12.

1 Show that the ultimate load for a strip footing under long-term conditions
1
using the two triangle failure surfaces shown in Fig. P12.1 is Pu  B2 N ,
2
2 tan    tan    3
2
2sin 3 
where N  
1  tan 2     2 1  tan    cos    sin 3 
 

Solution 12.1

P
B
WB TAB TAB
WA A
NAB TA
B

NB TB NA

Z
X
From the free body diagram of A, we get

A  N A tan  (1)
AB  N AB tan  (2)

  Fx  0 : N AB  N A sin 45  A cos 45  0 (3)


Putting equation (1) into (3) we get
 N A 1  tan 
2
 N AB  (4)
2

2 N AB
NA   (5)
2 1  tan 

 Fz  0 : AB  WA  N A cos 45  A sin 45  0 (6)

Putting equation (1) and (2) into (6), we get

N A 1  tan 
2
N AB tan   WA  (7)
2

Substituting (5) into (7) we obtain

 1  tan  
N AB  tan      WA
 1  tan  
 tan   tan 2   1  tan  
N AB   = - WA

 1  tan  
1
 WA 1  tan   B2 1  tan 
N AB   2 (8)
tan 2'  2tan'  1 tan 2'  2tan'  1

1 2
where WA  B
2

Similarly summing forces in the x direction for B, we get

2
N AB  N B 1  tan  (9)
2

Similarly summing forces in the z direction for B, after substituting (9) and simplifying we get

 1  2tan  tan 2 

N AB   = WB  P (10)
 1  tan 

1 2 1
WB  B and P  B 2 N  (11)
2 2

Substituting (8) and (11) in (10) we get

N 

 1+tan  1  2tan  tan 2  1
 tan   2tan  1 1  tan
2


2tan 3  6tan


2tan tan 2  3 
 
1  tan tan 2  2tan  1 1  tan 1  tan 2  2
2sin3
Simplifying weget N  
cos  sin3
12.2 A strip footing, 5 m wide, is founded on the surface of a deep deposit of
clay. The undrained shear strength of the clay increases linearly from 3 kPa at the
surface to 10 kPa at a depth of 5 m. Estimate the vertical ultimate load assuming
that the load is applied at an eccentricity of 0.5 m from the center of the footing’s
width. [Hint: Try a circular failure surface, determine the equation for the
distribution of shear strength with depth, and integrate the shear strength over the
radius to find the shear force.]

Solution 12.2

Pa Pa
-e e
O
3 kPa
 B/2
z
d
dl
5m
Slope = 7/5
Radius = B
10 kPa

The answer will vary according to the assumed failure mechanism. The eccentricity could be to the right
(e) or left (-e) of the centerline.

Assume a circular failure plane and consider an element at a depth z. The undrained shear strength at this
depth is su = 7z/5 + 3

Now, consider an element d as shown in the figure above.

The arc length is dl = B d and z = B sin 

The force on this arc length = su B d = (7z/5 +3) B d = (7B sin  /5 +3) B d

 Mo  0 :
B   
/ 2
 7  
Pu   e   2   Bsin   3  Bd B  0
2    0 5  

/ 2
B   7 
Pu   e   2   Bcos   3 B2  0
2   5 0
(The 2 in the second term of the above equations comes from the fact we are integrating over a quadrant
and we have two quadrants.)
/ 2 / 2
 7   7 
Now, 2   Bcos   3 B2  2    5  cos   3 52  585.7 kN.m
 5 0  5 0

585.7
Pu   180.2kN or 334.7kN
5 
  0.75 
2 
12.3 The centroid of a square foundation of sides 5 m is located 10 m away from
the edge of a vertical cut of depth 4 m. The soil is a stiff clay with an
undrained strength of 20 kPa and a unit weight of 16 kN/m3. Calculate the
vertical ultimate load. Assume a circular failure surface for the footing and
a planar surface for the cut.

Solution 12.3

P
1.5m r = 1.5m
2.5m 3.5m

E
D O E  D = 450
cut C

C
Section B

For undrained condition,   0

Assuming a planar failure plane for the cut. The slope of the failure plane (Chapter 10) is:

  45   45
2
Assuming a circular failure mode for the footing. We find that the circular failure surface intersects with
the failure plane of the cut.
Therefore, we can assume that the surface CE has no shearing resistance.

