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COMPRESSIBILITY OF SOIL
U

Soil settlement may be divided into three

categories: b. When Po+ΔP > Pc
1. Immediate Settlement- caused by the P c = preconsolidation pressure
R R

elastic deformation of dry, moist, and C s = swell index (ranges from 1/5 to
R R

saturated soils, without any change in 1/10 of Cc)

moisture content.
2. Primary Consolidation Settlement-
caused by a volume change in saturated
cohesive soils due to expulsion of
water that occupies the void spaces.
3. Secondary Consolidation Settlement-
caused by plastic adjustment of soil B. Secondary Settlement
U

fabrics. It is an additional form of

compression that occurs at constant
effective stress.

Settlement of Foundation
S s = secondary settlement
R R

TOTAL SETTLEMENT:
U C α = secondary compression index
R R

T 2 = time after completion of primary

R R

settlement
T 1 = time for completion of primary settlement
R R

e p = void ratio at the end of primary

R R

consolidation
• St=
R R total settlement
• Sc=
R R primary consolidation settlement
• Ss=
R R secondary consolidation settlement C. Immediate or Elastic Settlement
U

• Se=
R R immediate or elastic settlement

A. Primary Consolidation Settlement

U

1. Normally Consolidated Settlement

Normally consolidated clays are those whose

present effective overburden pressure is the C s = shape and foundation rigidity factor
R R

maximum pressure that the soil was subjected B = width of foundation or diameter of
to in the past. The maximum effective past circular foundation
pressure is called the preconsolidation q= P/B2 (net vertical pressure applied)
P P

pressure. μ= Poissons ratio of soil

E s = modulus of elasticity of soil
R R

I p = influence factor
R R

• S c = primary consolidation settlement

R R
THEORY OF CONSOLIDATION
• C c = compression index
R R

1. Compression Index (Cc)

• C c =0.009(LL-10) by Skempton’s Equation
R R

• C c = compression index
•
R R

e o = in situ void ratio

•
R R

e 1 = void ratio at a pressure P 1

•
R R R

H= thickness of clay layer

• e 2 = void ratio at a pressure P 2
• ΔP= average increase of effective
R R R

stress on clay layer

• P o = average effective stress at the
R R

mid-height of clay layer

2. Overconsolidated Clays
Over consolidated clays are those whose
present effective overburden pressure is less
than that which the soil experienced in the
past.

a. When P o +ΔP< Pc
R R

P c = preconsolidation pressure
R R

Cs= swell index (ranges from 1/5 to

1/10 of Cc)

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2. Coefficient of Compressibility
It is the ratio between the change in
void ratio and the change in effective
stress for the given increment.

𝑒1 −𝑒2
𝑎𝑣 = 𝑃2 −𝑃1

3. Coefficient of Volume Compressibility

4. Coefficient of Consolidation(Cv)

K= coefficient of permeability
Problem 1
m v = coefficient of volume
R R

The laboratory consolidation data for an

compressibility
undisturbed clay specimen are as follows: e 1 =
δ w = unit weight of water
R R

R R

1.12, e 2 = 0.90, P 1 =90kPa, P 2 = 460kPa.

R R R R R R

a. Compute the value of the compression

index. Ans. 0.310
b. Compute the value of the swell index
5. Time Factor (T v ) R R

assuming it is equal to 1/6 the value

of compression index. Ans. 0.052
c. Compute the void ratio for a pressure
of 600 kPa. Ans. 0.865
d. Compute the coefficient of
compressibility. Ans. 5.946X10^-4
e. Compute the value of the coefficient
C v = coefficient Of consolidation
R R

of volume compressibility. Ans. 2.958

t = time corresponding to degree of
X10^-4
consolidation (U)
H dr = half the thickness of the sample
Problem 2
R R

if drained on both sides.

