Objective of the chapter

x
When you complete this chapter you should be
able to:

Calculate the bearing capacity of soils.

Differentiate the different methods of bearing capacity

equation.

Determine the bearing capacity for eccentrically

loaded footings.
1.1 INTRODUCTION
x
A foundation, is a structure designed to transfer loads
from a superstructure to the soil underneath the
superstructure.
x
In general, foundations are categorized into two groups,
namely,
1. Shallow foundations and
2. Deep foundations.
1.2 Some Basic Definition
1) Ultimate Bearing Capacity (q
u
) :
The ultimate bearing capacity is the gross pressure at
the base of the foundation at which soil fails in shear.
2) Net ultimate Bearing Capacity (q
nu
) :
It is the net increase in pressure at the base of
foundation that cause shear failure of the soil.
Thus, q
nu
= q
u
D
f
(overburden pressure)
3) Net Safe Bearing Capacity (q
ns
) :
It is the net soil pressure which can be safely applied to
the soil considering only shear failure.
Thus, q
ns
= q
nu
/ [FS]
Contd
4) Gross Safe Bearing Capacity (q
s
) :
It is the maximum pressure which the soil can carry
safely without shear failure. q
s
= q
nu
/ FS + D
f

5) Net Safe Settlement Pressure (q
np
) :
It is the net pressure which the soil can carry without
exceeding allowable settlement.
6)NetAllowableBearingPressure(q
na
):
It is the net bearing pressure which can be used for design
of foundation.
Thus,
q
na
=q
ns
;ifq
np
>q
ns
q
na
=q
np
;ifq
ns
>q
np

1.3 Modes of shear Failure

Vesic (1973) classified shear failure of soil under a

foundation base into three categories depending on
the type of soil & location of foundation.
a) General Shear Failure
Most common type of shear failure; occurs in dens sand and
stiff clay soil under strip footing.
b) Local Shear Failure Intermediate b/n general and punching
shear failure. This is common in sand and clays of medium
compaction. failure surface will gradually extend
outward from the foundation but will not reach the
ground surface as shown by the solid segment
c) Punching Shear Failure Occurs in very loose sands weak
clays.
Contd

Bulge/heave
GENERAL
LOCAL
PUNCHING
Bearing capacity failure
2.1 Ultimate Bearing Capacity Equations
1. Prandtl (1920) developed the equation by assuming

The footing as frictionless

Ignoring the weight of the soil at the failure zone

For pure cohesive soil ( = 0)

For the footing at the surface
For the footing at a certain depth from the ground
surface
His assumptions are not true in practice and therefore the
equation is never used in practical design, but it was a
beginning.


u u
c q 14 . 5
f u u
D c q + 14 . 5
2.1.1 Terzaghi bearing capacity equation
x
Terzhagi (1943) improved the Prandtl equation to include
the roughness of the footing and the weight of the failure
zone.
x
The failure mechanism in a c, soil is given in fig. below

Terzaghis Bearing Capacity equation is applicable for

general shear failure


Terzhagis ultimate bearing capacity equations
x
Strip (or long) footing
x
Square footing:
x
Circular footing:
Where

N
c
, N
q
and N

are called the bearing capacity factors and

are obtained as follows

In the undrained conditions (c

u
and
u
= 0):

N B DN N c q
q c u
5 . 0 ' + +

N B DN N c q
q c u
4 . 0 ' 3 . 1 + +

N B DN N c q
q c u
3 . 0 ' 3 . 1 + +
) 2 / ' 45 ( cos 2
2
' tan ) ' 2 / 3 (

e
N
q
) 1 ( ' cot
q c
N N

,
_

1
' cos
' tan
2
2
1

p
K
N
) 2 / ' 60 ( tan ) 8 . 3 ' 4 ' 8 (
0 2 2

+ +
p
K
1
q
N 71 . 5
c
N 0

N
Terzaghi Bearing capacity coefficients


2.1.2 Meyerhofs Bearing Capacity equation

Meyerhof (1951) developed a bearing capacity equation by

extending Terzhagis failure mechanism and taking into
account the effects of footing shape, load inclination and
footing depth by adding the corresponding factors of s, d, & i.

For a rectangular footing of L by B (L> B) and inclined

load:

For vertical load, i

c
= i
q
= i

= 1.