Consider section ECD as shown in the figure “Section B” P

B/2
 3.5m
Length CE = r () = 1.5  0.375  1.178m
4 D
su (CD)
O
Length CD = 1.5  cos(45 )  1.061 m C B

su
Moment about O (figure on right)
su (CD) cos 45

 Mo  0 :
B
P  s u ( B  1.178 )  B  ( s u 1.061 cos 45 )  3.5  0
2
2.5P  20(  5  1.178 )  5  ( 20  1.061 cos 45 )  3.5
1400
P  560 kN / m
2.5
12.4 Calculate the ultimate net bearing capacity of (a) a strip footing 2 m wide,
(b) a square footing 3 m  3 m, and (c) a circular footing 3 m in diameter.
All footings are located on the ground surface and the groundwater level is
at the ground surface. The soil is medium-dense coarse-grained with
sat = 17kN/m and  p = 30 from direct shear tests.
3 '

Solution 12.4

1
qu  BN  s  ,     = 17 – 9.8 = 7.2 kN/ m 3
2
N  0.1054 exp (9.6' )  16.06
B B B
s   1  0.4 ,  1 (square footing),  0 (strip footing)
L L L
s   0.6 (square or circular footing); s  1 (strip)

1
(a) q u (strip)=  7.2  2  16.06  1 = 116 kPa
2
1
(b) q u (square)=  7.2  3  16.06  0.6 = 104 kPa
2
1
(c) q u (circular)=  7.2  3  16.06  0.6 = 104 kPa
2
12.5 A strip footing, founded on dense sand (  'p = 35 from direct shear tests.and
sat = 17kN/m3 ), is to be designed to support a vertical load of 400 kN per
meter length. Determine a suitable width for this footing for FS = 3. The
footing is located 1 m below the ground surface. The groundwater level is
10 m below the ground surface.

Solution 12.5

Assume B = 1.2m and the test data are from plane strain tests. Use Davis & Booker expression for N  .

Using the spreadsheet with B =1.1 m

    35 , Nq  33.3, Nq  1  32.3, N  37.1, sq  s  1

dq  1.23,d   1.0
q u   Df (N q  1) s q d q  0.5  B N  s  d 
q u  (17 1 32.3 11.23)  (0.5  17 1.2  37.1 1 1)  1023kPa

400
a   363.6
1.11
1023
FS   3.0
363.6  17 1

B = 1.1 m is suitable width for the footing

12.6 A square footing, 3 m wide, is located 1.5 m below the surface of a stiff
clay. Determine the allowable bearing capacity for short-term condition if
(su)p =100 kPa, and sat = 20 kN/m3. If the footing were located on the
surface, what would be the allowable bearing capacity? Use FS = 3.
Comment on the use of the (su)p value for both the embedded and the surface
footing.

Solution 12.6

Stiff clay
s u  100kPa,  sat  20kN / m 3

q u  5.14s u sc d c
sc  1.2,d c  1.17

Position (1): D f  1.5m

qu  5.14 100 1.2 1.17  719 kPa

qu
qa   Df
3
719
  20 1.5  270 kPa
3

Position (2): Df  0

qu  5.14 100 1.2 1  617kPa

q u 617
qa    206kPa
3 3
Comment on the use of the (su)p value for both the embedded and the surface footing.
The (su)p may not be the same. The value of su depends on the void ratio (or confining pressure).
The confining pressure changes with depth so su will change with depth. Also, soils tend to be
overconsolidated near the surface with the possibility that a tensile rather than a general failure
mode can occur.
12.7 A column carrying a load of 750 kN is to be founded on a square footing at
a depth of 2 m below the ground surface in a deep clay stratum. What will
be the size of the footing for FS = 3 for TSA? The soil parameters are,
sat = 18.5kN/m , and su = 55 kPa. The groundwater level is at the base of
3

the footing but it is expected to rise to the ground surface during rainy
seasons.

Solution 12.7

Clay
sat  18.5kN / m3 , su  55kPa , '  8.7kN / m3 ,

TSA

Assume B =2 m
B
q u  5.14 suscdc , sc  1  0.2  1.2 , dc  1.33
L
q ult = 5.14  55  1.2  1.33 = 451 kPa
750
applied stress, = a   187.5 kPa
2 2
451
FS = 3
187.5  8.7  2

Use B =2 m
12.8 Repeat Exercise 12.7 with a moment of 250 kN.m about an axis parallel to
the length in addition to the vertical load.

