SHALLOW FOUNDATION

INTRODUCTION
Foundation is that part of structure which serves exclusively to transmit loads
from superstructure on to the sub-soil

Foundations are mainly grouped into two categories:

1. Shallow foundation (According to BNBC 2015 draft, Depth < 2*
Width of Foundation)
2. Deep foundation

Foundation
Lower part of structure which is in direct contact with soil and transmit loads to
the ground

Footing
A foundation constructed of masonry, concrete or other material under the base
of a wall or one or more columns for the purpose of spreading the load over a
larger area at shallower depth of ground surface
 BASIC DEFINITIONS (BNBC-2015 draft)
Bearing capacity
The general term used to describe the load carrying capacity of foundation soil or rock
in terms of average pressure that enables it to bear and transmit loads from a
structure

Allowable bearing capacity exam

The maximum net average pressure of loading that the soil will safely carry with a
factor of safety considering risk of shear failure and settlement of foundation. This is
the minimum of safe bearing capacity and safe bearing pressure.

Bearing surface
The contact surface between a foundation unit and the soil or rock upon which the
foundation rests

Safe bearing capacity exam

The maximum average pressure of loading that the soil will safely carry without the
risk of shear failure. This may be calculated by dividing net ultimate bearing capacity
with a factor of safety
 BASIC DEFINITIONS (BNBC-2015 draft)
Design bearing capacity
The maximum net average pressure applied to a soil or rock by a foundation unit
that the foundation soil or rock will safely carry without the risk of both shear
failure and permissible settlement. It is equal to the least of the two values of
net allowable bearing capacity and safe bearing pressure. The may also be
called allowable bearing pressure

Presumptive bearing capacity

The net approximate pressure prescribed as appropriate for the particular type
of ground to be used in preliminary designs of foundations

Design load
The expected un-factored load to a foundation unit

Allowable load
The maximum load that may be safely applied to a foundation unit, considering
both the strength and settlement of the soil, under expected loading and soil
conditions
 BASIC DEFINITIONS (BNBC-2015 draft)
Foundation engineer
A graduate engineer with at least five years of experience in civil engineering
particularly in foundation design or construction

Geotechnical engineer
Engineer with Master’s degree in geotechnical engineering having at least
two years of experience in geotechnical design/construction or graduate in
civil engineering/engineering geology having ten years of experience in
geotechnical design/construction
SHALLOW FOUNDATION

[Link]
 REQUIRMENTS OF A STABLE FOUNDATION

• The foundation structure must be properly located with respect to any

future influence which could adversely affect its performance

• The foundation must be stable or safe from failure

• The foundation must not settle or deflect sufficiently to damage the

structure
 LOCATION AND DEPTH OF FOUNDATION
Location of foundation should not affect either its future expansion of its
foundation should not be affected by the construction in adjoining areas

The following factors should keep in mind during the selection of depth of
foundation
• Erosion of soil
• Underground defects such as root holes, cavities etc.
• Adjacent structures
• Ground water level
• Presence of expansive soil
 BEARING CAPACITY OF SHALLOW FOUNDATION
• The foundation must be stable against shear failure of supporting soil
• The foundation must not settle beyond a tolerable limit to avoid damage to
structures
Bearing capacity is the term used to describe the load carrying capacity of
foundation soil or rock in terms of average pressure that enables it to bear
and transmit loads from a structure

The contact surface between a foundation unit and the soil or rock upon
which the foundation rests is known as Bearing surface

The maximum net average pressure applied to a soil or rock by a foundation

unit that the foundation soil or rock will safely carry without the risk of both
shear failure and permissible settlement is known as design bearing
capacity. It is equal to the least of the two values of net allowable bearing
capacity and safe bearing pressure. This may also be called allowable
bearing pressure
 BEARING CAPACITY OF SHALLOW FOUNDATION

Bearing capacity of soils for shallow foundation is calculated using two

approaches to satisfy the safety criteria
1. Bearing capacity from shear failure theories
2. Bearing capacity considering settlement of soils
 SHEAR FAILURE THEORIES exam

