1 r2 ðL þ r1 Þr2
Y3 ¼ ln þ ln , (14)
L ðB þ r3 Þr B ðL þ r3 Þr

r2 ðr1 þ r2 – r3 – rÞ
Y4 ¼ , (15)
LB

LB
Y5 ¼ rarctan , (16)
rr3
where Df is the depth of footing, L is the length of footing,
B is the breadth of footing, and v is Poisson’s ratio.
Fox’s depth correction factor is used worldwide by
geotechnical practitioners and has been reported in
numerous researchers, code of practices and standard
texts [6–13]. In all the existing literature, its adoption is
essentially preferred in the form of simplified graphs and
tables since the formulae given by Fox [4] are complex Fig. 1 Fox depth correction curves for v= 0.5 [4,6]
which makes the associated calculation time consuming.
Indian Standard IS 8009 [6], Hong Kong Code of inconvenient to incorporate the tables in the automated
practice for foundations [7], Bowles [8] and Das [10,11] design process. Instead, a simple model with fewer terms
provide the factor in the form of graphs. The use of these based on the values given by Fox [4] will make the
complex graphs in the settlement analysis of foundation computation of the same much faster and easier. The
makes the process tedious as the user has to take the input accuracy in the estimation of the factor will further
from the graphs every time to estimate the settlement. improve as compared to the manual estimation of the value
Also, the risk of manual error always goes along. from the graphs and tables. Furthermore, it will also
Moreover, Bowles [8] had used a semi-log graph, and improve the computational efficiency of the optimization
therefore, for intermediate values, simple linear interpola- study. Therefore, this paper presents a convenient equation
tion also does not work. Another drawback of these graphs to estimate the Fox depth correction factor; valid for a
is that they are valid only for specific values of the broad range of input variables, developed using IBM
Poisson’s ratio (IS 8009 [6] is valid for v = 0.5 only as Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) soft-
shown in Fig. 1 and Bowles [8] is valid for v = 0.3 or 0.5). ware.
Hence, one has to rely on the intricate equations for the
analysis if the Poisson’s ratio is other than 0.3 or 0.5.
Bowles [14] solved the Fox equation [4] for different 2 Regression model
combinations of the inputs and provided the factor in the
form of a table (Table 1). Fox equations [4] were incorporated in MATLAB routine
Though the table is easy to read as compared to the and 19992 data points of Fox depth correction factor were
graphs, however linear interpolation would be required for developed with the use of different combinations of input
several inputs variables. In those cases, it becomes variables i.e., varying Df/B at interval of 0.01 within range
 Ravi Kant MITTAL et al. Multivariable regression model for Fox depth correction factor 3