Solution 12.8

Clay
sat  18.5kN / m3 , su  55kPa , '  8.7kN / m3 ,

TSA

250
eB   0.33 m
750

Assume B = 2.8 m

750  6  0.33 
max  1  164 kPa
2.82  2.8 
B'  B  2e B  3  2  0.33  2.33m

sc  1.2,dc  1.31 ,

TSA

qu  5.14  55  1.2  1.31  444 kPa

444
FS = 3
164  2  8.7

Use a footing of width 2.8 m

12.9 A square footing located on a dense sand is required to carry a dead load of
200 kN and a live load of 300 kN, both inclined at 15 to the vertical plane
along the width. The building code requires an embedment depth of 1.2 m.
Groundwater level is at 1 m below the ground surface. Calculate the size of
the footing using ASD and LRFD for  p'  35 from direct shear tests,
sat = 18.5kN/m3 and FS = 3. Assume the soil above the groundwater level
to be saturated.

Solution 12.9

Nq  33.3, Nq  1  32.3, N  37.13

iq  0.63 i   0.46,   18.5  9.8  8.7 kN/ m 3

ASD: Total load + 300 + 200 = 500 kN
LRFD: Pu = 1.25 x 200 + 1.75 x 300 = 775 kN

Assume B =1.6 m

D f  1  18.5  8.7  0.2  20.2kPa

qu  ( 32.3  20.2  0.63 )  ( 0.5  8.7  1.6  27.13  0.46 )  528 kPa
ASD:
Vertical load = 500 cos (15) = 483 kN

483
Applied stress =  188.7 kPa
1.62

528
FS = 3
188.7  20.2

Use a square footing of width 1.6 m

LRFD
Vertical load = 775 cos (15) = 748.6 kN
qult  528  20.2  548.2kPa
i qult  0.8  548.2  438.6 kPa
748.6
Applied stress =  292.4 kPa < 438.6 kPa
1.62
The footing size is more than adequate for LRFD. You can use a smaller footing ( B =
1.2 m can be used)
 12.10 The footing for a bridge pier is to be founded in sand, as shown in Fig.
P12.10. The clay layer is normally consolidated with Cc = 0.25. Determine
the factor of safety against bearing capacity failure and the total settlement
(elastic compression and primary consolidation) of the pier. The shear
strength parameters were obtained from direct simple shear tests.

Cc = 0.25

Solution 12.10

B = 3m, Df  5m  B, GWL below B from base. No effect from GWL

12  103
q applied   400 kPa
3  10

 2.7  0.52 
 sat   9.8  20.8 kN m
3
Dense sand:  1  0.52 
   20.8  9.8  11.0 kN m 3

 2.7  0.92 
 sat   9.8  18.5 kN m
3
Clay:  1  0.92 
   18.5  9.8  8.7 kN m 3
Bearing capacity of sand

Nq  37.8, Nq 1  36.8, N  43.9, sq  1.22, dq  1.25,s  0.88,d   1.0

qu   20.8  5  36.8  1.22  1.25   0.5  20.8  3  43.9  0.88  1.0   7042 kPa
 7042
FS =  23.8
400  20.8  5
Bearing capacity of clay
B
H cr = exp  Atan ' p 
  '

2 cos  45  p 
 2
 
 ' p    36  
A   45   radians      0.47
 2  4 2 180 
 
3
H cr = exp  0.47tan36  4.64m > (9 m – 5 m = 4 m)
 36 
2 cos  45  
 2 

Failure surface would penetrate clay

Short term:
qu = 5.14 x 40 x (1 +0.2 x 3/10) = 218 kPa
12000
Vertical stress at top of clay =  70.5kPa
10  17
FS = 218/70.5 = 3. ; OK
Elastic settlement of sand

Ab B 3
   0.3
4L 2 L 10

 s  0.45(.3) 0.38 =0.71

5  4 
 emb  1  0.04 1  3  0.3  0.81
3  
2
A w  23  5  10  5  130m 2 ;
A w 130
  4.33
Ab 30

 wall  1  0.164.330.54  0.65

e 
12  10 3
 10 
1  0.35  0.71  0.81  0.65
2
= 0.0143m = 14.3mm
55  10 3   
 2

Elastic settlement of clay

Assume a load dispersion of 2:1. The equivalent size of footing on the top of the clay is (3+4) 
(10+4) = 7m  14m.
Now
Df  9m
9  4 
emb  1  0.04 1  x .5  0.83, A w  2  7  9  14  9   432m 2 , A b  7 14  98m 2
7 3 
2
 

 s  0.45(.5) 0.38  0.59

Neglect wall effect.

