GEOTECNICAL AND FOUNDATION ENGINEERING

ASSIGNMENT #2

COMPLEX ENGINEERING PROBLEM

SUBMITTED BY:

MOHAMMAD SOHAIL

CMS ID: 46904

CIVIL 7TH

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

SUBMITTED TO:

Dr. SAEED ULLAH JAN

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

March 22, 2022

BALOCHISTAN UNIVERSITY OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING AND

MANAGEMENT SCIENCES, QUETTA
Question: Design the size and depth of a square foundation for a structure column load of 1000 kN. The
water table is at a depth of 1.5 m. The soil profile is given bellow.

Depth γ c
Soil type ϕ
(m) (kN/m3 ) (kN/m2)
0-1.5 Dry Sand 16 34 -
1.5-2 Saturated sand 18 32 -
2-2.5 clay 19 25 5
2.5-3 clay 19.5 26 5
Solution

1. As we know Terzaghi’s bearing capacity equation for Square Foundation is

𝑞𝑢𝑙𝑡 = 1.3𝑐Nc + 𝑞𝑁𝑞 + 0.4𝛾′𝐵𝑁𝛾…..Eq(1)

Given Soil Profile

2. Meyerhof’s Bearing Capacity factors

Table 1: Meyerhof’s Bearing capacity factors for ϕ values

Meyerhof’s Bearing capacity factors for ϕ values

𝜑′
𝑁𝑞 = 𝑒 𝜋𝑡𝑎𝑛𝜑′ 𝑡𝑎𝑛2 (45° + ) 𝑁𝑐 = (𝑁𝑞 − 1)𝑐𝑜𝑡𝜑′ 𝑁𝛾 = (𝑁𝑞 − 1)tan⁡(1.4𝜑 ′ )
ϕ 2

34 29.4396 42.1635 31.1453

32 23.1766 35.4901 22.0223
25 10.6621 20.7204 6.76547
26 11.8541 22.2543 8.00237
3. Meyerhof’s bearing capacity factors are calculated by using formulas given in Table 1 by the aid of
Microsoft excel.
4. As, unit weight γ, cohesion c, and angle of internal friction ϕ are given, next step is to calculate effective
unit weight γ’ and overburden pressure q for all layers at each 0.1m depth.
5. Effective unit weight γ’ should be taken for the soil layer suporting the foundation. Hence, at 0m depth it
sould be taken of first layer and at 1.5m depth it should be taken of second layer and so on. As, water table
is a depth of 1.5m so for the first layer till 1.4m the dry unit weight is the effective unit weight. Then at
1.5m depth where the water table comes into account the effective unit weight is calculated by the formula
γ'= γsat- γw

where, γsat is the saturated unit weight of soil and γw is the unit weight of water
6. The overburden pressure due to soil layer from top of ground to the base of foundation “q” is calculated
by formula
q= γ’*df

where γ’ is the effective unit weight of soil till the base of foundation and df is the depth till foundation
base. For the second layer the q value till 1.5m should be added to the value calculated from (q= γ’*df )
in this case df is the depth from base of first layer to the base of foundation where it is laced in second
layer.
7. Now, all the primary parameters of Terzaghi’s equation are calculated except the width of foundation
therefore calculate the cohesion term (1.3cNc), surcharge term (qNq),and density term⁡(𝟎. 𝟒𝜸′ 𝑩𝑵𝜸) taking
assumed B=1m to get the ultimate bearing capacities along depth for unit size (1m) of foundation. Ultimate
bearing capacity values for width of foundation (B=1m) are calculated in Table 2 and plotted against depth
in Graph 1.
8. As it is asked to design the footing size for a column load of 1000kN, so we will take Qult=1000kN
therefore, qult=Qult/B2 on right side of equation and 𝑞𝑢𝑙𝑡 = 1.3𝑐Nc + 𝑞𝑁𝑞 + 0.4𝛾′𝐵𝑁𝛾 on right side,
𝑄𝑢𝑙𝑡
= 1.3𝑐Nc + 𝑞𝑁𝑞 + 0.4𝛾′𝐵𝑁𝛾
𝐵∗𝐵
Solving the above equation for B at each 0.1m of depth gives the values of required width of foundation
at different depth along the layered soil. Width B values for different depth are calculated in Table 2 and
plotted on graph 2.
9. Then finally, ultimate bearing capacity profile for foundation size of 1.71m, 1.24m, 1.46m, 1.32, and
1.26m are calculated and plotted against depth.
Table 2: Ultimate Bearing Capacity for width (B=1) calculated at each 0.1m depth and required Width “B” for q ult=1000kN
coming from structural column.

