LE/CIVL 3210 Geotechnical Engineering

Assignment 2 – Bearing Capacity Date: Jan 31st, 2023

Question # 1. A foundation for a long concrete block wall of thickness 0.2 m (8 in.) will be founded on a
dense sand (φ'p from direct shear test = 32°; Dr = 85% and γsat = 17.8 kN/m3 (113 pcf)). The wall will transmit
a vertical live load of 60 kN/m (4000 lb/ft) in addition to the estimated foundation dead load of 7.5 kN/m
(500 lb/ft). The foundation is to be located 0.5 m (1.5 ft) below finished grade. The groundwater level is 5
m (16 ft) below finished grade. Determine the size of the foundation (width) using ASD for FS = 3.
Investigate the effects of a rise of the groundwater to (a) the ground surface and (b) the foundation base.

Solution:

Df = 0.5 γsat = 17.8 KN/m3 φ'p = 320 Soil Profile: Dense Sand D.L = 60 KN/m

L.L = 7.5 KN/m FS= 3

Step 1: Assume B’ and calculate bearing capacity numbers, shape, and depth factors:

𝐴𝑠𝑠𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝐵’ = 𝐵 = 1 𝑚 , 𝐿 → ∞ → for a long concrete wall.

Bearing Capacity Factors

∅′𝑝
𝑁𝑞 = 𝑒 𝜋𝑡𝑎𝑛 ∅′𝑝 𝑡𝑎𝑛2 (45° + ⁄ ) = 𝑒 𝜋𝑡𝑎𝑛 32° 𝑡𝑎𝑛2 (45° + 32°⁄ ) = 23.2
2 2

𝑁𝑞 − 1 = 23.2 − 1 = 22.2

32 ×𝜋
𝑁𝛾 = 0.1054 𝑒𝑥𝑝 (9.6 × ) = 0.1054 𝑒𝑥𝑝 (9.6 × 180
)=
22.5 (𝑈𝑠𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑚𝑢𝑙𝑎 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑔ℎ 𝑓𝑜𝑜𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑏𝑒𝑎𝑐𝑢𝑠𝑒 𝑖𝑡 𝑖𝑠 𝑙𝑎𝑖𝑑 𝑜𝑛 𝑎 𝑐𝑜𝑎𝑟𝑠𝑒 𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑑 𝑚𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑎𝑙)

Shape Factors
𝐵
𝐿𝑜𝑛𝑔 𝑟𝑒𝑡𝑎𝑖𝑛𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑤𝑎𝑙𝑙 → 𝑆𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑝 𝑓𝑜𝑜𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 → 𝐿 ≫ 𝐵 → 𝐿 → ∞ → 𝐿
≈ 0 → 𝑆𝑞 = 𝑆𝛾 = 1

Depth factors:
𝐷𝑓 0.5 𝜋
𝑑𝑞 = 1 + 2 tan ∅′ 𝑝 (1 − sin ∅′𝑝 )2 𝑡𝑎𝑛−1 𝐵
= 1 + 2 𝑡𝑎𝑛 32°(1 − 𝑠𝑖𝑛 32°)2 [𝑡𝑎𝑛−1 ( 1 ) × 180] = 1.14

𝑑𝛾 = 1

Step 2: Calculate the ultimate and allowable bearing capacity. Substitute the values in Step 1 into the
bearing capacity equation. The groundwater level is located more than B below the base. Therefore,
groundwater will not affect the bearing capacity.

𝑞𝑢 = 𝛾𝐷𝑓 (𝑁𝑞 − 1)𝑆𝑞 𝑑𝑞 + 0.5𝛾𝐵′ 𝑁𝛾 𝑆𝛾 𝑑𝛾 = (17.8 × 0.5 × 22.2 × 1 × 1.14) + (0.5 × 17.8 × 1 ×
22.5 × 1 × 1) = 424.51 𝐾𝑃𝑎
𝑞 424.51
𝑞𝑎 = 𝐹𝑆𝑢 + 𝛾𝐷𝑓 = 3
+ 17.8 × 0.5 = 150.4𝐾𝑃𝑎
LE/CIVL 3210 Geotechnical Engineering

𝑃𝑎 = 𝑞𝑎 × 𝐵 = 150.4 × 1 = 150.4 𝐾𝑁/𝑚 (Calculate 𝑃𝑎 in per m length because P is also given in per m
length for the long concrete wall).