12  103
e 
 14 

1  0.452   0.59  0.83  1  0.0446m  44.6 mm
15  103   
 2

Primary consolidation:
 zo   20.8  8  11  1  8.7  0.5 ,  181.8 kPa
:At center of clay:
 z  143.4 kPa ( surface stresses utility computer program)

final  181.8  143.4  325.2 kPa

1000  325.2 
 c   0.25 log   32.4mm
1  0.95  181.8 

Total settlement = 14.3 + 44.6 + 32.4 = 91.3 mm

12.11 A multilevel building is supported on a footing 58 m wide  75 m long × 3
m thick resting on a very stiff deposit of saturated clay. The footing is located at 3
m below ground level. The average stress at the base of the footing is 350 kPa.
Groundwater level is at 12 m below the surface. Field and laboratory tests gave the
following results:
Depth (m) 0.5 6 25
su (kPa) 58 122 156

eo = 0.57, Cc = 0.16, Cr = 0.035, OCR = 10,  'p = 28 , cs' = 24 , Eu = 100 MPa, u
= 0.45, E  90 MPa, and v  0.3 . Determine the total settlement and the safety
factor against bearing capacity failure. The shear strength parameters were obtained from
direct simple shear tests.
Solution 12.11

Short Term: (TSA)

qu  5.14susc , sc  1.15 , dc = 1 (shear strength above footing depth lower than below)
su at base of footing is 87kPa; su at a depth B below footing is 156kPa
Take average su = 121.5kPa
qult  5.14  121.5  1.15  721kPa
Assume soil is saturated.
G  eo 2.7  0.57
 sat  w  9.8  20.4kN / m3
1  eo 1  0.57
Df = 3 x 20.4 = 61.2 kPa
721
FS   2.5
350  61.2

Long Term: (ESA)

Use bearing capacity program utility to find N q , N  , shape and depth factors.

Nq  14.7, Nq  1  13.7, N  11.5 for 'p  28o

    20.4  9.8  10.6 kN/ m 3
=======

Short side failure

sq  1.41 s  0.69,dq  1.02,d   1 ,
qu  20.4  3 13.7  1.41 1.02+0.5 11.5  ( 9  20.4  10.6  49 )  0.69 1 = 3994 kPa
Long side failure
sq  1.69 s   0.48,dq  1.01,d   1
qu  20.4  3 13.7  1.69 1.01+0.5 11.5  ( 9  20.4  10.6  66 )  0.48 1 lk= 3869 kPa
Long side failure governs

3869
FS =  13.4
350  61.2

Long Term Settlement

Assume effective depth=2 B.
For consolidation settlement consider 10 layers, each 14.5 m, and compute  z at center of each layer.
Depth (z/B) z (kPa)
0.25 331.2
0.5 263.6
0.75 192
1 139.6
1.25 100
1.5 76
1.75 59.6
2 47.6

Then use the harmonic mean value (see Chapter 9).  z  210kPa
Elastic settlement

Ab B 58
   0.77
4L2 L 75

 s  0.45(.77) 0.38 =0.5

3  4 
 emb  1  0.04 1  3  0.77  0.98
58  
2
A w  2  358  75  798m 2 ;
Aw 798
  0.18
Ab 58  75

 wall  1  0.16.180.54  0.94

58  75  350  10 3
e   
1  0.3 2  0.5  0.98  0.94 = 170 mm
 
75
100  10 3   
 2
Primary consolidation:
The depth corresponding to a stress increase of 210 kPa is 40 m from the bottom of the footing
 zo   20.4  12   10.6 31  573.4 kPa
:  zc  10  573.4  5734kPa
 zo   z  573.4  210  783.4kPa   zc

2  58  1000  783.4 
 c   0.035 log   351mm
1  0.57  573.4 
Note the thickness of the layer is 2B = 2 x 58

Total settlement = 170 + 351 = 520 mm

This settlement is large. The actual settlement could be smaller because of the many simplifying
assumptions made in this type of calculations.
Solution 12.12

You can set up a spreadsheet to do the calculations as shown below.