Ultimate Bearing Capacity for width (B=1) calculated at each 0.1m depth and required Width “B” for
qult=1000kN coming from structural column.
Density
Depth γ c γ' q Cohesion Surcharge term qult Width
(d) (kN/m3 ) Φ (kN/m2 ) (γ'= γsat- γw) (q= γ*df) term term (B=1) (KN/m2) “B”
(m) (kN/m3 ) (kN/m2) (1.3cNc) (qNq) (𝟎. 𝟒𝜸′𝑩𝑵𝜸) (B=1) (m)
0 34 0 16 0 0 0.00 199.33 199.33 1.71
0.1 16 34 0 16 1.6 0 47.10 199.33 246.43 1.64
0.2 16 34 0 16 3.2 0 94.21 199.33 293.54 1.57
0.3 16 34 0 16 4.8 0 141.31 199.33 340.64 1.51
0.4 16 34 0 16 6.4 0 188.41 199.33 387.74 1.45
0.5 16 34 0 16 8 0 235.52 199.33 434.85 1.40
0.6 16 34 0 16 9.6 0 282.62 199.33 481.95 1.35
0.7 16 34 0 16 11.2 0 329.72 199.33 529.05 1.30
0.8 16 34 0 16 12.8 0 376.83 199.33 576.16 1.26
0.9 16 34 0 16 14.4 0 423.93 199.33 623.26 1.22
1 16 34 0 16 16 0 471.03 199.33 670.36 1.19
1.1 16 34 0 16 17.6 0 518.14 199.33 717.47 1.16
1.2 16 34 0 16 19.2 0 565.24 199.33 764.57 1.13
1.3 16 34 0 16 20.8 0 612.34 199.33 811.68 1.10
1.4 16 34 0 16 22.4 0 659.45 199.33 858.78 1.07
1.5 16 32 0 8.2 24 0 706.55 72.15 778.70 1.13
1.6 18 32 0 8.2 24.82 0 575.22 72.15 647.37 1.32
1.7 18 32 0 8.2 25.64 0 594.20 72.15 666.35 1.21
1.8 18 32 0 8.2 26.46 0 613.19 72.15 685.33 1.20
1.9 18 32 0 8.2 27.28 0 632.17 72.15 704.31 1.18
2 18 25 5 9.2 28.1 134.68 651.15 24.87 810.70 1.11
2.1 19 25 5 9.2 29.01 134.68 309.35 24.87 468.90 1.44
2.2 19 25 5 9.2 29.93 134.68 319.15 24.87 478.70 1.43
2.3 19 25 5 9.2 30.85 134.68 328.95 24.87 488.50 1.42
2.4 19 25 5 9.2 31.77 134.68 338.75 24.87 498.30 1.40
2.5 19 26 5 9.7 32.69 144.65 348.54 31.02 524.21 1.37
2.6 19.5 26 5 9.7 33.66 144.65 399.00 31.02 574.67 1.31
2.7 19.5 26 5 9.7 34.63 144.65 410.49 31.02 586.16 1.30
2.8 19.5 26 5 9.7 35.6 144.65 421.97 31.02 597.64 1.28
2.9 19.5 26 5 9.7 36.57 144.65 433.46 31.02 609.13 1.27
3 19.5 26 5 9.7 37.54 144.65 444.95 31.02 620.62 1.26
 Terzaghi's Bearing Capacity along Depth for Square Foundation

Bearing Capacity (kN/m2) for unit width of foundation (B=1m)

0.00 100.00 200.00 300.00 400.00 500.00 600.00 700.00 800.00 900.00
0

199.33

0.5

858.78
Depth (m)

1.5 647.37
628.39

704.31

2
459.10
468.90

498.30

2.5 574.67
563.18

3 620.62

Graph 1: Bearing Capacity profile for foundation width of (B=1m)

 Required Width along Depth of Foundation using Qult=1000kN

Width "B" (m)

0.00 0.20 0.40 0.60 0.80 1.00 1.20 1.40 1.60 1.80
0

1.71

0.5

1.07
Depth "d" (m)

1.24

1.5

1.23

1.46

2
1.18
1.44

1.40
2.5
1.31 1.32

1.26
3

Graph 2: Required size (width) over depth of square foundation

 Table 3: Ultimate Bearing Capacity “qult” for calculated width (B=1.71m) calculated along depth