Step 3: Calculate the imposed stress based on ASD

ASD: 𝑃 = 𝐷𝐿 + 𝐿𝐿 = 7.5 + 60 = 67.5 𝐾𝑁/𝑚

Step 4: Check stability of assumed foundation size.

𝐴𝑆𝐷: 𝑃𝑎 (= 150.4 𝐾𝑁/𝑚 ) > 𝑃 (= 67.5 𝐾𝑁/𝑚 ) → 𝑎𝑐𝑐𝑒𝑝𝑡𝑎𝑏𝑙𝑒

Step 5: Adjust the theoretical bearing capacity equations according to the groundwater level.

(Assume that the soil above ground water table is saturated). Use the corrected equation for ground
water table conditions.

(a) Groundwater level at the ground surface. In this case, the groundwater level will affect the bearing
capacity.

𝐷𝑓 = 0.5, 𝑧=0

𝛾 ′ = 𝛾𝑠𝑎𝑡 − 𝛾𝑤 = 17.8 − 9.8 = 8 KN/𝑚 3

𝑞𝑢 = (𝛾𝑠𝑎𝑡 𝑧 + 𝛾′ (𝐷𝑓 − 𝑧)) ∗ (𝑁𝑞 − 1)𝑆𝑞 𝑑𝑞 + 0.5𝛾 ′ 𝐵′ 𝑁𝛾 𝑆𝛾 𝑑𝛾 = ((17.8 × 0) + 8(0.5 − 0)) × 22.2 ×
1 × 1.14) + (0.5 × 8 × 1 × 22.5 × 1 × 1) = 190.56 KPa
𝑞 190.56
𝑞𝑎 = 𝐹𝑆𝑢 + 𝛾𝐷𝑓 = 3
+ 17.8 × 0.5 = 72.42 𝐾𝑃𝑎

𝑃𝑎 = 𝑞𝑎 × 𝐵 = 72.42 × 1 = 72.42 𝐾𝑁/𝑚

Check stability of assumed foundation size.

𝐴𝑆𝐷: 𝑃𝑎 (= 72.42 𝐾𝑁/𝑚 ) > 𝑃 (= 67.5 𝐾𝑁/𝑚 ) → 𝑎𝑐𝑐𝑒𝑝𝑡𝑎𝑏𝑙𝑒

The groundwater level rising to the surface will reduce the bearing capacity by more than one-half.

(b) Groundwater level at the bottom of the base. In this case, the groundwater level will affect the last
term in the bearing capacity.

𝑞𝑢 = 𝛾𝐷𝑓 (𝑁𝑞 − 1)𝑆𝑞 𝑑𝑞 + 0.5 (𝛾𝑧 + (𝛾𝑠𝑎𝑡 − 𝛾𝑤 ) ∗ (𝐵 − 𝑧)) ∗ 𝑁𝛾 𝑆𝛾 𝑑𝛾

𝑞𝑢 = 𝛾𝐷𝑓 (𝑁𝑞 − 1)𝑆𝑞 𝑑𝑞 + 0.5 ∗ (𝛾𝑧 + 𝛾′(𝐵′ − 𝑧)) ∗ 𝑁𝛾 𝑆𝛾 𝑑𝛾 =(17.8× 0.5 × 22.2 × 1 × 1.14) +
(0.5 × (0 + 8 × (1 − 0)) × 22.5 × 1 × 1) = 314.35 𝐾𝑃𝑎
𝑞 314.35
𝑞𝑎 = 𝐹𝑆𝑢 + 𝛾𝐷𝑓 = 3
+ 17.8 × 0.5 = 113.68 𝐾𝑃𝑎

𝑃𝑎 = 𝑞𝑎 × 𝐵 = 113.68 × 1 = 113.68 𝐾𝑁/𝑚

Check stability of assumed foundation size.

𝐴𝑆𝐷: 𝑃𝑎 (= 113.68 𝐾𝑁/𝑚) > 𝑃 (= 67.5 𝐾𝑁/𝑚 ) → 𝑎𝑐𝑐𝑒𝑝𝑡𝑎𝑏𝑙𝑒

LE/CIVL 3210 Geotechnical Engineering

Question # 2. The foundation (base) of a long retaining wall is required to support the load (including self-
weight of the base and the wall) and moment (this comes from the lateral loads on the wall) shown in Fig.
below. Determine the factor of safety against bearing capacity failure. Calculate the elastic settlement at
the two corners of the base. Would the settlement of the base be uniform? Discuss your answer.

Solution:

Calculate eccentricity:

Assume that the footing thickness is 0.8 m, the horizontal load is now applied at 0.4 m from the base.

