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Foundations and Subsoil
Foundations and Subsoil
Table of Contents
Version Info ................................................................................................................................... 1
Scope of this book ....................................................................................................................... 3
Foundation and subsoil ............................................................................................................... 5
Foundation blocks and strips .....................................................................................................................................5
Foundation block ......................................................................................................................................................5
Foundation strip .......................................................................................................................................................6
Upper soil of foundation block and strip ...................................................................................................................6
Defining a new foundation block type ......................................................................................................................7
Inserting the foundation block into model .................................................................................................................7
Defining a new foundation strip ................................................................................................................................7
Subsoil ...........................................................................................................................................................................7
Introduction to subsoil ..............................................................................................................................................7
Defining a new subsoil type .....................................................................................................................................8
Defining subsoil parameters .....................................................................................................................................8
Subsoil parameters for subsoil under a 1D member ................................................................................................9
Subsoil parameters for subsoil under a slab ............................................................................................................9
Using the subsoil ....................................................................................................................................................10
Geologic profile ..........................................................................................................................................................10
Geologic profile manager .......................................................................................................................................10
Defining a new geologic profile ..............................................................................................................................11
Editing the existing geologic profile ........................................................................................................................13
Boreholes ....................................................................................................................................................................13
Introduction to boreholes ........................................................................................................................................13
Inserting a new borehole ........................................................................................................................................14
Editing the existing borehole ..................................................................................................................................14
Deleting the existing borehole ................................................................................................................................15
Displaying or hiding the existing boreholes ............................................................................................................15
Displaying the earth surface ...................................................................................................................................15
Refreshing the earth surface ..................................................................................................................................15
Interaction with subsoil (Soilin) ................................................................................................................................16
Introduction ............................................................................................................................................................16
Geometry................................................................................................................................................................16
Defining a new Soilin support .................................................................................................................................16
Surface support on slab .........................................................................................................................................17
Soilin calculation parameters .................................................................................................................................18
Calculated C parameters .......................................................................................................................................18
Literature ................................................................................................................................................................20
Loads ........................................................................................................................................... 23
Soil pressure and water pressure .............................................................................................................................23
Pressure load ..............................................................................................................................................................25
Calculation .................................................................................................................................. 27
Soilin calculation parameters ....................................................................................................................................27
Results......................................................................................................................................... 29
Results on beams .......................................................................................................................................................29
Displaying the foundation table ..............................................................................................................................29
Displaying the intensity ..........................................................................................................................................31
Results on slabs .........................................................................................................................................................32
Displaying the contact stress on slabs ...................................................................................................................32
Calculated C parameters .......................................................................................................................................33
Displaying the settlement .......................................................................................................................................34
iii
Version Info
Version info
1
Scope of this book
This manual extends the Reference guide for Scia Engineer. It does not cover basic functions of the program. It focusses
on the functionality related to the analysis of foundations and subsoil.
3
Foundation and subsoil
Foundation blocks and strips
Foundation block
The user can choose from two variants of foundation block.
Name The name is used for the identification of the foundation block.
Eccentricity The foundation bock may be either symmetrical or some eccentricity in one
or both plan directions may be specified.
The foundation block editing dialogue makes it possible to display the foundation block in 2D or 3D mode.
The 2D mode shows side view, plan view and dimension lines for all input values.
The 3D mode enables the user to make a good visualisation of the defined foundation block
The above-mentioned properties are defined in the editing dialogue for the foundation block. The editing dialogue can be
opened from the Foundation block manager.
In addition, another important parameter of the foundation block support must be defined. It is the soil that is below the
footing surface. This last parameter is defined in the property dialogue of support, i.e. it is defined at the moment the
support is being inserted into the model.
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Foundations and Subsoil
Foundation strip
A foundation strip is used as a kind of linear supporting. It is defined by its width and by the properties of soil below the
footing surface.
All the properties of the foundation strip are defined in the property dialogue of support, i.e. at the moment the support is
being inserted into the model.