It will take 150 seconds for a 25mm thick
H dr = thickness of the sample if
R R

clay layer (drained at both top and bottom)

drained on one side only.
to reach 50% consolidation.

a. Compute the coefficient of consolidation

in mm/sec

b. How long in days will it take for 3m.

thick layer of the same clay in the field
under the same increment to reach 50%
consolidation if there is a rock layer at the
bottom of the clay field?

c. If the primary consolidation settlement of

the 3m. thick layer of clay with same
condition in “b” is 120mm, how long will it
take for the settlement to become 84mm.

Problem 3
The soil shown has its properties. A
surcharge of 140 kPa is applied at the ground
surface.
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is 0.32, modulus of elasticity of soil is
16000 kPa, influence factor I p =0.88. Ans. 12
R R

mm

b. Compute the primary consolidation

settlement of the clay layer if it is
normally consolidated. Ans. 17

c. Compute the total consolidation settlement

of the clay 5 years after the completion of
primary consolidation settlement. Time for
completion of primary settlement is 2 years.
Secondary compression index C α =.002. Ans. 49
R R

mm

a. Estimate the primary consolidation

settlement of the clay layer assuming that it
is normally consolidated. Ans. 191 mm

b. Estimate the primary consolIdation

settlement if the preconsolidation pressure
is 160 kPa. Assume C s =(1/5)C c . Ans. 65 mm
R R R R

c. Estimate the settlement after 300 days if

the preconsolidation pressure is 160 kPa and
the coeff of consolidation is C v = R R

0.002sq.cm/sec. Ans. 58.19 mm

Problem 4

A proposed site for large industrial complex

is underlain by a 3.6m thick layer of soft
clay that would be subject to severe
settlement under the loadings that would be
applied. A decision has been made to
consolidate this clay layer prior to site
development by preloading with a sand layer
2.4m thick. The sand fill will have a unit Problem 6
weight of 16.5 kN/m3. The clay layer is
P P

normally consolidated and tests have A rectangular

determined that the water content of clay is footing 1m x 2m
44% and a void ratio of 1.20. Compute the is shown in the
settlement that would be expected to occur in figure.
the clay layer.

a. Compute the
elastic
settlement if
Poisson’s ratio
is 0.3 and Ip =
1.2.

b. Compute the
consolidation
settlement.

c. Compute the
total settlement.

TERZAGHI’S BEARING CAPACITY

U

Bearing capacity analysis is the method used

Problem 5 to determine the ability of soil to support
A rigid 3 meter square footing is constructed the required load in a safe manner without
over a loose sand layer as shown on the gross distortion resulting from objectionable
figure. It carries a total load of 710 kN. settlement.

a. Compute the elastic settlement of the 3 The ultimate bearing capacity (qu) is defined
meter footing if the Poisson’s ratio of soil
as that pressure causing a shear failure of
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the supporting soil lying immediately below
and adjacent to the footing.

MODES OF FAILURE
1. General Shear Failure
2. Local Shear Failure

A. General Shear Failure

U

LONG FOOTINGS

1
𝑞𝑢𝑙𝑡 = 𝑐𝑁𝑐 + 𝑞𝑁𝑞 + γB𝑁γ
2

SQUARE FOOTINGS

𝑞𝑢𝑙𝑡 = 1.3𝑐𝑁𝑐 + 𝑞𝑁𝑞 + 0.40γB𝑁γ

B. Local Shear Failure (for loose sand and
U U

RECTANGULAR FOOTINGS soft clay)

2 2
0.3𝐵 1 0.2𝐵 𝑐′ = c 𝑡𝑎𝑛Φ = 𝑡𝑎𝑛Φ′
𝑞𝑢𝑙𝑡 = 𝑐𝑁𝑐 �1 + � + 𝑞𝑁𝑞 + γB𝑁γ �− � 3 3
𝐿 2 𝐿

