CHAP 4: BEARING CAPACITY OF SHALLOW FOUNDATION

WEEK 10 - 11 ~ CHAP. 4
BEARING CAPACITY OF SHALLOW FOUNDATION

HAIROL ANUAR HARON

FKA Level 5-49, 07-3818345

LEARNING OUTCOMES: https://classroom.google.com/h

1) Explain the difference between settlement-induced vertical deformations and bearing capacity-induced vertical
deformations in soil.
2) Explain the difference between general shear failure and local shear failure in bearing capacity.
3) Explain the three components to bearing capacity from Terzaghi's bearing capacity equation.
4) Compute ultimate bearing capacity for a strip, square, or circular load.
5) Compute the allowable bearing capacity.
6) Explain the difference between gross and net bearing capacity.
7) Compute net allowable bearing capacity.
8) Develop a design bearing capacity chart considering both an allowable footing settlement and net allowable bearing
capacity.

TIPS :::::::>>

1ST STEP = you must know WHAT THE LEARNING OUTCOME FOR THIS WEEK before watching the YouTube channel that I
gave you

2ND STEP = Watch topic "CEEN 341 - Lecture 25 - Bearing Capacity Part I & CEEN 341 - Lecture 26 - Bearing Capacity Part II"
on YouTube channel from Assc. Prof. Dr. Kevin Franke (Brigham Young University, USA) repeatedly until you understand the
CONCEPTS about it.
@
2ND STEP = Watch topic "Shallow Foundation - 01 Introduction + Shallow Foundation - 02 Example of Terzaghi's Equation +
Shallow Foundation - 04 Effect of Ground Water Table on Bearing Capacity" on YouTube channel from Assc. Prof. Dr.
Kamarudin Ahmad (UTM) repeatedly until you understand how important it's.

REFER CLOSELY ON YOUR NOTE ECG353 Week 10 - 11 Chapter 4

LEARNING OUTCOMES
Week 10-11 :Coverage ~ Definition of bearing capacity
terms, failure mechanisms in shallow foundation,
determination of ultimate bearing capacity
Learning outcomes:
At the end of this lecture/week the students would
be able to:
i. Identify various types of foundations. (CO1PO1)
ii. Identify types of failure and factors contribute to this failure.
(CO1PO1)
iii. Analyse bearing capacity problem using Terzaghi’s
formulae for strip, circular, square and rectangular footing.
(CO2PO3)
iv. Analyse the effect of ground water table to the soil bearing
capacity. (CO2PO3)
OUTLINE of PRESENTATION
3.1 Introduction & Types of Foundation

3.2 Factors in the Design of Shallow

Foundations and modes of failure

3.3 Definitions of Bearing Capacity Terms &

(TERZAGHI’S BEARING CAPACITY
THEORY)

3.4 Effect of Ground Water Table on Bearing

Capacity
3.1 INTRODUCTION & TYPES OF FOUNDATION

A foundation is the supporting base of a structure

which forms the interface across which the loads are
transmitted to the underlying soil or rock
3.1 INTRODUCTION & TYPES OF FOUNDATION

Braja, M.D. – page 503

Broadly foundations can be categorized into two types :-

i. Shallow/spread foundations
~ isolated pads, strip footings and mat (raft)
ii. Deep foundations
3.1 INTRODUCTION & TYPES OF FOUNDATION
Types of foundations

Df
Df

B
B
Df/B < 4 or Df < 3.0 m B
Df/B > 4

i) Shallow foundation ii) Deep foundation

– Pad footing – Friction Pile foundation
– Strip footing – End-bearing Pile foundation
– Mat foundation
3.1 INTRODUCTION & TYPES OF FOUNDATION
Types of foundations

An interface element used to

An interface element used to transfer load from
transfer load from superstructure
superstructure to underlying soil or rock.
to underlying soil or rock.
Whitlow, R. – page 455
Types of foundations
3.2 FACTORS IN THE DESIGN OF SHALLOW
FOUNDATIONS & MODE OF FAILURE

3.2.1 Three design criteria must be

considered :-
1) Adequate depth
2) Limiting settlement
3) Factor of safety against shear failure
3.2 FACTORS IN THE DESIGN OF SHALLOW
FOUNDATIONS & MODE OF FAILURE
a) Adequate Depth
3.2 FACTORS IN THE DESIGN OF SHALLOW
FOUNDATIONS & MODE OF FAILURE

Adequate Depth

Whitlow, R. – page 455

3.2 FACTORS IN THE DESIGN OF SHALLOW
FOUNDATIONS & MODE OF FAILURE

b) Limiting Settlement

Whitlow, R. – page 456

3.2 FACTORS IN THE DESIGN OF SHALLOW
FOUNDATIONS & MODE OF FAILURE

Limiting Settlement

Whitlow, R. – page 455

3.2 FACTORS IN THE DESIGN OF SHALLOW
FOUNDATIONS & MODE OF FAILURE

Factor of Safety (FOS) against shear failure

Whitlow, R. – page 456

3.2 FACTORS IN THE DESIGN OF SHALLOW
FOUNDATIONS & MODE OF FAILURE

3.2.2 Three modes of shear failure :-

1) General shear failure

2) Local shear failure

3) Punching shear failure

3.2 FACTORS IN THE DESIGN OF SHALLOW
FOUNDATIONS & MODE OF FAILURE
3.2.2 Three modes of shear failure :-
1) General shear failure