The bearing capacity factors:

In the undrained conditions (c

u
and
u
= 0):


d i s N B d i s DN d i s N c q
q q q q c c c c u
5 . 0 ' + +
) 2 / ' 45 ( tan ) ' tan exp(
2
+
q
N ) 1 ( ' cot
q c
N N
) ' 4 . 1 tan( ) 1 (

q
N N
1
q
N 71 . 5
c
N 0

N
Meyerhofs bearing capacity coefficients

The shape, inclination and depth factors
2.1.3 Hansens Bearing Capacity Equation

Hansen (1961) extended Meyerhofs solutions by

considering the effects of sloping ground surface and tilted
base as well as modification of N

and other factors.

For a rectangular footing of L by B (L > B) and inclined

ground surface, base and load:

g b i d s N B g b i d s DN g b i d s N c q
q q q q q q c c c c c c u
5 . 0 ' + +
In the special case of a horizontal ground surface,
x
The bearing capacity factorsN
c
and N
q
are identical with
Meyerhofs factors. But N

:-
x
Failure can take place either along the long side or along
the short side of the footing so that Hansen proposed that
1. Shape factors is given as

For c
u
,
u
=0 soil

b i d s N B b i d s DN b i d s N c q
q q q q q c c c c c u
5 . 0 ' + +

tan ) 1 ( 5 . 1
q
N N
B c
c
q
B c
i
L
B
N
N
s
, ,
1 +
' sin 1
, ,
+
B q B q
i
L
B
s 6 . 0 4 . 0 1
, ,

B B
i
L
B
s

L c
c
q
L c
i
B
L
N
N
s
, ,
1 +
' sin 1
, ,
+
L q L q
i
B
L
s 6 . 0 4 . 0 1
, ,

L L
i
B
L
s

B c B c
i
L
B
s
, ,
2 . 0
L c L c
i
B
L
s
, ,
2 . 0
x
The inclination factors are:

For the Tilted base:-

x
Where

A=istheareaofthefootingbase

0
=angleofinclinationofthebaseofthefooting.

1
and
2
areintherangeof
1
1
,
, ,

q
i q
i q i c
N
i
i i
1
' cot
5 . 0
1
,

,
_

+

b
i
i q
Ac V
H
i
2
' cot
7 . 0
1
,

,
_

+

b
i
i
Ac V
H
i
5 2
1
5 2
2

2
' cot
) 450 7 . 0 (
1
0 0
,

1
]
1

b
i
i
Ac V
H
i
Cont

HandVarehorizontalandverticalcomponentofthe
totalload.

b
=istheangleoffrictionbetweenthebaseoffooting
andsoil.

c
a
=istheadhesionbetweenfootingandsoil.
For c
u
,
u
=0 soil:
In the above equations, B and Lmay be replaced by their
effective values (B and L) expressed as :
L = L 2e
L
and B = B 2e
B

Where e
L
and e
B
represent the eccentricity along L and B
directions
b i i c
Ac H i 1 5 . 0 5 . 0
,
Cont
The depth factors are expressed in two sets

For D/B 1 & D/L 1:

For D/B > 1 & D/L > 1:

For both sets:

B
D
d
B c
+ 4 . 0 1
,
B
D
d
B q
+
2
,
) ' sin 1 ( ' tan 2 1
L
D
d
L c
+ 4 . 0 1
,
L
D
d
L q
+
2
,
) ' sin 1 ( ' tan 2 1
( )
B
D
d
B c
1
,
tan 4 . 0 1

+
( )
L
D
d
L c
1
,
tan 4 . 0 1

+
) ( tan ) ' sin 1 ( ' tan 2 1
1 2
,
B
D
d
B q

+
) ( tan ) ' sin 1 ( ' tan 2 1
1 2
,
L
D
d
L q

+
1

d
For c
u
,
u
=0 soil:
1. For the sloping ground and tilted base:-
The ground factors g
i

The base factors b

i

For c
u
,
u
soil
B
D
d
B c
4 . 0
,
L
D
d
L c
4 . 0
,
0
0
147
1


c
g
( )
5
tan 5 . 0 1

g g
q
0
0
147
1


c
b
' tan 2
e b
q
' tan 7 . 2

e b
0
0
147

c
g
0
0
147

c
b
2.2 A comparative summary of the three bearing
capacity equations
1. Terzaghis equation is widely used, because it is some
what simpler than Meyerhofs and Hansens.
2. Practitioners use Terzaghis equations for a very
cohesive soil and D/B < 1.

However, Terzaghis equations have the following major

drawbacks:

Shape, depth and inclination factors are not considered.

