Question 1: bearing capacity

Figure 1 is a 2m square footing founded on undrained clay

cu = 55kPa, s = 18kN/m3 is to be subjected to a characteristic vertical loads:
permanent load of 425 kN including self weight of the footing, and variable load
of 40 kN. Assess the suitability of the foundation using an ULS analysis under
DA1. State any assumptions made.
 Steps:
1. State assumptions

2. List the set of Characteristic Actions and Materials

parameters.

3. Obtain design partial factors.

4. Carry out the calculations for:

(i) Design values of Actions, Material parameters and Resistance
(ii) Bearing capacity factors
(iii) Shape factors, base and load inclination factors
(iv) Design bearing pressure due to Action effects
(v) Design bearing resistance due to material properties

5. Verify ULS.
 Assumptions:
1. Water table at the surface but the uplift is a favourable
action, thus ignored.

2. No loading eccentricity, no bending moments, square

footing, B = L thus assume A’ = A = B x L.

3. To ignore the backfill q on the footing has the effect of

reducing the design bearing capacity.
R/A’= (2+)cu bcscic+q

4. Middle 1/3: assuming even distribution causes no

concerns

5. No horizontal actions, thus only ULS check is against

bearing capacity.
 Steps:
1. State assumptions

2. List the set of Characteristic Actions and Materials

parameters.

3. Obtain design partial factors.

4. Carry out the calculations for:

(i) Design values of Actions, Material parameters and Resistance
(ii) Bearing capacity factors
(iii) Shape factors, base and load inclination factors
(iv) Design bearing pressure due to Action effects
(v) Design bearing resistance due to material properties

5. Verify ULS.
List the set of Chatacteristic Actions
and Materials parameters:
VGk = 425kN unfavourable
VQk = 40kN unfavourable
(self-weight of footing included)

Cuk = 55kPa
sk = 18kN/m3
 Steps:
1. State assumptions

2. List the set of Characteristic Actions and Materials

parameters.

3. Obtain design partial factors.

4. Carry out the calculations for:

(i) Design values of Actions and Material parameters
(ii) Bearing capacity factors
(iii) Shape factor, base and load inclination factors
(iv) Design bearing pressure due to Action effects
(v) Design bearing resistance (bearing capacity) due to material properties

5. Verify ULS.
Partial factors:
Partial factors on actions (F)
or the effects of actions (E)
Action Symbol Set
A1 A2
Permanent Unfavourable G 1.35 1.0
Favourable 1.0 1.0
Variable Unfavourable Q 1.5 1.3
Favourable 0 0

Partial factors for soil parameters (M)

Soil parameter Symbol Value

M1 M2 Partial resistance factors

for spread foundations (R)
Shearing resistance 1 1.0 1.25
Resistance Symbol Set
Effective cohesion c 1.0 1.25
R1 R2 R3
Undrained strength cu 1.0 1.4
Bearing Rv 1.0 1.4 1.0
Unconfined strength qu 1.0 1.4
Sliding Rh 1.0 1.1 1.0
Weight density  1.0 1.0
1 This factor is applied to tan '
Partial Factors:

Actions: C1 (Set A1) C2 (Set A2)

VGk = 425kN unfavourable G = 1.35 C2: G = 1.0
VQk = 40kN unfavourable Q = 1.5 C2: Q = 1.3

Material: C1 (Set M1) C2 (Set M2)

Cuk = 55kPa cu = 1.0 cu = 1.4
k = 18kN/m3  = 1.0  = 1.0

Resistance:
C1 and C2 (Set R1) RV = 1.0
 Steps:
1. State assumptions

2. List the set of Characteristic Actions and Materials

parameters.

3. Obtain design partial factors.

4. Carry out the calculations for:

(i) Design values of Actions and Material parameters
(ii) Bearing capacity factors
(iii) Shape factor, base and load inclination factors
(iv) Design bearing pressure due to Action effects
(v) Design bearing resistance (bearing capacity) due to material properties

5. Verify ULS.
Equations for undrained bearing capacity and the
factors:
R/A’= (2+)cu bc sc ic + q

If q is ignored we designing on critical side as it reduces the bearing

capacity R/A’. Thus the eq is now expressed as:

R/A’= (2+)cu bc sc ic Note: (2+) is the Pradtl expression

of Nc
bc=1–2α/(π+2)

α is the inclination of the foundation base to the

horizontal

sc = 1+ 0.2 (B'/L') (rectangular shape)

sc = 1.2 (square or circular shape)

ic=0.5(1+√(1-H/(A’cu)))
calculations: Design values


calculations: Design values
 calculations: BEARING CAPACITY FACTORS;
N, Nq, and Nc

The problem in the question is under undrained conditions, this we

assume the undrained angle of internal friction, u = 0. Therefore
both N and Nq disappear from the net bearing capacity equation
leaving only Nc
calculations: BOTHER FACTORS sc, bc, ic
calculations: Design bearing pressure, qEd

Since no eccentricity has been given nor mentioned, we assumed the

loading is centric with a uniformly distributed bearing pressure at the
footing-soil interface. In that case assumed also is full cross section
contact between the base of the footing and the ground. Thus A’ = A.
calculations: Design bearing resistance, qRd
 Steps:
1. State assumptions

2. List the set of Characteristic Actions and Materials

parameters.

3. Obtain design partial factors.

4. Carry out the calculations for:

(i) Design values of Actions and Material parameters
(ii) Bearing capacity factors
(iii) Shape factor, base and load inclination factors
(iv) Design bearing pressure due to Action effects
(v) Design bearing resistance (bearing capacity) due to material properties

5. Verify ULS.
Verify: Ed  Rd for ULS
This can also be re-stated as qEd  qRd against bearing capacity

Both C1 and C2 are OK

Verify: utilisation ratio, 

Despite verifying Ed  Rd, we need to assess the efficacy of the limit state design. 100%
means the ULS has been reached and safe. Less than 100% shows safe design but with
an over design factor.

 Shows no realistic difference between the two combination though C2 is marginally

performed better than C1. The decision may lie on confidence in soil parameter
acquisition etc.

Since there is no horizontal action involved verification of the Horizontal moment

equilibrium ratio (Hd/Vd < 0.4) is NOT required!
Horizontal moment equilibrium
ratio: Hd/Vd

Must be less than < 0.4 as per

recommendation