Table 1 Fox depth correction factor for different input range [14]
L/B
Df/B
1.0 1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8 2.0 5.0
Poisson’s ratio = 0.0
0.05 0.950 0.954 0.957 0.959 0.961 0.963 0.973
0.10 0.904 0.911 0.917 0.922 0.925 0.928 0.948
0.20 0.825 0.838 0.847 0.855 0.862 0.867 0.903
0.40 0.710 0.727 0.740 0.752 0.761 0.769 0.827
0.60 0.635 0.652 0.666 0.678 0.689 0.698 0.769
0.80 0.585 0.600 0.614 0.626 0.637 0.646 0.723
1.00 0.549 0.563 0.576 0.587 0.598 0.607 0.686
2.00 0.468 0.476 0.484 0.492 0.499 0.506 0.577
Poisson’s ratio = 0.1
0.05 0.958 0.962 0.965 0.967 0.968 0.970 0.978
0.10 0.919 0.926 0.930 0.934 0.938 0.940 0.957
0.20 0.848 0.859 0.868 0.875 0.881 0.886 0.917
0.40 0.739 0.755 0.768 0.779 0.788 0.795 0.848
0.60 0.665 0.682 0.696 0.708 0.718 0.727 0.793
0.80 0.615 0.630 0.644 0.656 0.667 0.676 0.749
1.00 0.579 0.593 0.606 0.618 0.628 0.637 0.714
2.00 0.496 0.505 0.513 0.521 0.528 0.535 0.606
Poisson’s ratio = 0.3
0.05 0.979 0.981 0.982 0.983 0.984 0.985 0.990
0.10 0.954 0.958 0.962 0.964 0.966 0.968 0.977
0.20 0.902 0.911 0.917 0.923 0.927 0.930 0.951
0.40 0.808 0.823 0.834 0.843 0.851 0.857 0.899
0.60 0.738 0.754 0.767 0.778 0.788 0.796 0.852
0.80 0.687 0.703 0.716 0.728 0.738 0.747 0.813
1.00 0.650 0.665 0.678 0.689 0.700 0.709 0.780
2.00 0.562 0.571 0.580 0.588 0.596 0.603 0.675
Poisson’s ratio = 0.4
0.05 0.989 0.990 0.991 0.992 0.992 0.993 0.995
0.10 0.973 0.976 0.978 0.980 0.981 0.982 0.988
0.20 0.932 0.940 0.945 0.949 0.952 0.955 0.970
0.40 0.848 0.862 0.872 0.881 0.887 0.893 0.927
0.60 0.779 0.795 0.808 0.819 0.828 0.836 0.886
0.80 0.727 0.743 0.757 0.769 0.779 0.788 0.849
1.00 0.689 0.704 0.718 0.730 0.740 0.749 0.818
2.00 0.596 0.606 0.615 0.624 0.632 0.640 0.714
Poisson’s ratio = 0.5
0.05 0.997 0.997 0.998 0.998 0.998 0.998 0.999
0.10 0.988 0.990 0.991 0.992 0.993 0.993 0.996
0.20 0.960 0.966 0.969 0.972 0.974 0.976 0.985
0.40 0.886 0.899 0.908 0.916 0.922 0.926 0.953
0.60 0.818 0.834 0.847 0.857 0.866 0.873 0.917
0.80 0.764 0.781 0.795 0.807 0.817 0.826 0.883
1.00 0.723 0.740 0.754 0.766 0.777 0.786 0.852
2.00 0.622 0.633 0.643 0.653 0.662 0.670 0.747
4 Front. Struct. Civ. Eng.

0.05 to 2; L/B at an interval of 0.25 within 1 to 5 range and
Poisson’s ratio at an interval of 0.1 within 0 to 0.5 range.
Numerous regression models were attempted for their
accuracy to reach out to the most accurate ones in IBM
SPSS software. For each cycle, the standard regression
procedure was repeated. Different combinations in terms
of arithmetic operations were tried along with separate
combinations for curve fitting for each case. Some of the
examples of the attempted regression models have been
described in Table 2.
3 Results and discussion
Equation (17) depicts the finalized model of the non-linear
regression analysis performed using IBM SPSS Statistics
for the correction factor for depth of embedment.
Proposed equation of Fox depth correction factor:
Df L
1:001 þ 1:194 þ 0:842 þ 7:63v
If ¼ B B : (17)
Df L
1 þ 3:738 þ 0:839 þ 7:3v
B B
To illustrate the accuracy of the developed equation, data
mentioned in Bowles [14] table (Table 1) is compared with
the values predicted by the developed equation. This
regression model shows a good agreement between the
predicted values and the actual values (Fig. 2) since its
coefficient of determination is reported as 0.9874. It has
been found that more than 98.6% of the data has a
percentage error within 5%. The generalized equation for
calculating the Fox depth correction factor is uncompli-
cated, straightforward and valid for Df/B = 0.05 to 2, L/B =
1 to 5 and v = 0 to 0.5. The equation can be easily used by
the practitioners to automate the process of analysis of
settlement of foundation.
4 Parametric study
The parametric studies are critical in quantifying the extent
of effect of a particular parameter on the output [15]. The
main variables in the developed equation are Df/B, L/B and
Poisson’s ratio. Therefore, to quantify the exact effect of
different variables on Fox depth correction factor, the
parametric study becomes an important basis.
4.1 Effect of Df/B and L/B factors conjointly on Fox depth
factor
Figure 3(a) depicts the change in the Fox depth correction
factor with respect to Df/B for different L/B ratio. The
Poisson’s ratio is assumed to a constant value of 0.3 here. It
can be clearly observed that on increase in the Df/B ratio,
the depth factor decreases considerably as increase from
0.05 to 2 leads to a reduction of about 43.01% in the Fox
depth correction factor for L/B = 1. As the L/B ratio is
increased, the percentage reduction decreases as at L/B = 5
it is found to be 33.35% in comparison to 43.01% at L/B
= 1. To get a clear picture of effect of L/B effect on Fox
depth factor, effect of variation of L/B factor is studied for
specific Df/B ratios (Fig. 3(b)). It can be clearly observed
that the variation of L/B does not influence the Fox depth
factor much for low Df/B ratio (only 0.41% increase after