Density Specifies the density of the soil above the foundation block or strip.
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Foundation and subsoil
Height Defines the height of the upper soil layer. The height is measured from the
top-surface of the foundation block.
In addition, the user may specify the level of underground water that also influences the characteristics of the support.
Note: The upper soil parameters are taken into account if the foundation block is checked for stability.
Note: If no foundation block has been defined so far and the user opens the Foundation block manager, the
program may automatically open the Foundation block editing dialogue directly. Once the editing dialogue is
closed, the Foundation manager appears on the screen and the user may follow to procedure given above.
Note: If no subsoil and no type of foundation block has been defined and the user tries to insert a support of
Foundation block type, the program automatically creates a default subsoil type and a default foundation block
type. It is up to the user to edit these entities and input proper values of their characteristics.
Note: If no subsoil has been defined and the user tries to insert a support of Foundation strip type, the program
automatically creates a default subsoil type. It is up to the user to edit this entities and input proper
characteristics of it.
Subsoil
Introduction to subsoil
Supports of a "foundation" type, i.e. foundation block and foundation strip, are laid on the soil that forms the base for the
structure. The parameters of this soil must be defined in order to allow the program to perform accurate calculations.
In Scia Engineer the "under-foundation" soil is called subsoil and can be defined using functions:
either: tree menu function Library > Subsoils,
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Foundations and Subsoil
Parameters for check Here the parameters necessary for check of the subsoil to a technical
standards are defined.
Fic The value of the angle of the shearing resistance in terms of effective
stress.
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Foundation and subsoil
Note: In the complete set of 6 parameters C, four parameters are significant and, if available, can be
determined from the C parameters of subsoil 2D model in EPW Soilin module and from the stiffness of
boundary bonding "k" modelling the effect of settlement basin:
It is not recommended to use the remaining two parameters. Reliable experimental data are not available for C2x and
C2y.
9
Foundations and Subsoil
Note: Usually, C2x is considered equal to C2y and C1x equal to C1y.
Note: chapter Model data > Foundation > Subsoil.
Geologic profile
10
Foundation and subsoil
11
Foundations and Subsoil
Water level Defines the level of underground water. The water level influences the
parameters of the soil.
Not compressible subsoil In ON, the program applies coefficient of depth reduction k2 in compliance
with CSN 73 1001, art. 80.
Numerically it means that the damping of stress component sz in the half-
space is slowed down. All components of elastic-half-space-stress-tensor
are calculated in this reduced depth. It is just an approximate calculation,
not an exact solution of the elastic layer. The difference is however
negligible in comparison with other inacuracies.
Layer-related parameters
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Foundation and subsoil
wet specific soil weight specific soil weight for wet soil
Table 10 in the standard states indicative values for various soils in the
range from 0.1 to 0.5. For category 3 it is advisable to consult the engineer
who carried out the survey of the locality in question.
For other codes (other than CSN) this coefficient is equal to 0.2.
Note: Geologic profile must be defined up to such a depth where the effective stress is still active, otherwise the
program does not have enough information.
Boreholes
Introduction to boreholes
Boreholes together with geologic profiles provide the program with information relating to the composition of foundation
soil. Both data are necessary to calculate the interaction between the structure and the soil below it.
A borehole is fully defined by the (i) corresponding geologic profile, (ii) location and (iii) altitude. Usually a set of
boreholes will be defined and thus they can be used to calculate and display the surface of the land in their surrounding.
This surface can be used for impressive presentations of your project. The surface itself is not taken into account during
the calculation.
The following picture shows an example of defined boreholes. The rectangle represents the patch of land over which the
soil properties can be inter- and extra- polated.
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Foundations and Subsoil
Borehole parameters
Results only When the calculation is performed, you can obtain a table of settlement.
The values of settlement are calculated in places where boreholes are
located. The borehole itself (the corresponding geologic profile) is also
used as an input value for the calculation of interaction between the
structure and the soil.