Terzaghis equations are suitable for a concentrically

loaded horizontal footing but are not suitable for
eccentrically loaded footings that are very common in
practice.
Cont

The equations are generally conservative than

Meyerhofs and Hansens.

That is why Currently, Meyerhofs and Hansens

equations are more widely used than Terzaghis. Both
are applicable to more general conditions.

Hansens is, however, used when the base is tilted or

when the footing is on a slope and for D/B > 1.

2.3 Effects of Groundwater Table on Bearing Capacity

F
or all the bearing capacity equations, you will have to make

Some adjustments for the groundwater condition.

T
he term D refers to the vertical stress of the soil above
the base of the footing.

T
he term B refers to the vertical stress of a soil mass of
thickness B, below the base of the footing. Here we have
three condition for ground water effect ,so check which one
of the three groundwater situations is applicable to your
project.
S
ituation 1:

Groundwater level at a depth B below the base of the
footing. In this case no modification of the bearing capacity
equations is required.
Cont
Situation 2:
Groundwater level within a depth B below the base of the
footing.
If the groundwater level is at a depth z below the base,
such that z < B.Then
The term or
The term remains unchanged.
Situation 3:
Groundwater level within the embedment depth. If the
groundwater is at a depth z within the embedment such
that z< D
) ( ' z B z B + ) ( ' z B z
sat
+
D
Soilissaturatedabove
groundwaterlevel
Cont
Then the term or
The term is changed in to .
) ( ' z B z B +
) ( ' z B z
sat
+
B B '
Situation 2
Situation 3
2.4 Allowable bearing capacity and factor of safety
The allowable bearing capacity q
a
is calculated by
dividing the ultimate bearing capacity by a factor.
The FS is intended to compensate for
1) Assumptions made in developing the bearing capacity
equations.
2) Soil variability.
3) Inaccurate soil data, and
4) Uncertainties of loads.

The magnitude of FS applied to the ultimate bearing

capacity may be between 2 and 3.

The allowable bearing capacity is

FS
q
q
u
a

Cont
If the maximum applied foundation stress is known and
the dimension of the footing is also known. By replacing
q
a
with ()
max
then FS is given by:-

Meyerhof (1963) proposed an approximate method for

loads that are located off-centered (or eccentric loads).

He modified base area or dimensions of the footing pad, as

B = B 2e
B
and L =L - 2e
L

Where e
B
and e
L
are eccentricity along B and L.
if the maximum applied foundation stress if the maximum applied foundation stress if the maximum applied foundation stress
max
) (
a
u
q
FS

Contd..
Cont
Where and M
x
= moment in X-direction.
M
y
= moment in Y-direction.
p = vertical load.
The maximum and minimum vertical stresses
Along the x axis are:
Along the y axis are:
Since the tensile strength of soils = 0, it should always be > 0.
Therefore, e
B
< B/6 & e
L
< L/6.

The bearing capacity equations are modified for eccentric

loads by replacing B with B.
if the maximum applied foundation stress if the maximum applied foundation stress if the maximum applied foundation stress
P
M
e
y
B

P
M
e
x
L

,
_

+
B
e
BL
P
B
6
1
max

,
_

B
e
BL
P
B
6
1
min

,
_

+
B
e
BL
P
L
6
1
max

,
_

B
e
BL
P
L
6
1
min

Contd..
Cont
x
The ultimate bearing capacity for footings with eccentricity,
using either the Meyerhof or Hansen equations, is found in
eitheroftwoways:
Method 1. Use either the Hansen bearing-capacity equation
with the following adjustments:
a.UseB'intheBN

term.
b.UseB'andL'incomputingtheshapefactors.
c.UseactualBandLforalldepthfactors.
x
The computed ultimate bearing capacity [q
ult
] isthen
reducedtoanallowablevalueq
a
withan appropriate
safety factor SF as
q
a
=q
ult
/SFandP
a
=q
a
B'L'
if the maximum applied foundation stress if the maximum applied foundation stress if the maximum applied foundation stress
Cont
Method 2. Use the Meyerhof general bearing-capacity
equation and a reduction factor Reusedas:-
Wherereductionfactor:-

For cohesive soil:-

For cohesion less soil and for 0 < e/B<0.3.