Table 2 Trial regression models for Fox depth correction factor

S. No. developed models R2

1 L D 0.857
If ¼ 0:021 – 0:188 f þ 0:306v þ 0:796
B B
  – 0:16  0:075
2 D L 0.878
If ¼ 0:6 f  1:51v
B B
3 L D 0.958
If ¼ 0:129log – 0:287log f þ 0:307v þ 0:583
B B
 0:376   – 0:171
4 D L 0.9703
If ¼ – 0:475 f þ 1:064  1:271v
B B
 0:331   – 0:184   – 0:0103
5 D L L 0.9814
If ¼ – 0:626 f  0:49v þ 1:181
B B B
 0:356   – 0:189   – 0:008
6 D L L 0.9820
If ¼ – 0:580 f  0:544v þ 1:14  1:055v
B B B
 0:355   – 0:189   – 0:008
7 D L L 0.9823
If ¼ – 0:585 f  0:537v þ 1:138 þ 0:007  23:78v
B B B
D L
1:001 þ 1:194 f þ 0:842 þ 7:63v
If ¼ B B
8 D L 0.9874
1 þ 3:738 f þ 0:839 þ 7:3v
B B
 Ravi Kant MITTAL et al. Multivariable regression model for Fox depth correction factor
Fig. 2 Comparison curve for predicted values relative to the
actual ones
Fig. 3 Effect of conjoint variation of (a) Df/B and (b) L/B on Fox
depth factor
increasing L/B ratio from 1 to 5). However, at higher Df/B
ratios, this effect can be enhanced since 17.40% increase in
Fox depth correction factor was observed on increasing the
L/B ratio from 1 to 5 at Df/B = 2. Overall, it can be
concluded that at a constant Poisson’s ratio, influence of
Df/B factor on Fox depth factor is very high in comparison
to the influence of L/B factor. However, a high L/B factor at
5
high Df/B ratio can intensify the effect.
4.2 Effect of Df/B and Poisson’s ratio conjointly on Fox
depth factor
The effect of variation of Df/B ratio at different Poisson’s
ratio (L/B fixed as constant to 2) follows the same pattern
as the behaviour at different L/B ratio (Fig. 3). Figure 4(a)
clearly depicts that on increase in the Df/B ratio at specific
Poisson’s ratio, the Fox depth factor reduces substantially.
This behaviour is slightly enhanced than the one observed
at specific L/B ratio (Fig. 3(a)). Increase in Df/B ratio from
0.05 to 2.00 leads to a reduction of about 45.04% in the
Fox depth correction factor for Poisson’s ratio = 0.1.
Figure 4(b) separately depicts the effect of Poisson’s ratio
on Fox depth correction factor and proves the significance
of the enhanced behaviour observed in the present case in
comparison to the previous section. At low Df/B ratio, the
effect of variation of Poisson’s ratio on Fox depth factor
follows the same pattern as Fig. 3, since only 3.19%
increase is observed on increasing the Poisson’s ratio to 5
times. However, this behaviour is enhanced at higher Df/B
ratio as the percentage increase goes up to 20.08%.
Therefore, it can be concluded that the influence of Df/B
factor on Fox depth factor is high than the Poisson’s ratio
at a constant L/B ratio. However, in comparison to L/B ratio
(Fig. 3), the effect of Poisson’s ratio on Fox depth factor is
slightly extensive.
Fig. 4 Effect of conjoint variation of (a) Df/B and (b) Poisson’s
ratio on Fox depth factor
6 Front. Struct. Civ. Eng.
4.3 Effect of L/B and Poisson’s ratio conjointly on Fox
depth factor
Now, as it has already been substantiated that the effect of
Df/B factor is most significant on Fox depth correction
factor. Also, Poisson’s ratio (at constant L/B) affects the
Fox depth factor somewhat considerably as compared to L/
B factor (at constant Poisson’s ratio). Moreover, this
behaviour is more evident at high Df/B ratio. Figure 5
further validates the effect of mutual variation of L/B and
Poisson’s ratio at constant Df/B ratio (Df/B = 1). It can be
clearly observed from Fig. 5 that the effect of variation of
Poisson’s ratio on Fox depth factor at a specific L/B
follows the same pattern as the reverse variation. In both
the cases, the increase of 5 times in the abscissa value lead
to approx. 23% increase in the Fox depth factor. At higher
L/B ratio (Fig. 5(a)) or higher Poisson’s ratio (Fig. 5(b)),
the percentage increase is observed to be reduced but is
essentially the same for both the cases. Therefore, it can be
concluded that though the mutual variation of L/B and
Poisson’s ratio affect the Fox depth factor, this effect tends
to reduce at their higher ratios.
Fig. 5 Effect of conjoint variation of (a) Poisson’s ratio and
(b) L/B on Fox depth factor
5 Advantages of the developed equation
5.1 Optimization studies
Economy in the design of structural members has gained
significant attention recently along with the earlier
objectives of safety and serviceability. However, this
