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Bearing Capacity of Mat Foundations

Mat foundations derive their bearing capacity from the same equations as spread footings. For mats, a factor of safety of 3 is typically used under dead or maximum live loads. Settlement usually controls the design of mat foundations in sand more than bearing capacity failure. Key equations presented calculate the ultimate and net allowable bearing capacities of mats based on soil properties and foundation geometry. Empirical equations also estimate the net allowable capacity of mats in sand based on average penetration resistance and allowable settlement.

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480 views

Bearing Capacity of Mat Foundations

Mat foundations derive their bearing capacity from the same equations as spread footings. For mats, a factor of safety of 3 is typically used under dead or maximum live loads. Settlement usually controls the design of mat foundations in sand more than bearing capacity failure. Key equations presented calculate the ultimate and net allowable bearing capacities of mats based on soil properties and foundation geometry. Empirical equations also estimate the net allowable capacity of mats in sand based on average penetration resistance and allowable settlement.

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Module: Mat Foundations

Lecture: Bearing Capacity of


Mat Foundations

CEES 4333 Foundation Engineering


Dr. Gerald A. Miller, P.E.
Overview
• Mat foundations are shallow foundations and
bearing capacity is determined using the same
equations used for spread footings.
• Mats formed from basement structures benefit
from a greater depth of embedment, compared to http://www.largoconcrete.com/gallery/la-
live-mat-foundation/#gallery_fancybox_732-2
footings below basements, as shown in the lower
right figure.
• For mats a factor of safety of 3 under dead load or
maximum live load is typically used. Das and Sivakugan 2019

• Under most conditions, the factor of safety against


bearing capacity failure of mats in sand is very
large and settlement almost always controls.
Bearing Capacity Equation for Mat Foundations
• general BC equation for mats is the same as for spot footings
• general BC equation accounts for depth of embedment, shape of footing and inclination of the load
on the footing
qu = c’NcFcsFcdFci + qNqFqsFqdFqi + 0.5γ2BNγFγsFγdFγi Eq. 6.28
where:
qu=gross ultimate bearing capacity
c’=cohesion intercept
q=γ1Df=vertical stress at the bearing level
B=width of mat
γ1, γ2=unit weight above and below bearing level, respectively
Nc , Nq , Ng = bearing capacity factors = f(φ)
Fcs , Fqs , Fgs = shape factors = f(φ, B, L)
Fcd , Fqd , Fgd = depth factors = f(φ, B, Df)
Fci , Fqi , Fgi = inclination factors = f(β=angle of load inclination from vertical)
recommended BC factors: Eqs. 6.29-6.31
recommended shape, depth, inclination factors: Table 6.3
Net Allowable Bearing Capacity for Mats
• mats are typically designed using the net allowable bearing
capacity, qall(net)
• it is based on the net ultimate bearing pressure,
qu(net)= qu-q = qu-γDf , which represents the ultimate bearing pressure in
excess of the vertical overburden pressure at the base of the footing
• net allowable bearing pressure is given as
qall(net)= qu(net)/FS= (qu-q)/FS = (qu-γDf)/FS
• for a mat, the net bearing pressure should not exceed the net
allowable bearing pressure
qnet=Q/A-γDf
qnet≤qall(net)
where: Q =total force on the mat
A =bearing area of the mat
Df =depth of embedment
γ =effective unit weight of the soil
Bearing Capacity Equation for Mat Foundations in Clay
• in clays, we use a total stress analysis with φ =0, and c=cu
• for φ =0, Nc=5.14, Nq=1, Nγ=0, Fqs=Fqd=1, and assuming no
inclination,
qu = 5.14cuFcsFcd + q
where: q=total vertical stress at the bearing level=γDf
using Fcs , and Fcd from Table 6.3
Fcs=1+(B/L)(Nq/Nc)=1+(B/L)(1/5.14)=1+0.195(B/L)
Fcd=1+0.4(Df/B) for Df≤B, (reasonable assumption for mats)
qu = 5.14cu(1+0.195B/L)(1+0.4Df/B) + q Eq. 10.11
qu(net)=qu-q=5.14cu(1+0.195B/L)(1+0.4Df/B)
qall(net)=qu(net)/FS=[5.14cu(1+0.195B/L)(1+0.4Df/B)]/FS
Bearing Capacity Equation for Mat Foundations in Sand
• Generally, for mats in sand the factor of safety against bearing capacity failure is very large.
Thus, allowable bearing capacity is typically based on settlement considerations, and
estimated by an empirical equation that uses the average standard penetration resistance,
N60, beneath the mat.
• Equations, 9.46 to 9.51 in the textbook, were developed by Meyerhof (1956, 1965) and
modified by Bowles (1977). They can be used with spread footings and mats.
• For mats, the net bearing pressure corresponding to is given settlement is given by,
qnet=N60/4[(B+1)/B]2FdSe (for B>4 ft.) Eq. 9.47
where: Se= settlement (inches), qnet=net bearing pressure (ksf), N60=average SPT N value,
B=width (feet), and Fd=1+0.33(Df/B)
• Typically for mats, allowable settlement is equal to 2 inches, (B+1)/B is approximately 1, and
conservatively taking Fd=1, Eq. 9.47 gives the net allowable bearing pressure,
qall(net)=0.5N60 Eq. 10.16b
The End

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