Whitlow, R. – page 456-457

3.2 FACTORS IN THE DESIGN OF SHALLOW
FOUNDATIONS & MODE OF FAILURE
3.2.2 Three modes of shear failure :-
1) General shear failure

Whitlow, R. – page 456-457

3.2 FACTORS IN THE DESIGN OF SHALLOW
FOUNDATIONS & MODE OF FAILURE
3.2.2 Three modes of shear failure :-
1) General shear failure
3.2 FACTORS IN THE DESIGN OF SHALLOW
FOUNDATIONS & MODE OF FAILURE
3.2.2 Three modes of shear failure :-
2) Local shear failure

Whitlow, R. – page 456-457

3.2 FACTORS IN THE DESIGN OF SHALLOW
FOUNDATIONS & MODE OF FAILURE
3.2.2 Three modes of shear failure :-
2) Local shear failure

Whitlow, R. – page 456-457

3.2 FACTORS IN THE DESIGN OF SHALLOW
FOUNDATIONS & MODE OF FAILURE
3.2.2 Three modes of shear failure :-
3) Punching shear failure

Whitlow, R. – page 456-457

3.2 FACTORS IN THE DESIGN OF SHALLOW
FOUNDATIONS & MODE OF FAILURE
3.2.2 Three modes of shear failure :-
3) Punching shear failure

Whitlow, R. – page 456-457

3.2 FACTORS IN THE DESIGN OF SHALLOW
FOUNDATIONS & MODE OF FAILURE

3.2.3 Modes of shear failure & soils

Whitlow, R. – page 456-457

3.3 DEFINITION OF BEARING CAPACITY

The following terms need to be understood

and properly explained :-

3.3.1 Ultimate bearing capacity, qf

3.3.2 Net bearing pressure, qn
3.3.3 Factor of safety against shear failure, FOS

3.3.4 Allowable bearing capacity, qa

3.3 DEFINITION OF BEARING CAPACITY
3.3.1 Ultimate bearing capacity, qf (TERZAGHI’S BEARING CAPACITY THEORY)

qf is the intensity of bearing pressure at which the supporting ground is

expected to fail in shear i.e. a collapse will take place.
Terzaghi (1943) proposed a formula to determine the ultimate bearing capacity
of an infinitely long strip foundation.
Later on, the formula was extended to include other footing shapes; strip,
circular, square and rectangular foundation.

Assumptions made by Terzaghi :

o The soil is a semi-infinite, homogeneous, isotropic, weightless, rigid-plastic
material.

o The embankment depth is not greater than the width of the footing (Df < B).

o The shear strength of the soil above the footing base is negligible but the soil above
the footing base can be replaced by a surcharge stress (= γD)

o The base of the footing is rough & suitable for General Shear Failure mode only
3.3 DEFINITION OF BEARING CAPACITY

3.3.1 Ultimate bearing capacity, qf

(TERZAGHI’S BEARING CAPACITY THEORY)
3.3 DEFINITION OF BEARING CAPACITY
3.3.1 Ultimate bearing capacity, qf (TERZAGHI’S BEARING CAPACITY THEORY)
3.3 DEFINITION OF BEARING CAPACITY
3.3.1 Ultimate bearing capacity, qf (TERZAGHI’S BEARING CAPACITY THEORY)

B
qult
Df Surcharge, q = γDf
q

45 - φ/2 45 - φ/2 α = 45+ φ/2

Passive
Active zone
zone
Radial shear
zone

q f = cN c + σ o N q + 0.5 Bγ ' N γ
where,
c = soil cohesion
γ = unit weight of soil
q = surcharge at foundation level = γDf
Df = depth of the foundation
Nc, Nq and Nγ are the bearing capacity factors. (which are the functions of the friction angle φ)
3.3 DEFINITION OF BEARING CAPACITY
3.3.1 Ultimate bearing capacity, qf (TERZAGHI’S BEARING CAPACITY THEORY)
For General Shear Failure only

a) Strip foundation q f = cN c + σ o N q + 0.5Bγ ' N γ

b) Circular foundation q f = 1.3cN c + σ o N q + 0.3Bγ ' N γ
* where for circular footing B = diameter of the footing