ƩM (𝑎𝑏𝑜𝑢𝑡 𝑦 𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑠) = −425 × 0.1 + 150 = 107.5 𝐾𝑁. 𝑚

𝑀𝑦 107.5
𝑒𝐵 = ( )= = 0.25
𝑉𝑛 425

Use L = 1 m (for per unit length of the retaining wall)

𝐵′ = 𝐵 − 2𝑒 = 6.6 − 2 ∗ 0.25 = 6.1 m

𝑀𝑥 150 × 0.4
𝑒𝐿 = ( )= = 0.14
𝑉𝑛 425

Ground water table is 9 m below the base of the foundation > B thus, no correction is required.

Bearing Capacity Factors

∅′𝑝
𝑁𝑞 = 𝑒 𝜋𝑡𝑎𝑛 ∅′𝑝 𝑡𝑎𝑛2 (45° + ⁄ ) = 68.85
2

𝑁𝑞 − 1 = 23.2 − 1 = 67.85

𝑁𝛾 = 0.1054 𝑒𝑥𝑝 (9.6 × )=

93.3 (𝑈𝑠𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑚𝑢𝑙𝑎 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑔ℎ 𝑓𝑜𝑜𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑏𝑒𝑎𝑐𝑢𝑠𝑒 𝑖𝑡 𝑖𝑠 𝑙𝑎𝑖𝑑 𝑜𝑛 𝑎 𝑐𝑜𝑎𝑟𝑠𝑒 𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑑 𝑚𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑎𝑙)
LE/CIVL 3210 Geotechnical Engineering
Shape Factors:
𝐵
𝐿𝑜𝑛𝑔 𝑟𝑒𝑡𝑎𝑖𝑛𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑤𝑎𝑙𝑙 → 𝑆𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑝 𝑓𝑜𝑜𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 → 𝐿 ≫ 𝐵 → 𝐿 → ∞ → ≈ 0 → 𝑆𝑞 = 𝑆𝛾 = 1
𝐿

Depth factors:
𝐷𝑓
𝑑𝑞 = 1 + 2 tan ∅′ 𝑝 (1 − sin ∅′𝑝 )2 𝑡𝑎𝑛−1 𝐵′ = 1.03

𝑑𝛾 = 1

Failure calculations along the shorter side of the footing:

𝑞𝑢 = 𝛾𝐷𝑓 (𝑁𝑞 − 1)𝑆𝑞 𝑑𝑞 + 0.5𝛾𝐵′ 𝑁𝛾 𝑆𝛾 𝑑𝛾 = 6386.17 𝐾𝑁/𝑚

𝑉𝑛 6𝑒𝑩
𝑀𝑎𝑥 𝑉𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 𝑆𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠 𝑎𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑔 𝑥 − 𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑠 = 𝜎𝑚𝑎𝑥 = (1 + )
𝐵𝐿 𝐵
425 6×0.25
= 6.6 ×1 (1 + 6.6
) = 79.03 𝐾𝑁/𝑚 (For the eccentric vertical load and moment)

6386.17
FS = ( ) = 104.6
79.03 − 18 × 1

6.1
B′/6 = ( ) = 1.02
6

𝑒𝐵 < 𝐵/6 which shows that although the settlement is not uniform at the base of footing but hence
eccentricity is small, so any tilting at the base would be within tolerable limits.

Question # 3. A column carrying a dead load of 200 kN ( 45 kips), a live load of 500 kN (112.5 kips) along
with a moment of 200 kN/m (147.5 kips/ft) about the Y-axis is to be founded on a rectangular foundation
at a depth of 0.5 m (1.5 ft) below the finished ground surface in a deep deposit of dense sand (D . = 85%).
r

The soil parameters are: φ'p from direct shear tests = 38°, γ = 19.8 kN/m3(126 pcf) , and S = 70%. The
groundwater level is at 8 m (25 ft) below the base of the foundation. Determine the size of the foundation
to satisfy ultimate limit state based on ASD (FS = 3) and LRFD.

Solution:

φ'p = 38°, γ = 19.8 kN/m3, S = 70%.