CIRCULAR FOOTINGS LONG FOOTINGS

𝑞𝑢𝑙𝑡 = 1.3𝑐𝑁𝑐 + 𝑞𝑁𝑞 + 0.30γB𝑁γ 1

𝑞𝑢𝑙𝑡 = 𝑐′𝑁′𝑐 + 𝑞𝑁′𝑞 + γB𝑁′γ
2
Where:
𝑞𝑢𝑙𝑡 = ultimate bearing capacity SQUARE FOOTINGS
γ = unit weight of soil at base of
footing in kPa or pcf 𝑞𝑢𝑙𝑡 = 1.3𝑐′𝑁′𝑐 + 𝑞𝑁′𝑞 + 0.40γB𝑁′γ
B = width of the footing or for
RECTANGULAR FOOTINGS
circular, it is equal to its diameter
c = cohesion of soil in kPa or psf 0.3𝐵 1 0.2𝐵
𝑞𝑢𝑙𝑡 = 𝑐′𝑁′𝑐 �1 + � + 𝑞𝑁′𝑞 + γB𝑁′γ �− �
(c=q u /2) R R
𝐿 2 𝐿
q u = unconfined compressive strength
R R

CIRCULAR FOOTINGS
𝑁γ = factor for unit weight of soil
𝑁𝑐 = factor for soil cohesion 𝑞𝑢𝑙𝑡 = 1.3𝑐′𝑁′𝑐 + 𝑞𝑁′𝑞 + 0.30γB𝑁′γ
𝑁𝑞 = factor of overburden pressure
q = overburden pressure at the base of the
footing
D f = depth of footing in meters/feet
R R

Bearing Capacity Factors (if no table is

given)

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1. Resner Formula
Given:
γ = 110 lb/ft3 P

c = 200 lb/ft2 P

2. Prandtl Formula φ = 20°

D f = 3ft
R R

FS = 3

Assume general shear failure.

3. Vesic Formula

4. Meyerfof Formula PROBLEM 2:

A square foundation
is shown in the
figure. The footing
Note: Formulas 1, 2 and 3 are used in will carry a gross
preparation for the Bearing Capacity Factor mass of 30,000 kg.
Table. Using a factor of
safety of 3,
determine the size
ALLOWABLE BEARING CAPACITY OF SHALLOW
of the footing—that
FOUNDATIONS. is, the size of B.
ρ = 1850kg/m3, φ =
P P

1. Gross Allowable Bearing Capacity 35°, c=0

𝑞𝑢𝑙𝑡
𝑞𝑎𝑙𝑙 =
𝐹. 𝑆.

2. Net Allowable Bearing Capacity

𝑞𝑢𝑙𝑡 − 𝑞
𝑞𝑎𝑙𝑙(𝑛𝑒𝑡) =
𝐹. 𝑆.

𝑞 = γD𝑓 (vertical effective stress at the

foundation)

PROBLEM 3:
A square footing
shown, 1m x 1m in
dimension, has its
ALLOWABLE LOADS CARRIED BY THE FOUNDATIONS bottom 2.5m below the
ground surface. Angle
1. Gross Allowable of friction of the
Load soil foundation is 30
degrees. Unit weight
𝑞𝑢𝑙𝑡
𝜎𝑎𝑙𝑙 = 𝑥𝐴 of soil is 18.1
𝐹. 𝑆.
kN/cu.m with a
2. Net Allowable cohesion of 15.7
Load kN/sq.m. Saturated unit weight of soil is
19.3 kN/cu.m. Factor of safety is 3.0.
𝑞𝑢𝑙𝑡 − 𝑞 𝑁𝑐 = 35, 𝑁𝑞 = 22, 𝑁γ = 19
𝜎𝑎𝑙𝑙(𝑛𝑒𝑡) = 𝑥𝐴
𝐹. 𝑆.
a. Compute the net allowable load that the
𝑞 = γD𝑓 (vertical effective stress at the
footing could carry if the ground water table
foundation)
is located 0.20m below the foundation of the
footing.
PROBLEM 1:
A continuous foundation is shown in the b. Compute the allowable load that the
figure. Using Terzaghi’s bearing capacity footing could carry if the ground water table
factors, is located 1.2 below the ground surface.
determine the
gross allowable c. Find the ultimate bearing capacity of soil
load per unit if the ground water table is at the bottom of
area (q all ) that
R R

the footing.
the foundation
can carry.
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