However, it is possible to exclude some boreholes from the input data and
use them only as the location for the calculation of results – settlement.
If this parameter is ON, the geologic profile defined in the borehole is
ignored, the conditions in this place are interpolated from surrounding
boreholes, but final settlement is calculated in this location.
Geologic profile Specifies the geologic profile corresponding to the location of the borehole.
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Foundation and subsoil
Note: After the modification (especially the modification of the position) of the borehole, it may be necessary to
refresh the surface (supposing it was displayed before the changes).
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Foundations and Subsoil
Introduction
The analysis of foundation structures is challenged by the problem of modelling of the part of the foundation that is in
contact with subsoil. The best solution is to use 2D model of the subsoil that properly represents the deformation
properties of the whole under-foundation massif by means of surface model. The properties of such model are
expressed by what is called interaction parameters marked C. These parameters are assigned directly to structure
elements that are in contact with the subsoil and they influence the stiffness matrix.
To simplify the matter, we may imagine that C is the characteristics of elastic, more precisely pseudoelastic, links, or
surface spring constants that change according to the actual state of the analysed system. We may also use the
professional slang that calls it "support on C parameters", which is the generalisation of standard Winkler idea of the
supporting in the form thick liquid g = C1 (MNm-3) or in the for of infinitely dense system of vertical springs. The
generalisation is very important and deals mainly with the consideration of significant shear distribution in the subsoil that
is neglected by Winkler model. The parameters of the interaction between the foundation and the subsoil depends on the
distribution and loading level, or the contact stress between the structure surface and the surrounding subsoil, on the
geometry of the footing surface and on mechanical properties of the soil.
Calculation module SOILIN takes account of all the mentioned dependencies.
As the C parameters influence the contact stress and vice versa – the distribution of the contact stress have impact on
the settlement of the footing surface and thus the C parameters, it is necessary to use an iterative solution.
The influence of subsoil in the vicinity of the structure
The modelling of the interaction between a structure and subsoil requires that the influence of the subsoil outside of the
structure be taken into account. This outside-subsoil supports the edges of the foundation slab due to shear stiffness. In
the past, special procedures were recommended to model this phenomenon. The current versions of Scia Engineer
employ a sophisticated solution whose principle is described in the following paragraph.
The program automatically adds to the edge of the analysed foundation slab springs that approximately substitute the
effect of what is termed support elements (1 to 2 metre wide strip located along the edges of the foundation slab, the
thickness of this strip is almost zero). The solution obtained through this approach takes into account the effect of the
subsoil outside (in the vicinity) of the analysed foundation slab.
In comparison with a solution without such springs, the results obtained with the springs gives smaller deformation of the
foundation-slab edges which means larger bending moments in the foundation slab.
The springs oriented in the global z-direction are assigned to all edge nodes except the situation when a node already
has another spring assigned or if a rotation of a node is specified. In that case, the program assumes that the user has
already defined a special type of support and that it is not wanted to alter that special configuration automatically on the
background.
These exceptions can be used to deliberately suppress the implementation of edge-springs along certain lines. The user
can define very small line springs along required lines (edges) and thus eliminate the effect of the surrounding subsoil
(e.g. if a sheet pile wall is installed).
Geometry
If the groundslab is not horizontal, one should be aware of the following:
The correct calculation of C parameters assumes that the structure that is in contact with subsoil is more or less
horizontal. Technically speaking, the inclination of the footing surface up to 5 to 8 degrees can be allowed. Program is
capable of dealing with footing surface in several z-levels, but the results are acceptable only if the z-levels are within
certain limits – see the following literature (in Czech):
Kolář V.: Matematické modelování geomechanických úloh. Skriptum pro postgraduální studium FAST VUT Brno,
1990, 60 str.
Buček J., Kolář V., Obruča J: Manuál k programu SOILIN, FEM consulting Brno, 1993
Buček J., Kolář V.: Iterační výpočet NE-XX - SOILIN, FEM consulting Brno, 1995
Kolář V.: Statické výpočty základových konstrukcí. Knižnice Aktualit České matice technické Praha, ed. plán 1994.
