REVIEW MODULE – GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING (STRESSES IN SOIL, SOIL SETTLEMENT,

TERZHAGHI’S BEARING CAPACITY AND LATERAL EARTH PRESSURE)

STRESSES IN SOIL Modification of Bearing Capacity Equation due to the presence of

Ground Water Table:
Effective Stress, PE ▪ Case 1: Water table is located above the bottom of the foundation:
It is the stress resulting from particle-to-particle contact of soil.
𝑷𝑬 = 𝑷𝑻 − 𝑷𝑾
Pore-Water Pressure, Pw
It is the stress induced by water-pressure.
𝑷𝑾 = 𝜸𝑾 𝒉
Total Stress, PT
𝑷𝑻 = 𝑷𝑬 + 𝑷𝑾

SITUATION. A 6-m deep river has a clay layer at its bottom, with a water 𝜸 = 𝜸𝒔𝒂𝒕 − 𝜸𝒘
content of 40% and a specific gravity of 2.70. At a depth of 8 m below the
▪ Case 2: Water table is located at the bottom of the foundation:
riverbed:
1. Find the total stress.
2. Find the pore-water pressure.
3. Find the effective stress.

SITUATION. A clay layer, 8.6 meters thick, is overlain by a sand deposit,

15.2 meters thick. The saturated unit weight of the sand is 21.2 kN/m^3
when the water table is at ground surface level, while its dry unit weight
is 18.2 kN/m^3. The saturated unit weight of the clay is 18.8 kN/m^3.
When the groundwater table drops 7.6 meters, the degree of saturation 𝜸 = 𝜸𝒔𝒂𝒕 − 𝜸𝒘
of the sand above the water table decreases to 30%. At the mid-height
▪ Case 3: Water table is located so that d < B:
of the clay layer
4. Determine the effective pressure (kPa) before the water table is
lowered.
5. Determine the effective pressure (kPa) after the water table is
lowered.
6. Determine the effective pressure (kPa) when the water table is at the
clay-sand interface, with the sand remaining in a moist condition.

TERZHAGHI’S BEARING CAPCITY

Ultimate Bearing Capacity – General Shear Failure:

▪ Square Footing: 𝟏
𝑸𝒖𝒍𝒕 = 𝟏. 𝟑𝒄𝑵𝒄 + 𝒒𝑵𝒒 + 𝟎. 𝟒𝜸𝑩𝑵𝜸 𝜸= [𝜸 (𝒅) + 𝜸′ (𝑩 − 𝒅)]
𝑩 𝒅𝒓𝒚
𝜸′ = 𝜸𝒔𝒂𝒕 − 𝜸𝒘
▪ Circular Footing:
𝑸𝒖𝒍𝒕 = 𝟏. 𝟑𝒄𝑵𝒄 + 𝒒𝑵𝒒 + 𝟎. 𝟑𝜸𝑩𝑵𝜸 ▪ Case 4: Water table is located so that d > B:
▪ Strip Footing:
𝑸𝒖𝒍𝒕 = 𝒄𝑵𝒄 + 𝒒𝑵𝒒 + 𝟎. 𝟓𝜸𝑩𝑵𝜸
▪ Rectangular Footing:
𝟎. 𝟑𝑩 𝟎. 𝟐𝑩
𝑸𝒖𝒍𝒕 = [𝟏 + ] 𝒄𝑵𝒄 + 𝒒𝑵𝒒 + 𝟎. 𝟓𝜸𝑩𝑵𝜸 [𝟏 − ]
𝑳 𝑳
Ultimate Bearing Capacity – Local Shear Failure:
𝟐
𝒄′ = 𝒄
𝟑
𝟐
𝒕𝒂𝒏 Ø′ = 𝒕𝒂𝒏 Ø 𝜸 = 𝜸𝒅𝒓𝒚
𝟑
Bearing Capacity Factors (if no table or chats is given): SITUATION. A square footing has a dimension of 1.50 m has its bottom
𝑒 (1.5𝜋 −Ø) 𝑡𝑎𝑛 Ø 1.2 m below the ground surface. Determine the Ultimate Bearing
𝑁𝑞 =
Ø Capacity of the foundation if: γ = 18.11 kN/m3, c = 15.75 kPa, γSAT = 19.28
2 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 (45 + )
2 kN/m3 and the water table is: (Nc = 7.34, Nq = 1.64, Ny = 0.14)
𝑁𝑐 = (𝑁𝑞 − 1) 𝑐𝑜𝑡 Ø 7. 1.5 m below the ground surface.
8. at the bottom of the footing.
𝑁𝛾 = 1.1 (𝑁𝑞 − 1) 𝑡𝑎𝑛 (1.3 Ø)
9. 0.5 m below the ground surface.
SITUATION. A footing 1.5m square carries a total load 1500kN. The COMPRESSION INDEX, Cc (Skempton)
base of the footing is at a depth of 1.0 m below the ground surface. The For Remolded Clay: For Undisturbed Clay:
soil has a unit weight of 17 kN/m3 and cohesion of 50 kPa. The soil Cc = 0.007(LL – 7%) CC = 0.009(LL – 10%)
investigation shows that the angle of friction is 18 degrees.
(Nc = 15.12, Nq = 6.04, Ny = 2.59) SWELL INDEX, Cs
𝟏 𝟏
10. Determine the gross foundation pressure. Cs ≅ 𝑪𝒄 𝒕𝒐 𝑪𝒄
𝟓 𝟏𝟎
11. Determine the net foundation pressure.
12. Determine the factor of safety (both gross and net) SITUATION: A 7 m thick saturated clay layer is overlain by a 10 m thick
sand layer and is underlain by rock. The water table is 4 m below the
SITUATION. For a certain soil, the cohesion is 50 kPa; the unit weight is sand ground surface. The saturated unit weights of clay and sand are 21
19.2 kN/m3. Depth of footing is 4.5 m. kN/m3 and 18.50 kN/m3 respectively. The sand above the water table has
(Nc = 7.5, Nq = 1.80, Ny = 0.48) for local shear failure a unit weight of 16 kN/m3. A uniformly distributed load, ∆p = 50 kPa, is
applied at the ground surface, Assume Cs = 1/5Cc. initial void ratio =
(Nc = 9, Nq = 2.50, Ny = 1.20) for general shear failure
0.60. LL = 60%. Determine the settlement of the clay layer caused by
13. Assuming local shear failure, calculate the ultimate bearing capacity primary consolidation if:
for circular footing with diameter of 2.
16. The clay is normally consolidated.
14. Assuming local shear failure, calculate the net ultimate bearing
17. The preconsolidated pressure pc is 175 kPa.
capacity for a strip footing of width 1.25 m. 18. The overconsolidated ratio OCR is 2.5. Ans.
15. Assuming general shear failure, calculate the safe load (kN) on a
footing 6 m long and 1.25 m wide. Use factor of safety of 2.5. CONSOLIDATION SETTLEMENT UNDER A FOUNDATION
Approximate Slope Method:
COMPRESSIBILITY OF SOIL
∆𝑷𝒕 + 𝟒∆𝑷𝒎 + ∆𝑷𝒃
The increase in stress caused by foundation and other loads compresses ∆𝑷 =
𝟔
a soil layer. This compression is caused by:
where: ∆Pt = increase in pressure at the top of the layer
1. Compaction ∆Pm = increase in pressure at the middle of the layer
It is the instantaneous process of reducing the volume voids due to ∆Pb = increase in pressure at the bottom of the layer
expulsion of pore air.
2. Consolidation SITUATION: It is desired to calculate the consolidation settlement of the
It is a time dependent process of reducing the volume voids due to 3 m thick clay layer shown in figure that will result from the load carried
expulsion of pore water and plastic readjustment of soil solids. by the footing measuring 3 m x 1.5 m in plan. Assume the clay to be
normally consolidated and using 2:1 method.
Settlement is defined as the deformation of soil due to vertical stress.
Settlement is defined as the vertical movement of the ground due to
increased vertical stresses are applied to the ground surface.

PRIMARY CONSOLIDATION SETTLEMENT (CLAY)