Ultimate Bearing Capacity “qult” for calculated width (B=1.71m) calculated along depth
Density
Depth γ c γ' q Cohesion Surcharge term qult
(d) (kN/m3 ) Φ (kN/m2 ) (γ'= γsat- γw) (q= γ*df) term term (B=1.71) (KN/m2)
(m) (kN/m3 ) (kN/m2) (1.3cNc) (qNq) (𝟎. 𝟒𝜸′𝑩𝑵𝜸) (B=1)
0 34 0 16 0 0 0 340.86 340.9
1.4 16 34 0 16 22.4 0 659.448 340.86 1000.3
1.5 16 32 0 8.19 24 0 556.24 123.37 679.6
1.6 18 32 0 8.19 24.82 0 575.222 123.37 698.6
1.9 18 32 0 8.19 27.28 0 632.167 123.37 755.5
2 18 25 5 9.19 28.1 134.683 299.552 42.53 476.8
2.1 19 25 5 9.19 29.01 134.683 309.35 42.53 486.6
2.4 19 25 5 9.19 31.77 134.683 338.746 42.53 516.0
2.5 19 26 5 9.69 32.69 144.653 387.512 53.04 585.2
2.6 19.5 26 5 9.69 33.66 144.653 398.999 53.04 596.7
2.9 19.5 26 5 9.69 36.57 144.653 433.459 53.04 631.2
3 19.5 26 5 9.69 37.54 144.653 444.946 53.04 642.6

Terzaghi's Bearing Capacity Profile for Square Foundation

Bearing Capacity (kN/m2) for foundation width (B=1.71m)

0.0 200.0 400.0 600.0 800.0 1000.0 1200.0
0

340.9
0.5

1
1000.3
Depth (m)

1.5
698.6 679.6

755.5
2
476.8
486.6
516.0

2.5 596.7
585.2

3 642.6

Graph 3: Terzaghi's Bearing Capacity Profile for Square Foundation of width (B=1.71m)
 Table 4: Ultimate Bearing Capacity “qult” for calculated width (B=1.24m) calculated along depth

Ultimate Bearing Capacity “qult” for calculated width (B=1.24m) calculated along depth
Density
Depth γ c γ' q Cohesion Surcharge term qult
(d) (kN/m3 ) Φ (kN/m2 ) (γ'= γsat- γw) (q= γ*df) term term (B=1.24) (KN/m2)
(m) (kN/m3 ) (kN/m2) (1.3cNc) (qNq) (𝟎. 𝟒𝜸′𝑩𝑵𝜸) (B=1)
0 34 0 16 0 0 0 247.17 247.2
1.4 16 34 0 16 22.4 0 659.448 247.17 906.6
1.5 16 32 0 8.19 24 0 556.24 89.46 645.7
1.6 18 32 0 8.19 24.82 0 575.222 89.46 664.7
1.9 18 32 0 8.19 27.28 0 632.167 89.46 721.6
2 18 25 5 9.19 28.1 134.683 299.552 30.84 465.1
2.1 19 25 5 9.19 29.01 134.683 309.35 30.84 474.9
2.4 19 25 5 9.19 31.77 134.683 338.746 30.84 504.3
2.5 19 26 5 9.69 32.69 144.653 387.512 38.46 570.6
2.6 19.5 26 5 9.69 33.66 144.653 398.999 38.46 582.1
2.9 19.5 26 5 9.69 36.57 144.653 433.459 38.46 616.6
3 19.5 26 5 9.69 37.54 144.653 444.946 38.46 628.1

Graph 4: Terzaghi's Bearing Capacity Profile for Square Foundation of width (B=1.24m)
 Table 5: Ultimate Bearing Capacity “qult” for calculated width (B=1.46m) calculated along depth