ASD

Assume zero eccentricity

SHALLOW FOUNDATION DESIGN USING CSM Help Surface stress 274.3 kPa
DENSE SAND
RESULTS  0.8
CSM: BEARING CAPACITY, FS 1.32  0.03
CSM: SETTLEMENT 3.1 5.8 mm  0.007
M 1.20
sat 18.8

DATA INPUT FOR FOOTING Bearing Capacity Calculations 'zo 24.9 kPa

Select Footing type Square Ip 0.218 p'o 33.2 kPa

B = Width 1.35 m Iq 0.388 qo -12.4 kPa
m D p 59.8 kPa p'k 149.3 kPa

Depth of embedment 1 m q 106.4 kPa qk 111.9 kPa

Footing Dead Load 200 kN qyH 124.1 kPa p'c 207.6 kPa
Footing Live Load 300 kN Iz 0.7 Ro 6.3
Eccentricity 0 FS 1.32 OK 'zc 223.9 kPa
Total - ASD 500 kN Ductility 1.0544 OK 'xo 37.3 kPa

DATA INPUT FOR LAB TEST SETTLEMENT 'yo 37.3 kPa

Critical state friction angle 30 degrees f 'cs 0.52 radian

Cc 0.08 Long term 3.1 f 'cs 30.00 degrees
Cr 0.016 Total 3.1 mm total Ko nc 0.50
oc
OCR 9 1-D 5.8 mm max Ko 1.50
Unit weight 18.8 KN/m3 eo 0.851111
DATA INPUT FOR SAMPLE ec 0.838
Sample depth 1.675 m ek 0.836
Depth of groundwater 1m tc 0.14
Poisson's ratio 0.35 m 0.51
LOADING CONDITION Rt 7.25
Select axisymmetric nt 3
no 1.8
mu 0.35
E 49363.266 kPa
G 18282.6911 kPa
z 3.1107252 mm
For eccentricity of a maximum of 10% of width
SHALLOW FOUNDATION DESIGN USING CSM Help Surface stress 244.4 kPa
DENSE SAND
RESULTS  0.8
CSM: BEARING CAPACITY, FS 1.27  0.03
CSM: SETTLEMENT 2.6 3.3 mm  0.007
M 0.87
sat 18.8

DATA INPUT FOR FOOTING Bearing Capacity Calculations 'zo 25.6 kPa

Select Footing type Square Ip 0.218 p'o 34.1 kPa

B = Width 1.5 m Iq 0.388 qo -12.8 kPa
m D p 53.3 kPa p'k 153.3 kPa

Depth of embedment 1 m q 94.8 kPa qk 115.0 kPa

Footing Dead Load 200 kN qyH 104.2 kPa p'c 268.3 kPa
Footing Live Load 300 kN Iz 0.4 Ro 7.9
Eccentricity 0.025 FS 1.27 OK 'zc 230.0 kPa
Total - ASD 500 kN Ductility 1.0761 OK 'xo 38.3 kPa

DATA INPUT FOR LAB TEST SETTLEMENT 'yo 38.3 kPa

Critical state friction angle 30 degrees f 'cs 0.52 radian

Cc 0.08 Long term 2.6 f 'cs 30.00 degrees
Cr 0.016 Total 2.6 mm total Ko nc 0.50
oc
OCR 9 1-D 3.3 mm max Ko 1.50
Unit weight 18.8 KN/m3 eo 0.851111
DATA INPUT FOR SAMPLE ec 0.837
Sample depth 1.75 m ek 0.836
Depth of groundwater 1m tc 0.20
Poisson's ratio 0.35 m 0.29
LOADING CONDITION Rt 5.00
Select plane strain nt 1.73205081
no 1.8
mu 0.35
E 63750.2355 kPa
G 23611.1983 kPa
z 2.58191326 mm

Minimum footing size with eccentricity requirement satisfied is 1.5m x 1.5 m

Expected settlement: 2.6 mm (or say 3 mm) to 3.3 mm (or say 3.5 mm)
LRFD at maximum allowable eccentricity
SHALLOW FOUNDATION DESIGN USING CSM Help Surface stress 309.4 kPa
DENSE SAND
RESULTS  0.8
 0.03
 0.007
M 0.87
sat 18.8

DATA INPUT FOR FOOTING Bearing Capacity Calculations 'zo 26.3 kPa

Select Footing type Square Ip 0.218 p'o 35.0 kPa

B = Width 1.66 m Iq 0.388 qo -13.1 kPa
m D p 67.4 kPa p'k 157.6 kPa

Depth of embedment 1 m q 120.0 kPa qk 118.2 kPa

Footing Dead Load 200 kN qyH 107.1 kPa p'c 275.8 kPa
Footing Live Load 300 kN Iz 0.4 Ro 7.9
Eccentricity 0.027666667 FS 1.00 OK 'zc 236.4 kPa
LRFD 775 kN Ductility 0.8494 'xo 39.4 kPa