General Shear Failure

Let us look at a strip footing rests on thick
sand/stiff cohesive soil shown in Fig.
Settlement will increase with increasing load
and depicted in Fig. (b). At point qu, a sudden
failure in the soil surrounding the foundation
take place and failure surface extend to the
ground (heaving is seen on the ground). This
ultimate load is called the ultimate bearing
capacity of the foundation and such failure is
defined as a general shear failure
 SHEAR FAILURE THEORIES
Local Shear Failure

Let us consider a strip footing rests on

medium dense soil and initial failure is
associated with sudden jerks at qu(1).
However, further increasing load results in
increasing settlement and failure occurs at
qu(2). The load per unit area at which
failure occurs is the ultimate bearing
capacity.
 SHEAR FAILURE THEORIES
Punching Shear Failure

Let us consider a strip footing rests on loose sand

and the load-settlement plot is shown in Fig. In
this case, the failure of soil will not extend to the
ground. Beyond the ultimate, the load-settlement
response will be steep and practically linear. This
type of failure in the soil is called the punching
shear failure.
 TERZAGHI’S BEARING CAPACITY THEORY
The methods of calculating the ultimate bearing capacity of shallow strip
foundations by plastic theory developed considerably over the years since
Terzaghi (1943) first proposed a method by taking into account the weight of
soil by the principle of superposition. Terzaghi extended the theory Prandtl
(1921). Prandtl developed an equation based on his study of the penetration of
a long hard metal punch into softer materials for computing ultimate bearing
capacity.
General Shear Failure assumed by Terzaghi
 TERZAGHI’S BEARING CAPACITY THEORY
Terzaghi developed his bearing capacity equation for strip foundations as
1
𝑞𝑢 = 𝑐𝑁𝑐 + 𝑞𝑁𝑞 + 𝛾𝐵𝑁𝛾
2
𝜙
2 3𝜋ൗ4− ൗ2 tan 𝜙
𝑒
𝑁𝑞 =
𝜙
2𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 45 +
2

𝑁𝑐 = cot 𝜙 𝑁𝑞 − 1

1 𝐾𝑝𝛾
𝑁𝛾 = 2
− 1 tan 𝜙
2 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝜙
TERZAGHI’S BEARING CAPACITY FACTORS
TERZAGHI’S BEARING CAPACITY FOR OTHER FOUNDATIONS

Square Foundation

𝑞𝑢 = 1.3𝑐𝑁𝑐 + 𝑞𝑁𝑞 + 0.4𝛾𝐵𝑁𝛾

Rectangular Foundation

𝐵 1 𝐵
𝑞𝑢 = 𝑐𝑁𝑐 1 + 0.3 + 𝑞𝑁𝑞 + 𝛾𝐵𝑁𝛾 1 − 0.2
𝐿 2 𝐿

Circular Foundation

𝑞𝑢 = 1.3𝑐𝑁𝑐 + 𝑞𝑁𝑞 + 0.3𝛾𝐵𝑁𝛾

 TERZAGHI’S THEORY FOR LOCAL SHEAR FAILURE
For local shear failure, the shear strength parameters are to be reduced as per
following equations
𝑐ҧ = 0.67𝑐

𝜙 = tan−1 0.67 tan 𝜙

 SKEMPTON’S BEARING CAPACITY
Skempton developed the following equation for strip foundation on saturated clay
soils

𝑞𝑢 = 𝑐𝑁𝑐 + 𝛾𝐷

𝐵
𝑁𝑐 𝑅 = 0.84 + 0.16 𝑁𝑐 𝑆
𝐿

For Rectangle For Square

Alternately,
If D/B < 2.50
𝐷 𝐵
𝑁𝑐 = 5.0 1 + 0.2 1 + 0.2
𝐵 𝐿
If D/B > 2.50
𝐵
𝑁𝑐 = 7.5 1 + 0.2
𝐿
 EFFECTS OF WATER TABLE exam

Preceding theories based on the assumption that water table lies at considerable
depth below the foundation level. However, effect of water table should be
considered in following case:

1 ′
𝑞𝑢 = 𝑐𝑁𝑐 + 𝑞𝑁𝑞 + 𝛾 𝐵𝑁𝛾
2
 GENERAL BEARING CAPACITY EQUATION
Meyerhof (1963) presented a general bearing capacity equation which takes into
account the shape and inclination of the load. The general form is