c) Square foundation q f = 1.3cN c + σ o N q + 0.4 Bγ ' N γ

d) Rectangular foundation
𝐵𝐵 𝐵𝐵
𝑞𝑞𝑓𝑓 = 𝑐𝑐𝑁𝑁𝑐𝑐 1 + 0.3 + σ𝑜𝑜 𝑁𝑁𝑞𝑞 + 0.5𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵 ′𝑁𝑁𝛾𝛾 1 − 0.2
𝐿𝐿 𝐿𝐿
For punching and local shear failure Terzaghi suggested the
use of modified strength parameters
2  2
φ* = tan −1 tan φ  c* = c
3  3
use ϕ* to determine the bearing capacity factors.
3.3 DEFINITION OF BEARING CAPACITY
3.3.1 Ultimate bearing capacity, qf (TERZAGHI’S BEARING CAPACITY THEORY)
On basis of the type of failure mechanism, the ultimate bearing
capacity is evaluated by the approximate method of superimposition
and is expressed by;

q f = qc + qq + qγ
1st term 2nd term 3rd term
cohesion surcharge unit weight

q f = 1.3cN c + σ o N q + 0.4 Bγ ' N γ

Nc, Nq and Nγ are bearing capacity factors depending on angle φ’ of the soil.
However the values of γ’ changes depending on the position of groundwater as given in
the following table ~ shown in slide 33
Table of bearing capacity coefficients – for general shear failure
3.3 DEFINITION OF BEARING CAPACITY
3.3.2 Net bearing pressure (qnf)
Net ultimate bearing capacity (qnf ) is giving by;

qnf = q f − σ o'
where ;
qf = ultimate bearing capacity (Terzaghi’s equation)
σo = overburden pressure adjacent to the foundation OR
pressure relief due to excavation.
σo = γ Df (if no gwt)
σ’o = γ zw + (γsat - γw )hw (with gwt above the base), thus giving
= γ zw + γ’hw
γ zw gwt
γ
Df γsat
hw
σo σ’o
B
3.3 DEFINITION OF BEARING CAPACITY

3.3.3 Net bearing pressure (qn)

Also known as net foundation pressure OR net loading
intensity.
qn is the net change in total stress experienced by the soil at
the base of the foundation; this being the difference between
the total applied stress (q) and the stress removed due to
excavation (σo ).
P kN (design load transferred
q n = qa − σ '
o from column)
where ;
qa = contact pressure at the base of the zw γ gwt
foundation, q = P/A (kN/m2) γ
σo = overburden pressure adjacent to the γsat
foundation OR pressure relief due to Df hw
excavation. q = P/A

σo = γ Df (if no gwt) σo σ’o

σ’o = γ zw + γ ’hw (with gwt above the base) B
3.3 DEFINITION OF BEARING CAPACITY

3.3.4 Factor of safety against shear failure, FOS

Is defined as the ratio between the net ultimate

bearing capacity and the net bearing pressure :
Factor of safety, qnf q f - σ 'o
F= =
qn qa - σ ' o
3.3.5 Allowable bearing capacity (qa)

For a given foundation in a given soil, the allowable design

value for the applied bearing pressure given below:-
An ultimate limit state value (shear strength)
Allowable design
q f - σ 'o
bearing capacity is
giving by;
qa = + σ 'o
F
3.4 Effect of Ground Water Table on Bearing Capacity
q f = 1.3cN c + γ ' D f N q + 0.4 Bγ ' N γ 2nd 3rd

(i)
σ o' = γ ' D γ' = γsat − γw
(ii)
σ o' = γ z w + γ' hw γ' = γsat − γw
σo σo (iii)
σ o= γD γ' = γsat − γw

(iv) within B depth

(above passive σ o= γD '
  Dw − D f 
zone) γ = γ sat − γ w 1 −  
  B 

passive zone (v)

(below B depth) σ o= γD γ' = γ

Whitlow, R.
page 464
Example 1 (MARCH 2015)

37
Example 1 (MARCH 2015) – SOLUTION (b)
AT LEVEL A

38
Example 1 (MARCH 2015) - SOLUTION (b)
AT LEVEL B

39
Example 1 (MARCH 2015) - SOLUTION (c)

Given P (carry load) = 1000kN

qnf = 272kN/m2
F = 1.8

qnf q f - σ 'o q f - σ 'o

F=
qn
=
qa - σ ' o qa = + σ 'o = 272/1.8 * 19(2)
F = 189.11kN/m2

Therefore, qa = 1000/B2 = 189.11

B = 2.3m

⸫ size of square footing is 2.3m * 2.3m

40
Example 2 (SEPT. 2014)

41
Example 2 (SEPT. 2014) - SOLUTION

42
REFERENCES

1. Whitlow, R ~ Basic Soil Mechanics, 2004.

2. Budhu, M., ~ Soil Mechanics and Foundations, 2011.
3. Das, B.M., ~ Principles of Geotechnical Engineering, 2010.
4. Lecturer’s notes** ~ Baharom, B., Kamarudin, F., Hashim,
K.A., Abdullah, N.H.H., Che Lat, D., Mohd Noor, S.N.A., and
Nabi Khan, I.
 END OF WEEK 11

W12 – W14
CHAPTER 5
INTRODUCTION TO SLOPE STABILITY

44