DATA INPUT FOR LAB TEST SETTLEMENT 'yo 39.4 kPa

Critical state friction angle 30 degrees f 'cs 0.52 radian

Cc 0.08 Long term 3.5 f 'cs 30.00 degrees
Cr 0.016 Total 3.5 mm total Ko nc 0.50
OCR 9 1-D 4.5 mm max Ko oc 1.50
Unit weight 18.8 KN/m3 eo 0.851111
DATA INPUT FOR SAMPLE ec 0.837
Sample depth 1.83 m ek 0.836
Depth of groundwater 1m tc 0.20
Poisson's ratio 0.35 m 0.29
LOADING CONDITION Rt 5.00
Select plane strain nt 1.73205081
no 1.8
mu 0.35
E 65546.7196 kPa
G 24276.5628 kPa

For LRFD the minimum footing size to satisfy the requirements is 1.66 m x 1.66 m

Conventional method

N  0.1054 exp (9.6' cs )  16.06; N  18.4; N  1  17.4

B
s  1  0.4  0.6 , dq = 1.2, all other geometric factors are equal to 1
L

B B B B 2e = 0.8B = 1.2 m

1
q u  Df ( Nq  1 )sq d q  BN  s   18.8 117.4 1.58 12  0.5  ( 18.8  9.8 ) 1.2 16.06  0.6  672kPa
2

FS = 667/(244.4 18.8) = 3
12.13 A circular foundation of diameter 8 m supports a tank. The base of the foundation is at 1 m from the
ground surface. The vertical load is 20 MN. The tank foundation was designed for short-term loading
conditions (su = 80 kPa and sat = 19 kN/m3). The groundwater level when the tank was initially designed
was at 4 m below the ground surface. It was assumed that the groundwater level was stable. Fourteen
months after the tank was constructed and during a week of intense rainfall, the tank foundation failed. It
was speculated that failure occurred by bearing capacity failure. Establish whether this is so or not. The
 p'  25
friction angle is from simple shear tests

Solution 12.13
20 103
Applied vertical stress =  398kPa
 2
8
4

Short term

sc  1.2,dc  1

qu  5.14  80  1.2  1  493 kPa  398 kPa (no failure)

Long Term   25

sq  1.47 ,s   0.6, d q  1.04,d   1.0

N q  10.7 , N q  1  9.7 , N   6.95
  19  9.8  9.2kN m3

qu   9.2  1  9.7  1.47  1.04    0.5  9.2  8  6.95  0.6  1  289 kPa  398 kPa

 Failure occurs under effective stress condition.

Solution 12.14

M 150 B  0.6  0.6  2.1  3.3 6.6

e   0.28m;    1.1m
P 535 6 6 6
B'  6.6  2(0.28)=6.04m

  36 , Nq  37.75, Nq  1  36.75, N  43.9, sq  s  1

d   1.0

Depth of groundwater level is greater than B below base of the footing. No effects of groundwater. Neglect
depth of embedment
q u  0.5  B' N  s  d 
q u  (0.5  18  6.04  43.9 11)
 2386 kPa

535  6  0.28 
applied(max)  1  102 kPa
6.6 1  6.6 
2386
FS   23.4
102

The settlement is not expected to be uniform because the vertical stresses at the base are non-uniform.
 B
However, the eccentricity is small  e   , so any tilting of the base would be within tolerable limits.
 6
Solution 12.15
Assume a square footing of width B
Assume that the groundwater is more than B below the footing base and that B < 4 m.
From Table A.11, the estimated unit weight is 18.5 kN/m3

Therefore use the N value for the top layer 0 to 5 m. Assume B = 1 m

q ult  32N1B; N1  c n N; c n  95.8 / (18.5 1.5)   1.86  2; use 1.9
1/2

N1  1.9  28  53
q ult  32  53  B  1696 B kPa
ASD
q ult  (FS)  P / B2  1696 B
 3  700 / B2  1696 B
B  1.07 m
Use a footing of size 1.1 m x 1.1 m

LRFD:
Pu  1.25DL  1.75LL  1.25  200  1.75  500  1125kN
Pu  i (32  53  B  B2 )
Table 12.1: i  0.45 for SPT
1
 1125  3
B   1.14 m
 1696  .45 