1
𝑞𝑢 = 𝑐𝑁𝑐 𝑠𝑐 𝑑𝑐 𝑖𝑐 + 𝛾𝐷𝑁𝑞 𝑠𝑞 𝑑𝑞 𝑖𝑞 + 𝛾𝐵𝑁𝛾 𝑠𝛾 𝑑𝛾 𝑖𝛾
2

𝑠𝑐 , 𝑠𝑞 , 𝑠𝛾 = shape factors
𝑑𝑐 , 𝑑𝑞 , 𝑑𝛾 = depth factors
𝑖𝑐 , 𝑖𝑞 , 𝑖𝛾 = inclination factors
GENERAL BEARING CAPACITY EQUATION: BEARING CAPCITY
FACTORS

2
𝜙 𝜋 tan 𝜙
𝑁𝑞 = 𝑡𝑎𝑛 45 + 𝑒
2

𝑁𝑐 = cot 𝜙 𝑁𝑞 − 1

𝑁𝛾 = 𝑁𝑞 − 1 tan(1.4𝜙) By Meyerhof

𝑁𝛾 = 1.5 𝑁𝑞 − 1 tan 𝜙 By Hansen

By Vesic
𝑁𝛾 = 2 𝑁𝑞 + 1 tan 𝜙
GENERAL BEARING CAPACITY EQUATION: BEARING CAPCITY
FACTORS
 SHAPE, DEPTH AND INCLINATION FACTORS (Meyerhof)
Shape factors Depth factors Inclination factors
𝜙 𝐷 𝑖𝑐 = 𝑖𝑞
𝑁𝜙 = 𝑡𝑎𝑛2 45 + ൗ2 𝑑𝑐 = 1 + 0.2 𝑁𝜙
𝐵 2
𝐵 𝛽0
𝑠𝑐 = 1 + 0.2 𝑁 𝐷 = 1− 0
𝐿 𝜙 90
𝑑𝑞 = 0.1 𝑁𝜙
𝐵
𝐵 2
𝑠𝑞 = 1 + 0.1 𝑁 𝑑𝛾 = 𝑑𝑞 𝛽
𝐿 𝜙 𝑖𝛾 = 1 − ′
𝜙
𝑠𝛾 = 𝑠𝑞
𝛽= inclination of the
L= Length of the foundation (L>B)
load on the
foundation with
respect to the
vertical
 SHAPE, DEPTH AND INCLINATION FACTORS (Hansen)
Shape factors Depth factors Inclination factors
If 𝐷Τ𝐵 ≤ 1.0, then
𝐵 𝑁𝑞
𝑠𝑐 = 1 +
𝐿 𝑁𝑐 𝐷
𝑑𝑐 = 1 + 0.4
𝐵
𝐵
𝑠𝑞 = 1 + tan 𝜙 ′ 𝐷
𝐿 𝑑𝑞 = 1 + 2 tan 𝜙 ′ 1 − sin 𝜙 ′ 2
𝐵
𝐵
𝑠𝛾 = 1 − 0.4 𝑑𝛾 = 1.0
𝐿
L= Length of the Other than,
foundation (L>B) 𝐷
𝑑𝑐 = 1 + 0.4 tan−1
𝐵
𝐷
𝑑𝑞 = 1 + 2 tan 𝜙 ′ 1− sin 𝜙 ′ 2 tan−1
𝐵
𝑑𝛾 = 1.0
𝐷
The factor tan−1 is in radians
𝐵
 SHAPE, DEPTH AND INCLINATION FACTORS (Vesic)
Shape factors Depth factors Inclination factors
If 𝐷Τ𝐵 ≤ 1.0, then
𝐵 𝑁𝑞
𝑠𝑐 = 1 +
𝐿 𝑁𝑐 𝐷
𝑑𝑐 = 1 + 0.4
𝐵
𝐵
𝑠𝑞 = 1 + tan 𝜙 ′ 𝐷
𝐿 𝑑𝑞 = 1 + 2 tan 𝜙 ′ 1 − sin 𝜙 ′ 2
𝐵
𝐵
𝑠𝛾 = 1 − 0.4 𝑑𝛾 = 1.0
𝐿
L= Length of the Other than,
foundation (L>B) 𝐷
𝑑𝑐 = 1 + 0.4 tan−1
𝐵
𝐷
𝑑𝑞 = 1 + 2 tan 𝜙 ′ 1− sin 𝜙 ′ 2 tan−1
𝐵
𝑑𝛾 = 1.0
𝐷
The factor tan−1 is in radians
𝐵
 EFFECT OF SOIL COMPRESSIBLITY ON BEARING CAPACITY
Terzaghi’s theory was based on the assumption that soil is incompressible. Vesic
(1973) proposed a modification by introducing compressibility factor in general
bearing capacity equation
1
𝑞𝑢 = 𝑐𝑁𝑐 𝑠𝑐 𝑑𝑐 𝐶𝑐 + 𝛾𝐷𝑁𝑞 𝑠𝑞 𝑑𝑞 𝐶𝑞 + 𝛾𝐵𝑁𝛾 𝑠𝛾 𝑑𝛾 𝐶𝛾
2
exam
To evaluate compressibility, vesic introduced a term called rigidity index. A higher
value of rigidity index (say greater than 250) indicate incompressible soil, while lower
rigidity index depict compressible soil