Kolář V.: Teoretický manuál FEM-Z k programům DEFOR a NE-XX, seminář FEM consulting s.r.o., 5. - 6.10.1993
v Brně.
16
Foundation and subsoil
Subsoil If necessary for the selected type, this item specifies the subsoil
parameters.
Type
Soilin For such a support, the interaction of the structure with the foundation
subsoil is carried out by means of SOILIN module.
Parameters C1z, C2x, C2y are calculated by SOILIN module.
Note: Parameters C1x and C1y are defined in Setup >
Solver dialogue.
Both Both of the above mentioned types are combined on the same slab.
The user defines which C parameters will be user-defined and which ones
will be calculated by SOILIN module.
Parameters can be defined in Setup > Solver dialogue. Those C
parameters that are input in this dialogue as zero, will be calculated by the
SOILIN module. Nonzero parameters will be taken as they are input.
Note: Parameters C1x and C1y must ALWAYS be user-
defined. SOILIN module is not able to calculate them.
SOILIN
Module Soilin can calculate parameters C1z, C2x, C2y. The other parameters must be defined by the user.
17
Foundations and Subsoil
It is also possible to eliminate the automatic calculation of some C parameters and define them manually. This can be
achieved by special adjustment of the subsoil parameters and set the type to Both (!).
If a certain C parameter in subsoil dialogue is set to zero, this C parameters will be calculated by the program.
If a certain C parameter in subsoil dialogue is set to non-zero value, such C parameter will be taken as input.
The type Both is not too common and it was introduced mainly for two reasons:
1. I use type Soilin but I want to have different friction in different parts of the structure. Therefore, the solver setup
dialogue is not enough for me, because is just one value can be adjusted there for the friction. Therefore, I can use type
Both and thus I am able to define several subsoils with non-zero constants C1x and C1y with all other parameters
adjusted to zero. When the Soilin module runs, the non-zero constants C1x and C1y are of higher priority than those
determined by the solver and are applied. Other "zero" values indicate that the values determined by the solver are
applied.
2. Sometimes it may be necessary to "suppress" higher values of shear (C2x, C2y) calculated by Soilin module. This
may happen e.g. when a new plate is modelled on an old one and the old plate is defined as the first layer of the subsoil.
It is a correct and proper solution, but as E modules of soil and concrete are dramatically different, the Soilin module
calculates high C2parameters. Consequently, the stiffness of the foundation slab in the model is bigger than if the two
slabs were "joined" together and input as a homogenous monolith. Therefore, C2 parameters may be reduced artificially.
This can be achieved in type Both. I define the subsoil with zero C1z (it will be determined by the Soilin module) and
other non-zero parameters (C2 and friction). Thus the Soilin module will provide only for C1z parameter.
Soil combination Specifies the load combination that is used for the calculation of C
parameters.
Even though it is not an exact solution, for practical reasons the C
parameters are not calculated separately for each load case or each load
case combination. The user must specify one particular reference
combination that is used to calculate the C parameters. The calculated C
parameters are then applied in all remaining defined load cases and
combinations.
Note: The combination must be a linear combination (not
an envelope).
Max soil interaction step Limits the size of iteration step.
Size of soil surface element Defines the size of FE element generated "in contact" with subsoil.
C parameters
The C parameters in the Solver setup dialogue are used as starting values for the iterative calculation. These values
may be ignored if combined Soilin-subsoil support has been chosen and the user specified that a certain C parameters is
to considered as user-defined. See chapter Surface support on slab.
Calculated C parameters
The calculated C parameters can be reviewed in 2D data viewer or in service Results.
The procedure to view the C parameters in 2D Data viewer
1. Perform the calculation
2. Open tree Calculation, mesh.
3. Start function 2D data viewer.
18
Foundation and subsoil
Note: This function offers all five C parameters. The two that are not calculated (C1x and C1y) are constant
across the whole groundslab. The other ones may have an arbitrary distribution depending on input boundary
conditions.
