C.R. Patra, N. Sivakugan, B. M. Das and B.

Sethy, (2015), “Ultimate bearing capacity of rectangular foundation on

sand under eccentric loading”, Proceedings of the XVI ECSMGE Geotechnical Engineering for Infrastructure and
Development,https://www.researchgate.net/publication/319037451_Ultimate_bearing_capacity_of_rectangular_foun
dation_on_sand_under_eccentric_loading

1. Introduction
Eccentric loading in rectangular foundations results in non – uniform stress distribution, thus causing uneven
settlement and reduction in ultimate bearing capacity. The paper under study reviews existing methods for
computation of ultimate bearing capacity for strip foundations subjected to eccentric load and proposes new
empirical correlations for determination of reduction factor R k by conducting model tests. The empirical
relationship thus developed presents a fairly good agreement with previous studies on the subject and can
be utilized conveniently for ultimate bearing capacity calculations for varying dimensions of rectangular
foundations on sand.

2. Summary
First part of the paper explains earlier work done on evaluating ultimate bearing capacity of eccentrically
loaded strip and rectangular foundations by researchers including

a. Meyerhof (1953) quʹ = qNqSqdq + (1/2) γ BʹNγSγdγ (strip foundation)

b. Purkayadtha and Char (1977) qu (eccentric) = RK = [1-a(e/B) m] (strip foundation)
The paper focuses on the determination of empirical relationships ‘a’ and ‘m’ of Reduction factor R k for
ultimate bearing capacity determination of strip foundations by Purkayastha and Char (1977). For this
purpose, three model foundations (B/L=1,0.5,0.333) made of mild steel plates (30 mm thick) with rough
base were tested in a poorly graded sand poured in 25 mm layers in a test tank (1m x 0.65m x 0.655m).
Load was applied on the desired foundation placed at desired D f/B ratio (0,0.5,1.0) at the middle of the box
and corresponding settlement measured. Important test parameters include

a. Average unit weight of sand during test γ = 14.36 KN/m³, Dr = 69 %, Ø = 40.8º

b. Df /B = 0, 0.5, 1.0; e/B = 0, 0.05, 0.10, 0.15
Based on above mentioned foundation parameters and experimental results, ultimate bearing capacity
calculated and same utilized for finding reduction factor Rk (experimental) by Purkayastha and Char (1977)
method. Furthermore, regression analysis was used to calculate magnitudes of ‘a’ and ‘m’ in Purkayastha
and Char (1977) Reduction factor equation i.e R K = [1-a(e/B) m]. By plotting ‘a’ and ‘m’ values vs B/L the
following correlations were formulated:

a. a = (B/L)2 -1.6(B/L) + 2.13

 b. m = 0.3(B/L)2 -0.56(B/L) +0.9
Rk value was calculated from new correlations and compared with Mayerhoff and Purkayastha and Char
(1977) method Rk values.
3. Analysis and Critique

Rk values calculated from new correlations determined for ‘a’ and ‘m’ conform fairly well with those
calculated from Mayerhof and Purkayastha and Char (1977) with difference less than 10 % except in the
case of foundation placed on surface with greater e/B ratio i.e. 0.15.

In order to show the the non-dependency of R k on Ø, theoretical results i.e values of Rk determined from
Purkayastha and Char (1977) equation have been compared with work done by earlier researchers based on
experimental model tests conducted with varying parameters. The theoretical results are very close to the
experimental results of earlier researchers. However, the parameters of model dimensions of earlier
research work has not been specified i.e whether same parameters were used as in current study or
otherwise.

Rk vs e/B curves from newly developed correlation is very close to Rk vs e/B curve of Purkayastha and
Char (1977) method which shows the correctness of the deduced empirical relations.

Based on research of DeBeer (1965) Nγ value decreases with increase in width of foundation B upto γB =
1.5 KN/m² after which rate of decrease is minimized. Also high Nγ values are obtained by large scale field
tests as compared to theory. This implies that average load per unit area (q) calculated in the field tests is
bit on the higher side as compared to calculation from theoretical equations.

Author has also highlighted scale effect in case of laboratory model test in sand for evaluation of ultimate
bearing capacity of shallow foundations from the plots of Nγ /2 vs Ø between small scale laboratory tests,
large scale field tests and theoretical equations. The author explains that for loose sand Nγ values are high
for field tests as compared to small scale laboratory tests whereas in case of dense sand it is vice versa.
However theoretically obtained values of Nγ are less from field and laboratory tests in case of loose and
dense sand. Therefore, scale effect can be minimized in theoretical calculations as R k is a ratio of bearing
capacity and value of Nγ would not effect in this case.

The research approach applied by the author is logical and systematic. Experimental results have been
compared with theoretical results leading to conformity of results to a greater extent.

4. Conclusion

The paper presents a good comparison between theoretical, field and laboratory calculations of Reduction
Factor (Rk) in order to determine ultimate bearing capacity for foundations subjected to eccentric load. In
this paper Purkayastha and Char (1977) method has been further improved by formulating of new empirical
relationship for calculation of Reduction factor which can be utilized for rectangular foundations also.

5. References

DeBeer, E. E. (1965). Bearing capacity and settlement of shallow foundations on sand. Bearing
Capacity and Settlement of Foundations, 15–33.
Janbu, N. (1957). Earth pressures and bearing capacity calculations by generalized procedure of
slices. IV International Conference on Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering, 207–211.
Meyerhof, G. G. (1963). Some recent research on the bearing capacity of foundations. Canadian
Geotechnical Journal, 16–26.
Meyerhof, G. G. (1953). The bearing capacity of foundations under eccentric and inclined loads. III
International Conference on Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering, 440–445.
Muhs, E. (1963). Ueber die zulässige Belastung nicht bindigen Böden. Mitteilungen Der Degebo.
Prakash, S. & Saran, S. (1971). Bearing capacity of eccentrically loaded footings. Journal of the
Soil Mechanics and Foundations Division, ASCE, 95–117.
Purkayastha, R. D. & C. (1977). Stability analysis for eccentrically loaded footings. Journal of the
Geotechnical Engineering Division, ASCE, 647–651.