1 𝐵 𝜙
𝐼𝑟 𝑐𝑟 = 𝑒𝑥𝑝 3.3 − 0.45 cot 45 − ൗ2
2 𝐿
𝐺
𝐼𝑟 =
𝑐 + 𝑞ത tan 𝜙
𝐸
𝐺=
2 1+𝜇
EFFECT OF SOIL COMPRESSIBLITY ON BEARING CAPACITY
If 𝐼𝑟 ≥ 𝐼𝑟 𝑐𝑟 , soil is incompressible and corresponding factors are taken as unity

Otherwise, the following equations are used to determine the compressibility

factors
 SAFE BEARING PRESSURE
For safe foundation design, the settlement of foundation should be within
allowable limits

As foundation engineer, two types of bearing pressure needs to be

considered:
• Bearing pressure from shear failure criteria
• Bearing pressure from settlement criteria

➢ Experimental evidence indicates that for footing smaller than 1.2m,

allowable bearing pressure is the criterion for design of footings, whereas
settlement is the criterion for footings greater than 1.2m

➢ Bearing capacity of footings on clay is independent of size of footings.

Therefore, it is necessary to take both the shear failure and the settlement
criteria together to decide safe bearing pressure

➢ However, footings on stiff clay do not require settlement analysis. For soft,
compressible soil, settlement criterion is important
APPROACHES USED TO DETERMINE SAFE BEARING
PRESSURE

1. Field Plate Load Test

2. Charts
3. Empirical equations
 exam-uses of plate load test
PLATE LOAD TEST
 PLATE LOAD TEST
• Excavate a pit of size not less than 5 times the size of the plate. The bottom
of the pit should coincide with the level of the foundation
• If the water table is above the level of foundation, pump out the water
carefully and keep it at the level of the foundation
• A suitable size of plate is selected for the test. Normally, a plate of size 30cm
is used in sandy soils and a larger size in clay soils
• A seating load of about 70 gm/[Link] is first applied and released after
sometime. A higher load is next applied on the plate and settlements are
recorded by means of the dial gauges. Observations on every load increment
shall be taken until the rate of settlement is less than 0.25mm per hour. Load
increments shall be approximately one-fifth of the estimated safe bearing
capacity of the soil. The average of the settlements recorded by 2 or 3 dial
gauges shall be taken as the settlement of the plate
• The test should continue until a total settlement of 2.5cm or the settlement
at which the soil fails, whichever is earlier. After the load is released, the
elastic rebound of the soil should be recorded
PRESENTATION OF PLATE LOAD TEST
INTERPRETATION OF PERMISSIBLE SETTLEMENT OF
PROTOTYPE FOUNDATION