In practice the e/Bratioisseldomgreaterthan0.2.ifitisequal

to0.5thefoundationwillbeunstableorArea(A)isatcorner.
x
Alternatively, use the Meyerhof equation with B' and L
for shape and depth factors & B in the 0.5 B'N

term.
if the maximum applied foundation stress if the maximum applied foundation stress if the maximum applied foundation stress
e computed ult design ult
R q q *
) ( ) (

B
e
R
e
2
1
B
e
R
e
1
2.6 Field Tests

It is difficult to obtain undisturbed coarse-grained samples

for laboratory testing and one has to use results from field
tests to determine the bearing capacity of shallow
foundations. Some field tests are
1. Plate Loading Test
The plate loading test is carried out to estimate the bearing
capacity of single footings.
The plates (made of steel) dimensions are
25 mm thick and 150 mm to 762 mm in diameter.
In practice a circular plate of 300 mm is commonly used.
square plates that are 300 mm300 mm are also used.
if the maximum applied foundation stress if the maximum applied foundation stress if the maximum applied foundation stress
Procedure
Step 1
Excavate bore hole with a minimum diameter 4B
P

[Bp = plate diameter] to a depth of D (D = depth of the
proposed foundation).
Step 2
Then place the plate at the center of the hole.
Step 3
Apply initial setting load to make the proper contact of the
plate with the ground.
Step 4
set the dial gages reading as the initial readings
if the maximum applied foundation stress if the maximum applied foundation stress if the maximum applied foundation stress
Step 5

Apply the first load approximately equal to

1/5
th
of the anticipated ultimate load
Step 6

Keep this load constant till the settlement

of the plate under this load ceases(where
the settlement is about 0.3mm/hr, it is
supposed that the settlement is almost
stopped.)

If this situation is achieved before 1hr, the

load has to kept applied for an hr. If this
situation is achieved after 2hrs,then the
load has to kept constantly applied for
2hrs
Step 7
Record the settlement dial gage
readings.

difference of initial & final reading

gives settlement of the plate
Step 8
change the next load=2*1/5*ultimate
load
repeat as the pervious steps
if the maximum applied foundation stress if the maximum applied foundation stress if the maximum applied foundation stress
Procedure
plot a graph load with the corresponding settlement.
For tests in clay,
For tests in sandy soil,
Where
q
u(F)
& q
u(P)
are ultimate bearing capacity of foundation and
plate, and B
F
and B
P
stand for width of foundation and plate

if the maximum applied foundation stress if the maximum applied foundation stress if the maximum applied foundation stress
) ( ) ( P u F u
q q
p
F
P u F u
B
B
q q
) ( ) (

Under the same intensity of loading on plate & the
actual foundation, the following r/ship used:-
For cohesion less soil

For cohesive soil
Draw back
x
In case of non- homogeneous or stratified soil,
which affect the foundation but not the plate, the
result of plate load test may be misleading
x
It has elaborate arrangement and take sufficient
time for erecting & dismantling.
x
A plate load test is not recommended in soils which
are not homogeneous at least to a depth equal to
1.5 to 2 times the width of the prototype foundation.
x
plate load test should not be relied on to determine
the ultimate bearing capacity of sandy soil as the
scale effects give very misleading result. However,
when the test are carried on clay soils, the ultimate
bearing capacity as determined by the test may be
taken as equal to that of the foundation since the
bearing capacity of clay is essentially independent of
the footing size.
Example:-
The result of the two plate load tests on dense
sand at a depth of 1.5m where:-

Test 1:-settlement 7mm

Test 2:-settlement 9mm

The plate were 0.3m square and the applied load
was 20KN. Determine the size of the squre
foundation and load it would carry at the same
depth, if the limit of settlement is 25mm.
Solution:-
The soil is dense sand(i.e cohesion less soil)
From the given data average settlement under plate is
8mm and Sf=25mm
25=8((B(0.3+0.3))/(0.3(B+0.3)))2
Solve the above relation we get;
B=2.2836m
B=2.3m
pressure under plate load=20/(0.3*0.3)=222KN/m2
Since its dense sand assume that
2. Standard Penetration Test (SPT)

It is used to determine the allowable bearing capacity of

cohesion less coarse-grained soils [sands].
Step 1 Driven a standard split spoon sampler into the ground
by dropping a hammer of mass 64 kg from 760 mm high.