ASD: Vertical Load P = 200+ 500 = 700 kN

My = 200kN m

200
𝑒𝐵 = ( ) = 0.29
700

𝑀𝑖𝑛𝑖𝑚𝑢𝑚 𝐵𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑡ℎ 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑓𝑜𝑜𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 = 6 × 𝑒𝐵 = 6 × 0.29 = 1.74

Assume: B = 2 m L=3m (for a rectangular footing)

LE/CIVL 3210 Geotechnical Engineering
𝐵′ = 𝐵 − 2𝑒 = 2 − 2 ∗ 0.29 = 1.42, 𝐿′ = 𝐿 − 2𝑒 = 3 − 2 ∗ 0.29 = 2.42,

Ground water table is 8 m below the base of the foundation > B thus, no correction is required.

Bearing Capacity Factors

∅′𝑝
𝑁𝑞 = 𝑒 𝜋𝑡𝑎𝑛 ∅′𝑝 𝑡𝑎𝑛2 (45° + ⁄ ) = 48.9
2

𝑁𝑞 − 1 = 23.2 − 1 = 47.9

38 ×𝜋
𝑁𝛾 = 0.1054 𝑒𝑥𝑝 (9.6 × ) = 0.1054 𝑒𝑥𝑝 (9.6 × 180
)=
61.4 (𝑈𝑠𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑚𝑢𝑙𝑎 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑔ℎ 𝑓𝑜𝑜𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑏𝑒𝑎𝑐𝑢𝑠𝑒 𝑖𝑡 𝑖𝑠 𝑙𝑎𝑖𝑑 𝑜𝑛 𝑎 𝑐𝑜𝑎𝑟𝑠𝑒 𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑑 𝑚𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑎𝑙)

Shape Factors: (Use B’ and L’ for calculation of all the factors).

𝑆𝑞 = 1.46, 𝑆𝛾 = 0.77

Depth factors:
𝐷𝑓
𝑑𝑞 = 1 + 2 tan ∅′ 𝑝 (1 − sin ∅′𝑝 )2 𝑡𝑎𝑛−1 = 1.1
𝐵′

𝑑𝛾 = 1

𝑞𝑢 = 𝛾𝐷𝑓 (𝑁𝑞 − 1)𝑆𝑞 𝑑𝑞 + 0.5𝛾𝐵′ 𝑁𝛾 𝑆𝛾 𝑑𝛾 = 1406.69 𝐾𝑃𝑎

𝑉𝑛 6𝑒𝑩
𝑀𝑎𝑥 𝑆𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠 = 𝜎𝑚𝑎𝑥 = (1 + ) (𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑐 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑚𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑐𝑎𝑠𝑒)
𝐵𝐿 𝐵
700 6 × 0.29
= (1 + ) = 455.84 𝐾𝑃𝑎
1.75 × 2.75 1.75

1406.69
FS = ( ) = 3.15 ≥ 3
455.84 − 19.8 × 0.5

𝑞𝑎 = 478.79 𝐾𝑃𝑎

𝑃𝑎 = 𝑞𝑎 × 𝐵′ × 𝐿′ = 1645.34 𝐾𝑃𝑎

Check stability of assumed foundation size.

𝐴𝑆𝐷: 𝑃𝑎 (= 1645.34 𝐾𝑃𝑎 ) > 𝑃 (= 700 𝐾𝑃𝑎 ) → 𝑎𝑐𝑐𝑒𝑝𝑡𝑎𝑏𝑙𝑒

LE/CIVL 3210 Geotechnical Engineering

Question # 4. A square foundation, 3 m ( 10 ft) wide, is located 1.5 m (5 ft) below the finished grade in
dense sand (Dr = 80%). The soil parameters are: φ'p from triaxial tests = 35°, Gs = 2.65 , e = 0.3, and w =
5%. Groundwater level is at an average depth 3.5 m (12 ft) below the base of the foundation but seasonally
fluctuates ± 1 m (± 3 ft ). Determine the minimum allowable bearing capacity using FS = 3.

Solution:

φ'p = 350(from triaxial tests) [Correction Required]

φ'p =9/8*350=39.380

γsat = (Gs+e / 1+e) γw = (2.65+0.3/1+0.3) x 9.8 =22.23 KN/m3

S = wGs/e = 0.05 x 2.5/0.3 = 44.17 %

γ = (Gs+eS / 1+e) γw = (2.65+0.3x0.44/1+0.3) x 9.8 =20.92 KN/m3

Df = 1.5 FS= 3 Soil Profile: Dense Sand

Bearing Capacity Factors

∅′𝑝
𝑁𝑞 = 𝑒 𝜋𝑡𝑎𝑛 ∅′𝑝 𝑡𝑎𝑛2 (45° + ⁄ ) = 58.89
2

𝑁𝑞 − 1 = 23.2 − 1 = 57.89

𝑁𝛾 = 0.1054 𝑒𝑥𝑝 (9.6 × )=

77.27 (𝑈𝑠𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑚𝑢𝑙𝑎 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑔ℎ 𝑓𝑜𝑜𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑏𝑒𝑎𝑐𝑢𝑠𝑒 𝑖𝑡 𝑖𝑠 𝑙𝑎𝑖𝑑 𝑜𝑛 𝑎 𝑐𝑜𝑎𝑟𝑠𝑒 𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑑 𝑚𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑎𝑙)