Use a footing of size 1.2 m x 1.2 m

12.16 The column load for an office building consists of a dead load of 200 kN and a
live load of 250 kN. The soil at the site for the office building is a fairly homogeneous
clay. Soil samples at a depth of 2 m gave the following average results. Triaxial tests:
Isotropic consolidated CU tests on saturated samples, su = 36 kPa, confining stress = 100
kPa and average water content of 40%; One-dimensional consolidation tests: Cc = 0.16,
Cr = 0.04 and OCR = 9. The minimum embedment depth of the footing is 1 m.
Groundwater level is at the surface. Check the suitability of a 3.0 m square footing using
the conventional ASD method with an FS = 3. Compare the results of the conventional
method with CSM using an FS = 1.25. Assume  = 0.35.The tolerable settlement is less
than 20 mm. assume the samples represent the soil at a depth 0.5B below the bottom of
the footing.

Solution 12.16
Calculate initial values.

G e   2.7  1.08 
=  s o  w    9.8  17.8 kN / m
3

 1  eo   1  1.08 
sat

= sat   w  17.8  9.8  8 kN / m3

  su  f    su  f  M 1 3sin ' cs  1 

 '   '  =     
 po  ic   zo  ic 2 2 3  sin ' cs  2 

3sin ' cs  1 
0.75

0.25   
3  sin ' cs  2 
 ' cs  21.6o
6sin ' cs 6 sin 21.6o
Mc =   0.84
3  sin ' cs 3  sin 21.6o
The current and past consolidation stresses in the field are:
1  2 Kooc ' 1  2 1.9
Current: po' =  zo  16  25.6 kPa
3 3
a

Calculate past mean effective and deviatoric stresses.

1  2 Konc ' 1  2  0.63
Past: pk' =  zc  144  108.5 kPa
3 3

The preconsolidation mean effective stress on the ICL is

q 
2
53.32
p p
' '
 k = 108.5   145.6 kPa
0.842 108.5
c k
M 2 p'k

Calculate increase in stresses from the surface load.

Table 12.7:
Table 12.7:
Slope of TSP is [This is a not equal to 3 as in the standard
triaxial test because 3  0.)
=

Calculate the deviatoric stress on the HV surface.

For axisymmetric condition, which approximates the stress condition under the center of
the footing, nt = 3.
 1 1
tc    0.07
 nt  1  9 
2

1  2   0.842 
 M   
Rt =1/0.07 = 14.3 > 5.7; failure would not occur from tension

Determine the factor of safety.

; Therefore, acceptable.
Check if the imposed state is within the ductile region.

Therefore, the imposed stress state in the soil will be in ductile region. The footing size
for bearing capacity requirement can be reduced. However, we need to check that
serviceability is satisfactory.

Calculate the settlement.

 = 0.35.
ec  eo  ln R= 1.08 -0.017 ln (5.7) =1.05
qs B  10 
z   Iq  I p 
pc 1  ec   3 
50  0.017  3 103  10 
 0.55  3  0.33  14 mm
145.6 1  1.05 

Conservative settlement
qs Cr BIz 50  0.04  3000  0.7
z  1.88  1.88  26.7mm
zc 1  ec  144 1  1.05
Note: Iz is found from Chapter 7.
Determine if the footing designed according to CSM is satisfactory.
Settlement range = 14 mm to 26.7 mm; FS > 1.25. The footing satisfies both
serviceability and ultimate limit state requirements.
Conventional method
The conventional method required the peak undrained shear strength. We need to make
an estimate this. However, we have to use CSM to do so.
Calculate (su)f for OCR = 9 (Ro* = 5.7)
  su  f    su  f 
 '    '   R o   0.25   5.5   0.92
* 0.75

 po   po  ic
 su  f  0.92  25.6  23.6kPa

Calculate the initial yield value to check whether the intact soil would show a peak shear strength
response

Use  su  f  23.6kPa in the conventional bearing capacity method

sc = 1.2
qu = 5.14 x 23.6 x 1.2 = 146 kPa
FS = 146/(50 – 1 x 17.8) = 4.5
We do not have enough information to calculate settlement unless we use CSM to estimate E.
12.17 The results of a representative field vane shear test at a site are shown in
Fig.12.22a. Previous studies reveal that  = 0.8 and  = 0.12 for the gray clay. A
building with different column loads is to be erected on the site. Estimate the
maximum centric load that a 2 m square footing can support using CSM. The
minimum factor of safety is 1.25 and the settlement should not exceed 25 mm.
Assume  = 0.35.

