CE333 Geotechnical Engineering II

Homework Exercise
Module 6: Settlement Computation of Foundations

1. A rectangular foundation is constructed over a layer of compressible normally

consolidated soft clay as shown in figure below. Total load on the foundation is 1500 kN.
Calculate the primary consolidation settlement at the center of the foundation.
(Answer: Sc = 83.14 mm)

Silty sand
Df = 1.5 m 𝛾 = 16 kN/m3

2m × 3m

Saturated sand
2.5 m 𝛾sat = 18 kN/m3

Saturated clay
𝛾sat = 19 kN/m3
3m e0 = 0.93
Cc = 0.27

Dense sand

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2. A raft foundation as shown in figure below has to carry a total net stress at the base of the
foundation, qn = 168 kN/m2. Calculate the primary consolidation settlement at the center
and corner of the raft. Assume that the clay layer is normally consolidated.
(Answer: center: Sc = 286.58 mm and corner: Sc = 130.74 mm)

qn = 168 kN/m2
2m

10 m × 15 m Sand
𝛾 = 16 kN/m3
2.5 m

Saturated Sand
𝛾sat = 18 kN/m3
2.0 m

Soft Clay
𝛾sat = 17.5 kN/m3
5m
e0 = 0.88
Cc = 0.38

Hard layer