Scribd
Upload
119 views11 pages

Shallow Foundation Bearing Capacity Guide

The document discusses the bearing capacity of shallow foundations. It defines three principles for satisfactory foundation design: avoiding shear failure of the soil, excessive displacements, and excessive differential settlements. It then describes Terzaghi's bearing capacity theory, which provides equations for general and local shear failure involving bearing capacity factors. It notes that a global factor of safety is used to ensure displacements are avoided, though independent settlement calculations should also be done. Finally, it addresses how the water table affects bearing capacity calculations.

Uploaded by

Snow Yoshima
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
119 views11 pages

Shallow Foundation Bearing Capacity Guide

The document discusses the bearing capacity of shallow foundations. It defines three principles for satisfactory foundation design: avoiding shear failure of the soil, excessive displacements, and excessive differential settlements. It then describes Terzaghi's bearing capacity theory, which provides equations for general and local shear failure involving bearing capacity factors. It notes that a global factor of safety is used to ensure displacements are avoided, though independent settlement calculations should also be done. Finally, it addresses how the water table affects bearing capacity calculations.

Uploaded by

Snow Yoshima
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Bearing Capacity of Shallow

Foundations
CIVL 451 – Foundation Engineering –
Classroom Notes
Definitions
• For foundation design to be satisfactory three main principles
must be satisfied;

– Shear failure of the soil carrying the foundation should be


avoided,

– Excessive displacements should be avoided,

– Excessive differential settlements between individual


foundations should be avoided.
Shear Failure Mechanisms
Terzaghi’s Bearing Capacity Theory
Terzaghi’s Bearing Capacity Theory

For GENERAL SHEAR


FAILURE.
Terzaghi’s Bearing Capacity Theory
• Bearing capacity factors for General Shear Failure equations;
Terzaghi’s Bearing Capacity Theory
• For Local Shear Failure;
Global Factor of Safety
• In order to ensure that excessive displacements are avoided, a
factor of safety (FS) can be applied on the estimated ultimate
bearing capacity such that;

• However, this is a lump sum factor and it does not necessarily


guarantee that the allowable settlement criteria will be
satisfied. Independent settlement calculations should be
carried out to provide an explicit check on the predicted
settlement.
• Traditionally, FS is used as 3 for shallow foundations. Eurocode
7 advise factoring parameters used in the calculations as well
as the applied loads.
Terzaghi’s Bearing Capacity Theory
Effect of Water Table
• The effect of water table on the bearing capacity can be
considered as;
Exercises

Reference: B.M. Das, Principles of Foundation Engineering, Thomson –


Brooks/Cole.

You might also like