Solution 12.17
Step 1: Inspect and interpret vane shear test data.
Inspection of the vane shear test data shows that the soil is overconsolidated
above 7 m and normally consolidated below 7 m. Recall that normally consolidated soils
tend to show linear increase of shear strength with depth. In other words, the normalized
shear strength is constant with depth.
Step 2: Calculate the critical state friction angle.
(su)f at 7 m = 14 kPa
Vertical effective stress at 7 m is

From Eq. (11.74), the normalized undrained shear strength for

normally consolidated fine-grained soils is
  su  f 
 '   0.5sincs
'

  zo  DSS
14
  0.5 sin ' cs
56.8
sin ' cs  0.493
 ' cs  29.5o

Mc = 3 sin' cs  3  0.493 = 0.85

Step 3: Calculate the initial stresses, overconsolidation ratio and
preconsolidation stress at B/2 below the footing.
The calculations will be done for 3 m x 3 m. A spreadsheet will be used for
other footing sizes.
The depth from the surface at B/2 below the maximum size footing is 2 +
(3/2) = 3.5 m
Vertical effective stress at 3.5 m is
(su)f at 3.5 m = 28 kPa
From Eq. (11.73)
  su  f  3 sinc' s  OCR 
0.8

 '    
  zo  DSS 2  2 
0.8
 28  0.85  OCR 
 32.3   2  2 
DSS

 OCR = 4.9

From Fig. 11.29, Ro = 4.2

The current and past consolidation stresses in the field are:

1  2 Kooc ' 1  2 1.13
Current: p = '
o  zo   32.3  35 kPa
3 3
a
In Fig.12.19, point O represents ( po' , qo).

G e 
=  s o  w
 1  eo 
sat

 2.7  eo 
16.8    9.8; eo  1.38
 1  eo 

Step 4: Check if the soil element will fail in tension.

 1 1
tc    0.194
 nt  
2
32 
1  2  1  
 M   0.852 
1 1
Rt    5.2  4.2
tc 0.194
Soil will not fail by tension.
Step 5: Calculate the deviatoric stress on the HV surface.

Step 6: Estimate the load to width ratio to satisfy ultimate limit

state.
Since the eccentricity is 10% of the width then
P  6e  P  6  0.1B  1.6P
qs  1    2 1  
B2  B B  B  B2
At the edge of the footing, A (Fig. E12.22a), Ip =

Step 7: Estimate the load-width ratio to satisfy settlement.

ec = eo  ln Ro  1.38  0.024 ln(4.2)  1.35
Since  = 0.35, then
qs B 3
z Iq 1.54Ip
pc 1 ec 2
 1.6P
q s B   B  
3 B 2 3
z   Iq  1.54I p    Iq  1.54I p 
pc 1  ec o   2  pc 1  ec   2 
1.6P 1.6P
    0.024  
B 3 B 3
  Iq  1.54I p     0.49  1.54  0.15 Note:
pc 1  ec   2  147.2 1  1.35   2 
P
 7.27 105 m
B
The settlement from the above equation is dependent only on P/B ratio
because all the other parameters are constant. The maximum allowable
settlement is 25 mm. Therefore
P
0.025  7.27 105
B
P
 343; P  343  2  686 kN
B
Since the load for bearing capacity consideration is lower than for settlement,
bearing capacity governs the design. The allowable load is 230.8 kN ( say 231
kN)
12.18 Fig. P12.18 shows a proposed canal near a 5 story apartment building 30 m wide x
50 m long. The building is founded on a mat foundation. Describe and justify some of the
concerns you may have regarding the stability of the mat foundation with constructing
such a canal. If the owner insists on constructing the canal, research methods that you
would consider so that the canal can be designed and constructed safely.

Solution 12.18

Concerns:

1. The top layer (sand mixed with silt and clay) can slide along the silt layer leading to instability.
2. Sliding is also possible at the interface of the fine sand and the silty clay.
3. General slope stability failure.
4. Seepage of water into the canal can lower the groundwater leading to additional settlement.
The groundwater level is unlikely to be lowered uniformly so additional differential settlement
could occur. Even for uniform decreases in groundwater level, the settlement would be non-
uniform.
5. The additional differential settlement will cause addition bending moment and rotation of the
mat.

A possible alternative design method is to use a retaining wall rather that cutting a slope.
 Proposed retaining wall

3m
Center line
GWL

Canal

Bedrock