design process is primarily a trial and error procedure
depending upon the load combinations obtained during
analysis. Multiple trials are performed to reach to a design
that incurs lesser construction cost. Since, performing
these multiple iterations manually, is a tedious and time-
consuming process, hence optimization studies started
gaining immense attention to lower down the computa-
tional cost. Numerous studies have been performed to
optimize the foundation while successively improving
either the type of constraints functions or number of design
variables [16–22]. On the whole. it can be believed that
settlement of footing is an important constraint in the
optimization study of foundations. Moreover, the depth of
embedment is also found to be a controlling design
variable in existing literature [19,20,22]. To account the
actual behaviour of the depth of embedment, it becomes
necessary to incorporate the depth correction factor into
optimization algorithm. Fox depth correction is widely
recognised correction factor to consider the depth of
embedment and has been advocated by many international
codes of practices and text books as already discussed [6–
13]. Most of the existing literature recommends the use of
Fox depth correction curves since the original Fox depth
equation contains large number of intricate terms and it
becomes unfeasible to use the equation. Moreover, in the
iterative optimization process, it also becomes necessary to
increase the number of constraints for the actual Fox
equation as it contains many logarithmic terms which has a
particular range of functioning. Also, the large number of
terms present in Fox depth equation can considerably
reduce the computational efficiency of an optimization
process. On the contrary, the developed equation contains
few simple terms which has no likelihood of being in the
zone of indeterminacy like the logarithmic term in the
original Fox equation. Furthermore, the developed equa-
tion can be easily incorporated within any program or
software to reflect the effect of embedment.
5.2 Other domains
Apart from the optimization studies, the developed
equation is very much suitable for every other area
where the settlement of coarse or fine-grained soils need to
be evaluated. Indian Standard IS 8009 [6] provides the
graph of Fox depth correction factor for Poisson’s ratio =
0.5 only. As the Poisson’s ratio is found to be the second
most effective input parameter in the parametric study, the
designer is bound to take the original value of Poisson’s
ratio and cannot use the depth correction factor at default
value of 0.5. However, it becomes difficult to assess the
factor at any other value of Poisson’s ratio as Indian
Standard IS 8009 [6] does not specify any way to calculate
the values at other Poisson’s ratio. The same problem
persists in Hong Kong code of practice for foundations [7].
Though multiple graphs are referred in the code, yet for
 Ravi Kant MITTAL et al. Multivariable regression model for Fox depth correction factor
intermediate values of Poisson’s ratio, inter-graphs inter-
polation would be required. Moreover, it is also compli-
cated to read the accurate value from graph. Therefore, for
a prompt and accurate measurement of the depth correction
factor during practical execution and hand calculation
during third party inspection, the developed equation
demonstrates its worth. Furthermore, the equation is
equally beneficial for the academic organizations in
teaching applications and the associated future researchers.
6 Conclusions
An efficient and straightforward equation valid for a wide
range of input variables (Df/B = 0.05 to 2.00, L/B = 1 to 5
and v = 0 to 0.5) is proposed to estimate the Fox depth
correction factor. This factor is widely used in incorporat-
ing the effect of depth of embedment on the settlement of a
footing. The developed multivariable non-linear regression
model of the data given by Fox [4] shows a good
agreement between the predicted values and the values
reported by Bowles [14], making it suitable for design
engineers to automate the analysis for the realistic
prediction of settlement of footing. Moreover, integration
of the developed equation will also make the process rapid
and efficient as compared to incorporating graphs or tables
in the optimization study of the foundation.
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