Ultimate Bearing Capacity “qult” for calculated width (B=1.46m) calculated along depth
Density
Depth γ c γ' q Cohesion Surcharge term qult
(d) (kN/m3 ) Φ (kN/m2 ) (γ'= γsat- γw) (q= γ*df) term term (B=1.46) (KN/m2)
(m) (kN/m3 ) (kN/m2) (1.3cNc) (qNq) (𝟎. 𝟒𝜸′𝑩𝑵𝜸) (B=1)
0 34 0 16 0 0 0 291.02 291.0
1.4 16 34 0 16 22.4 0 659.448 291.02 950.5
1.5 16 32 0 8.19 24 0 556.24 105.33 661.6
1.6 18 32 0 8.19 24.82 0 575.222 105.33 680.6
1.9 18 32 0 8.19 27.28 0 632.167 105.33 737.5
2 18 25 5 9.19 28.1 134.683 299.552 36.31 470.5
2.1 19 25 5 9.19 29.01 134.683 309.35 36.31 480.3
2.4 19 25 5 9.19 31.77 134.683 338.746 36.31 509.7
2.5 19 26 5 9.69 32.69 144.653 387.512 45.29 577.5
2.6 19.5 26 5 9.69 33.66 144.653 398.999 45.29 588.9
2.9 19.5 26 5 9.69 36.57 144.653 433.459 45.29 623.4
3 19.5 26 5 9.69 37.54 144.653 444.946 45.29 634.9

Graph 5: Terzaghi's Bearing Capacity Profile for Square Foundation of width (B=1.46m)
 Table 6: Ultimate Bearing Capacity “qult” for calculated width (B=1.32m) calculated along depth

Ultimate Bearing Capacity “qult” for calculated width (B=1.32m) calculated along depth
Density
Depth γ c γ' q Cohesion Surcharge term qult
(d) (kN/m3 ) Φ (kN/m2 ) (γ'= γsat- γw) (q= γ*df) term term (B=1.32) (KN/m2)
(m) (kN/m3 ) (kN/m2) (1.3cNc) (qNq) (𝟎. 𝟒𝜸′𝑩𝑵𝜸) (B=1)
0 34 0 16 0 0 0 263.12 263.1
1.4 16 34 0 16 22.4 0 659.448 263.12 922.6
1.5 16 32 0 8.19 24 0 556.24 95.23 651.5
1.6 18 32 0 8.19 24.82 0 575.222 95.23 670.5
1.9 18 32 0 8.19 27.28 0 632.167 95.23 727.4
2 18 25 5 9.19 28.1 134.683 299.552 32.83 467.1
2.1 19 25 5 9.19 29.01 134.683 309.35 32.83 476.9
2.4 19 25 5 9.19 31.77 134.683 338.746 32.83 506.3
2.5 19 26 5 9.69 32.69 144.653 387.512 40.94 573.1
2.6 19.5 26 5 9.69 33.66 144.653 398.999 40.94 584.6
2.9 19.5 26 5 9.69 36.57 144.653 433.459 40.94 619.1
3 19.5 26 5 9.69 37.54 144.653 444.946 40.94 630.5

Graph 6: Terzaghi's Bearing Capacity Profile for Square Foundation of width (B=1.32m)
 Table 7: Ultimate Bearing Capacity “qult” for calculated width (B=1.26m) calculated along depth

Ultimate Bearing Capacity “qult” for calculated width (B=1.26m) calculated along depth
Density
Depth γ c γ' q Cohesion Surcharge term qult
(d) (kN/m3 ) Φ (kN/m2 ) (γ'= γsat- γw) (q= γ*df) term term (B=1.26) (KN/m2)
(m) (kN/m3 ) (kN/m2) (1.3cNc) (qNq) (𝟎. 𝟒𝜸′𝑩𝑵𝜸) (B=1)
0 34 0 16 0 0 0 251.16 251.2
1.4 16 34 0 16 22.4 0 659.448 251.16 910.6
1.5 16 32 0 8.19 24 0 556.24 90.90 647.1
1.6 18 32 0 8.19 24.82 0 575.222 90.90 666.1
1.9 18 32 0 8.19 27.28 0 632.167 90.90 723.1
2 18 25 5 9.19 28.1 134.683 299.552 31.34 465.6
2.1 19 25 5 9.19 29.01 134.683 309.35 31.34 475.4
2.4 19 25 5 9.19 31.77 134.683 338.746 31.34 504.8
2.5 19 26 5 9.69 32.69 144.653 387.512 39.08 571.2
2.6 19.5 26 5 9.69 33.66 144.653 398.999 39.08 582.7
2.9 19.5 26 5 9.69 36.57 144.653 433.459 39.08 617.2
3 19.5 26 5 9.69 37.54 144.653 444.946 39.08 628.7

Graph 7: Terzaghi's Bearing Capacity Profile for Square Foundation of width (B=1.26m)