Note: This function offers only the (really) calculated C parameters. The two that are not calculated (C1x and
C1y) and are constant across the whole groundslab are not shown here.
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Foundations and Subsoil
Literature
[1] Altes J.
The limit depth for settlement calculations (Die Grenztiefe bei Setzungsberechnungen, in German).
Bauingenieur 51 (1976), No. 3, 93 – 96.
[2] Bažant Z.
Coefficients of Structural Strenght. In.: Proc. XI th Int. Conf. on Soil Mech. and Found. Eng., San
Francisco 1985, paper 4/A/32, pp. 1469 – 1471.
[5] ČSN – P – ENV 1997 – 1/731001 – Czech Standard for EC7 Application to the Spread (Shallow,
Raft and Plate) Foundations, with the National Rules, Prague 1993, 200 pp. An alternative to the
ČSN 731001 (from 1.10.1988) "The Subsoil Below Shallow Foundations" (75 pp. in Czech) holding
together with EC7.
[7] DIN 4019 Teil 1 (1979), Teil (1981), BAUGRUND Setzungsberechnungen (Subsoil – Foundations –
Settlement Calculations, in German), 80 pp. and various recommended text in German.
[9] EUROCODE 7 – Part 1, Geotechnical Design General Rules, Final Version, Editor: CEN/TC250,
EC7 Com., Berlin, 1993, 116 pp.
[16] Kolář V.
20
Foundation and subsoil
Interaction Between Structure and a Special Nonlinear Subsoil Model. In.: Numerical Methods in
Geomechanics, Proc. of 2nd Czech. Conf. Int. Partic. (IACMAG meeting), Sept. 2 4, 1992, Prague,
37 40
[18] Kolář V.
Iterative Solutions of Nonlinear Layered Sub soil Structure Interaction. In.: Proc. of Int. Conf.
GEOMECHANICS'91, September 24 26, 1991, Czecho slo vakia, edited by A.A.BALKEMA,
Rotterdam, 1992, 197 206.
[19] Kolář V.
Interaction Between Motorway and Airport Pave ment Slabs and Their Subsoil. In.: 2nd Int. Conf. on
Traffic Effects ..., High Tatras, Czechoslovakia, ed. by VTS Žilina, April 22 24, 1991, sect.F, ref
No.3, 1 8
[20] Němec I.
NE XX Program Package. User Manuals to the Programs NE 10, NE 14, new editions, 1997-98.
[21] Němec I.
Dynamics of Foundation Plates. In.: Proc. 1st. Conf. on Mechanics, Geomech. Section, Academy of
Sciences Prague, Vol. 6, 1987, p. 90 – 93.
21
Loads
Soil pressure and water pressure
Several types of load (point force, line load and surface load) can be defined as what is called "soil pressure" or "water
pressure ". Both loads are quite related and will be explained together.
Both load types appear only if a structure is located underground. Depending on the surrounding soil, level of
underground water and depth below the surface, the program automatically calculates the soil pressure and water
pressure.
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Foundations and Subsoil
Water and soil loads can be input for the following load cases:
action type = "permanent" and load type = "standard",
action type = "variable" and load type = "static".
The procedure to input soil / water pressure
1. Open service Load.
2. Start function the required load type (point, line, surface).
3. Adjust the parameters - see below.
4. Confirm with [OK].
5. Apply the load on required entities.
Soil / water load parameters
In addition to common parameters for point, line and slab load, this load type requires the input of the following data:
Borehole profile Specifies the borehole that is used for the generation of the pressure.
24
Loads
Note: Water pressure is generated only below the level of underground water. If the whole model is above the
water level, no pressure is generated at all.
Note: Please note, that the pressure is generated on the basis of data provided in the dialogue. It means that
the "geologic" data are derived exclusively from the borehole profile provided. The generated soil pressure
takes no account of possibly displayed earth surface. Even if the surface has been calculated and is displayed,
the program does not calculate the intersection of the surface with the member that is subject to the soil
pressure. The part of the member that is underground is determined only and solely from the specified single
borehole profile. See the picture below.