The sampler is driven 150 mm into the soil at the bottom

of a borehole.
Step 2 Then count the number of blows (N) required to drive
it an additional 300 mm.
Step 3 Correct N values obtained from SPT for various
effects such as overburden pressure and energy transfer.

if the maximum applied foundation stress if the maximum applied foundation stress if the maximum applied foundation stress
Standard Penetration Test (SPT)
Commonly methods used in practice for correcting the N
values.
Where [
z0
is the effective overburden pressure (kPa).
CN=Correction factor for overburden pressure
The groundwater correction factor is:
Where [z is the depth to the groundwater table, and
D &B are the footing depth and width.

if the maximum applied foundation stress if the maximum applied foundation stress if the maximum applied foundation stress
2 ;
8 . 95
'
0

,
_

N
z
N
c c

kPa 24 , 2 ;
1916
log 77 . 0
'
0
'
0
10
>

,
_

z N
z
N
c c

) ( 2 2
1
B D
z
c
W
+
+
N
c
Standard Penetration Test (SPT)
The corrected standard penetration number will be
Meyerhof (1956, 1974) proposed allowable bearing capacity
q
a
equation as follows.
Where
S
e
is the elastic settlement of the layer in mm and
k
d
= 1 + 0.33D/B 1.33.
if the maximum applied foundation stress if the maximum applied foundation stress if the maximum applied foundation stress
N c c N
W N

cor
m B k N S q
d e a
22 . 1
25
12
cor

m B k
B
B
N S q
d e a
22 . 1
305 . 0
25
8
2
cor
>

,
_

S
e
is the elastic settlement of the layer in mm and k
d
= 1 + 0.33D/B

1.33.
Standard Penetration Test (SPT)
Bowles (1996) modified Meyerhofs equations by 50%
increase in the allowable bearing capacity.
Bowless equations are:
if the maximum applied foundation stress if the maximum applied foundation stress if the maximum applied foundation stress
S
e
is the elastic settlement of the layer in mm and k
d
= 1 + 0.33D/B

1.33.
m B k
B
B
N S q
d e a
22 . 1
305 . 0
25
5 . 12
2
cor
>

,
_

m B k N S q
d e a
22 . 1
25
20
cor

The observed value is affected by
the following factor

Hammer efficiency

bore hole diameter

Sampler

Length of the rod used

Example:-
A 4m square foundation is to be constructed at a depth of
2m below ground level in a medium dense sand of unit
weight 19KN/m3. the water table is located 4m below
the ground level. The values obtained from a SPT were
as follows
Making any appropriate corrections to allow for the
effect of the overburden & the GWT, estimate the
allowable load on the foundation if the immediate
settlement is limited to 25mm.
Depth,Z (m) 2 2.8 3.6 4.4 5.2 6.0 6.8
N values 12 13 15 15 18 21 25
Solution:-

Depth,m N value U(KN/M2) CN N*CN
2 12 38 0 38 1.31 15.72
2.8 13 53.2 0 53.2 1.2 15.6
3.6 15 68.4 0 68.4 1.11 16.65
4.4 15 83.6 4 79.6 1.0715 16.07
5.2 18 98.8 12 86.8 1.034 18.612
6.0 21 114.0 20 94.0 1.008 21.168
6.8 25 129.2 28 101.2 0.98 24.5
=16.04
0 z

'
0 z

kPa 24 , 2 ;
1916
log 77 . 0
'
0
'
0
10
>

,
_

z N
z
N
c c

Yw hp U
and
U h Y
z z z
*
, *
0
'
0 0

Cw=1/2 + 4/(2(2+4))=0.833 and
N
cor
=16.04*0.833=13.3667
Finally; 4m>1.22m
K
d
=1+0.33*2/4=1.165<=1.33, K
d
=1.165
q
a
= 8/25(25*13.3667*((4+0.305)/4)2*1.165
=144.3KN/m2
) ( 2 2
1
B D
z
c
W
+
+
N c c N
W N

cor
m B k
B
B
N S q
d e a
22 . 1
305 . 0
25
8
2
cor
>

,
_

Using Bowels equation we get

q
a
= 225.4688KN/m2

m B k
B
B
N S q
d e a
22 . 1
305 . 0
25
5 . 12
2
cor
>

,
_

Summary of chapter two

Define ultimate bearing capacity

of soils under foundation
structure.

What is factor of safety regarding

bearing capacity of the soils?

Define and sketch failure modes

of bearing capacity of soils.

Discuss the reason of failure in

bearing capacity of foundations.

What are the factors affects

ultimate bearing capacity?
Contd

List ultimate bearing capacity

equations and discuss their drawn
backs, and comparisons among
them.

Make modification for groundwater

conditions on bearing capacity.

What is the advantage of field test

method of determination of bearing
capacity and list the methods used
for bearing capacity determination
with some sketch and procedure.
chapter -3
Lateral Earth pressure