For sandy soil,

For clay soil,

exam- limitation of plate load test
DISCUSSION ON PLATE LOAD TEST
• Plate load test is of short duration, therefore, consolidation settlement can’t
be predicted. This test only provides immediate settlement. For sandy soil,
immediate settlement may be taken as total settlement. However, for clay
soil, immediate settlement is only a fraction of total settlement. Load test on
clay soil do not have much significance
For non-homogeneous soils, plate load test is not recommended. Because,
pressure bulb for real foundation may extend into soft layer, whereas, plate load
test is conducted on shallow stiff soil, therefore, discard the effect of weak
underlain soil layer. Normally, 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 prototype foundation
HOUSEL’S (1929) METHOD OF DETERMINING SAFE BEARING
PRESSURE
To determine the load and the size of a foundation for a permissible settlement
The method is based on the following equation
𝑸 = 𝑨𝒑 𝒎 + 𝑷𝒑 𝒏
Q= load applied on a given plate
Ap=Contact area of plate
Pp=Perimeter of plate
m= a constant corresponding to the bearing pressure
n= another constant corresponding to perimeter shear

Procedure
1. Two plate load tests are to be constructed at the foundation level of the
prototype as per procedure explained earlier
2. Draw the load-settlement curves for each of the plate load tests
3. Select the permissible settlement for the foundation
4. Determine the loads Q1 and Q2 from each of the curves for the given
permissible settlement
HOUSEL’S (1929) METHOD OF DETERMINING SAFE BEARING
PRESSURE
For plate load test-1
𝑸𝟏 = 𝑨𝒑𝟏 𝒎 + 𝑷𝒑𝟏 𝒏
For plate load test-2
𝑸𝟐 = 𝑨𝒑𝟐 𝒎 + 𝑷𝒑𝟐 𝒏

• Solving the previous two equations provide m and n values

The equation for prototype foundation may written as

𝑸𝒇 = 𝑨𝒇 𝒎 + 𝑷𝒇 𝒏
SAFE BEARING CAPACITY FROM SPT, N: COHESIONLESS SOIL
According to Teng (1969), the safe bearing capacity for 25mm settlement is
SAFE BEARING CAPACITY FROM SPT, N: COHESIONLESS SOIL
Meyerhof (1956) proposed an alternative equations which are slightly different
from that of Teng
SAFE BEARING CAPACITY FROM SPT, N: COHESIONLESS SOIL
Experimental results indicate that the equations are too conservative.
Therefore, Bowles (1996) proposes an approximate increase of 50 percent
over that of Meyerhof, which can also be applied to Teng’s equations

If the tolerable limit is other than 25mm,

 DIMENSIONS OF FOOTING
A footing shall be placed to depth so that
• Adequate bearing capacity is achieved
• In case of clayey soil, shrinkage and swelling due to seasonal weather
change is not significant
✓ Where footings are to be founded on a slope, the distance of the
slopping surface at the base level the footing measured from the center
of the footing shall not be less than twice the width of the footing
✓ When adjacent footings are to be placed at different levels, the distance
between the edges of footings shall be such as to prevent undesirable
overlapping of structures in soil and disturbance of the soil under the
higher footing due to excavation of the lower footing.
 exam
FOOTING IN FILL SOILS
Footings located in fill are subject to the same bearing capacity, settlement,
and dynamic ground stability considerations as footings in natural soil. The
behavior of both fill and underlying natural soil should be considered
 MINIMUM DEPTH OF FOOTING
• The minimum depth of foundation shall be 1.5m for exterior footing of
permanent structures in cohesive soils and 2m in cohesionless soils
• For temporary structures, the minimum depth of exterior footing shall be
400mm.
 FOUNDATION SUBJECTED TO ECENTRIC LOAD

Eccentricity is either

One way eccentricity Two way eccentricity

FOUNDATION SUBJECTED TO ECENTRIC LOAD
 FOUNDATION SUBJECTED TO ECENTRIC LOAD

When ex or ey exceed a certain limit, the previous equation gives a negative

value of q which indicates tension between soil and bottom of the
foundation. Previous equation is applicable only when the load is applied
within a limited area which is knows as the Kern so that the load may fall
within the shaded area to avoid tension