The picture demonstrates the note above. There are three columns defined. There are several boreholes defined. The
surface was calculated and is shown in the picture – the inclined line joining the top ends of the two boreholes. The soil
pressure was input on all the columns. The left most borehole was used as the reference parameter for the definition of
all three loads. That is the reason why the distribution of the soil pressure generated on all columns is identical. In other
words, the two columns on the right are subject to soil pressure even above the surface. The calculated surface does not
influence the generation of the soil pressure.
Pressure load
Parameters
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Foundations and Subsoil
Type Outside
The pipe is exposed to external pressure.
Inside
The pipe is exposed to internal pressure.
Distribution Uniform
The uniform pressure acts on the pipe.
Trapez
The pressure has trapezoidal distribution.
Close begin If ON, the pipe is closed at the starting point. This option has an effect on
the calculation algorithm.
Close end If ON, the pipe is closed at the end-point. This option has an effect on the
calculation algorithm.
26
Calculation
Soilin calculation parameters
Solver parameters relating to SOILIN module
Soil combination Specifies the load combination that is used for the calculation of C
parameters.
Even though it is not an exact solution, for practical reasons the C
parameters are not calculated separately for each load case or each load
case combination. The user must specify one particular reference
combination that is used to calculate the C parameters. The calculated C
parameters are then applied in all remaining defined load cases and
combinations.
Note: The combination must be a linear combination (not
an envelope).
Max soil interaction step Limits the size of iteration step.
Size of soil surface element Defines the size of FE element generated "in contact" with subsoil.
C parameters
The C parameters in the Solver setup dialogue are used as starting values for the iterative calculation. These values
may be ignored if combined Soilin-subsoil support has been chosen and the user specified that a certain C parameters is
to considered as user-defined. See chapter Surface support on slab.
27
Results
Results on beams
Permanent loads All permanent load cases are considered together. Only the total reaction
(sum of all permanent load cases) is given.
Variable load case Variable load cases which are not in an exclusive group. They can act
simultaneously with all other variable loads.
- not exclusive
Variable load cases These load cases cannot act simultaneously with other load cases of the
same exclusive group.
- exclusive
Extremes This section contains extreme values composed from all permanent and
variable load cases.
Selection The results may be shown for either All or User-defined entities.
Filter Here, the user may limit the selection to specific entities only.
Coefficient This option enables the user to select and / or define a set of coefficients
for individual load cases. The reactions in the foundation table are
multiplied by these coefficients.
Rotated support This option has influence only when rotated supports exist the project.
If this option is not marked, the reactions in the global axes are drawn.
If this option is marked, the reactions in the axes of the support are drawn.
Note: More information about display settings for results may be found in chapter Opening the service Results
and Displaying the internal forces.
Example of a foundation table
29
Foundations and Subsoil
30
Results
31
Foundations and Subsoil
Note: More information about display settings for results may be found in chapter Opening the service Results
and Displaying the internal forces.
Results on slabs
32
Results
Style of isolines.
Calculated C parameters
The calculated C parameters can be reviewed in 2D data viewer or in service Results.
The procedure to view the C parameters in 2D Data viewer
1. Perform the calculation
2. Open tree Calculation, mesh.
3. Start function 2D data viewer.
4. Select function Subsoil.
5. Select the required parameter.
6. Adjust other drawing parameters.
7. Invoke the refresh of the screen (through button [Refresh] in the property window)
Note: This function offers all five C parameters. The two that are not calculated (C1x and C1y) are constant
across the whole groundslab. The other ones may have an arbitrary distribution depending on input boundary
conditions.
33
Foundations and Subsoil
Note: This function offers only the (really) calculated C parameters. The two that are not calculated (C1x and
C1y) and are constant across the whole groundslab are not shown here.
34