∆𝒆
𝑺= 𝑯
𝒆𝒐 + 𝟏
where: H = thickness of stratum
eo = void ratio before the vertical load is applied
S = primary consolidation settlement
PRIMARY CONSOLIDATION SETTLEMENT OF NORMALLY
CONSOLIDATED CLAY
𝑪𝑪 𝑯 𝑷𝒐 + ∆𝑷
𝑺= 𝒍𝒐𝒈 [ ]
𝒆𝒐 + 𝟏 𝑷𝒐
PRIMARY CONSOLIDATION SETTLEMENT OF OVERCONSOLIDATED
CLAY
Case 1: (Po + ∆P) ≤ Pc
𝑪𝒔 𝑯 𝑷𝒐 + ∆𝑷
𝑺= 𝒍𝒐𝒈 [ ]
𝒆𝒐 + 𝟏 𝑷𝒐
Case 2: (Po + ∆P) > Pc
𝑪𝒔 𝑯 𝑷𝒄 𝑪𝒄 𝑯 𝑷𝒐 + ∆𝑷
𝑺= 𝒍𝒐𝒈 [ ] + 𝒍𝒐𝒈 [ ]
𝒆𝒐 + 𝟏 𝑷𝒐 𝒆𝒐 + 𝟏 𝑷𝒄
19. Determine initial effective stress at the mid-height of the clay layer.
where: H = thickness of clay layer eo = initial void ratio 20. Calculate the induced stress at the mid-height of the clay layer.
Cc = compression index Cs = swell index 21. Calculate the consolidation settlement of the clay layer if it is
Pc = preconsolidation pressure ∆P = additional load normally consolidated.
Po = present overburden pressure
 LATERAL EARTH PRESSURE SITUATION: A vertical retaining wall 8 m high is supporting a horizontal
backfill having a moist unit weight of 16 kN/m3 and a saturated unit weight
- Horizontal Soil Stress of 20 kN/m3. Angle of internal friction above and below the water table
Vertical Earth Pressure, 𝒑𝒗 = 𝜸𝒉 are 30° and 22° respectively. Ground water table is located 4 m below
the ground surface.
Lateral Earth Pressure, 𝒑𝒉 = 𝒌𝜸𝒉
1. Determine the at rest lateral earth force per meter length of the
where:
wall.
k – lateral earth pressure coefficient
2. Determine the location of the resultant force.
𝛾 – effective unit weight of soil
3. Determine the at rest lateral earth force per meter length of the wall
h – height of soil
and location if it carries a surcharge of 100 KPa.
Three Categories
SITUATION: A gravity retaining wall retains 12 m of backfill having a unit
1. At Rest – soil pressure which causes no wall movement
weight of 21 kN/m3 and an angle of internal friction of 25⁰ with a uniform
2. Active – soil pressure which causes wall to move away from soil
horizontal surface. Assume that the wall interface to be vertical.
3. Passive – soil pressure which causes wall to move toward soil
4. Compute the magnitude of the total active force
At Rest Condition 5. Compute the magnitude of the total active pressure at the base of
the wall if the water table is at a height of 7 m with a submerged
𝒑𝒐 = 𝒌𝒐 𝜸𝒉
unit weight of 13 kN/m3.
where: 𝑘𝑜 – at-rest earth pressure coefficient 6. By how much is the location of the active force gets lowered due
to the presence of the water table?
At-Rest Earth Pressure Coefficient
Jacky, 1944: 𝒌𝒐 = 𝟏 − 𝐬𝐢𝐧 ∅ SITUATION: A retaining wall has a vertical back and is 10 m high. The
soil is a sandy loam of 15 kN/m3. It shows cohesion of 15 KPa and an
𝜸𝒅𝒓𝒚
Sherif, Fang and Sherif, 1984: 𝒌𝒐 = (𝟏 − 𝐬𝐢𝐧 ∅) + 𝟓. 𝟓 (
𝜸𝒅𝒓𝒚(𝐦𝐢𝐧)
− 𝟏) angle of internal friction of 20°. The upper surface of the fill is horizontal.

Massarsch, 1979: 𝒌𝒐 = 𝟎. 𝟒𝟒 + 𝟎. 𝟒𝟐𝑷𝑰 7. Determine the critical depth of the wall.

8. Determine the total thrust on the wall.
OCR: 𝒌𝒐(𝑶𝑪) = (𝟏 − 𝐬𝐢𝐧 ∅)√𝑶𝑪𝑹 9. Determine the resultant thrust on the wall if drains are locked and
water builds up behind the wall until the water table is 5 m above
Active Condition the bottom of the wall. Saturated unit weight of soil is 19 kN/m3.
𝒑𝒂 = 𝒌𝒂 𝜸𝒉
where: 𝑘𝑎 – active earth pressure coefficient

Passive Condition
𝒑𝒑 = 𝒌𝒑 𝜸𝒉
where: 𝑘𝑝 – passive earth pressure coefficient

Rankine Theory, 1857

Active Earth Pressure Coefficient: When 𝜷 = 𝟎°

𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝜷−√𝒄𝒐𝒔𝟐 𝜷−𝒄𝒐𝒔𝟐 ∅ 𝟏−𝒔𝒊𝒏 ∅
𝒌𝒂 = 𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝜷 [ ] 𝒌𝒂 = 𝟏+𝒔𝒊𝒏 ∅
𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝜷+√𝒄𝒐𝒔𝟐 𝜷−𝒄𝒐𝒔𝟐 ∅

Passive Earth Pressure Coefficient: When 𝜷 = 𝟎°

𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝜷+√𝒄𝒐𝒔𝟐 𝜷−𝒄𝒐𝒔𝟐 ∅
𝒌𝒑 = 𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝜷 [ ] 𝒌𝒑 = 𝟏+𝒔𝒊𝒏 ∅
𝟏−𝒔𝒊𝒏 ∅
𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝜷−√𝒄𝒐𝒔𝟐 𝜷−𝒄𝒐𝒔𝟐 ∅

Where: ∅ – angle of internal friction (or angle of shearing resistance)

𝛽 – slope of backfill (soil mass)
“We must accept finite
Additional Earth Pressure Parameters
Water: 𝒑𝒘 = 𝜸𝒘 𝒉
disappointment , but we must
Cohesion: 𝒑𝒄 = −𝟐𝒄√𝒌
𝒑𝒄 = 𝟐𝒄√𝒌
(Active)
(Passive)
never lose infinite hope.”
-Martin Luther King
Surcharge: 𝒑𝒒 = 𝒌𝒒