Shape Factors

𝑆𝑞 = 1.82, 𝑆𝛾 = 0.6

Depth factors:
𝐷𝑓
𝑑𝑞 = 1 + 2 tan ∅′ 𝑝 (1 − sin ∅′𝑝 )2 𝑡𝑎𝑛−1 𝐵
= 1.11

𝑑𝛾 = 1

Minimum allowable bearing capacity:

Allowable bearing capacity will be minimum for the worst case scenario. Please refer to the figure
below:
LE/CIVL 3210 Geotechnical Engineering

𝛾 ′ = 𝛾𝑠𝑎𝑡 − 𝛾𝑤 = 22.23 − 9.8 = 12.43 𝐾𝑁/𝑚 3

GWL is assumed to be at depth Z= 2.5 m below the bottom of the footing. (worst case)
𝛾𝐵 = 𝛾𝑍 + (𝛾𝑠𝑎𝑡 − 𝛾𝑤 )(𝐵 − 𝑍) = 20.92 × 2.5 + 12.43 × 0.5 = 58.5

𝑞𝑢 = 𝛾𝐷𝑓 (𝑁𝑞 − 1)𝑆𝑞 𝑑𝑞 + 0.5𝛾′𝐵′ 𝑁𝛾 𝑆𝛾 𝑑𝛾 =

20.92 × 1.5 × 57.89 × 1.11 × 1.82 + 0.5 × 58.5 × 77.27 × 1 × 0.6 = 5026.92
𝑞 5026
𝑞𝑎 = 𝐹𝑆𝑢 + 𝛾𝐷𝑓 = 3
+ 20.92 × 1.5 = 1707 𝐾𝑃𝑎

Question # 5. A column carrying a load of 750 kN is to be founded on a square footing at a depth of 2 m

below the ground surface in a deep clay stratum. What will be the size of the footing for FS = 3 for TSA?
The soil parameters are, γsat = 18.5 kN/m3, and Su = 55 kPa. The groundwater level is at the base of the
footing, but it is expected to rise to the ground surface during rainy seasons.

Solution:

γsat = 18.5 kN/m3 Su = 55 kPa FS= 3 γ’= 8.7 kN/m3

𝐷𝑓 = 2

Assume B x L = 2.2 x 2.2 m

𝑈𝑠𝑒, 𝑞𝑢 = 5.14 𝑆𝑢 𝑆𝑐 𝑑𝑐 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑇𝑆𝐴

𝑓 𝐷 𝐵
𝑑𝑐 = 1 + 0.33 𝑡𝑎𝑛−1 ( 𝐵 ) = 1.33, 𝑆𝑐 = 1 + 0.2 ( 𝐿 ) = 1.2

𝑞𝑢 = 5.14 × 55 × 1.2 × 1.33 = 451.19 𝐾𝑃𝑎 (TSA for fine grained soil; Clay)

𝑃 750
Applied Stress, σ = = = 154.96 𝐾𝑃𝑎
𝐴 2.2 × 2.2
LE/CIVL 3210 Geotechnical Engineering

Apply check for factor of safety:

451.19
FS = 154.96−8.7 ×2 = 3.3 ≥ 3

Dimensions for B and L can be taken as 2.2 m.

Question # 6. Repeat the previous question with a moment of 250 kN.m about an axis parallel to the
length in addition to the vertical load.

Step 1: Calculate eccentricity:

250
𝑒𝐿 = ( ) = 0.33
750

Assume L = 2.8 m

Update the value of L.

𝐿′ = 𝐿 − 2𝑒 = 2.8 − 2 ∗ 0.33 = 2.14, B’ = 2.14

𝐵′ 2
𝑆𝑐 = 1 + 0.2 ( 𝐿′ ) = 1.2 𝑑𝑐 = 1 + 0.33 𝑡𝑎𝑛−1 (2.14) = 1.308

𝑞𝑢 = 5.14 × 55 × 1.2 × 1.308 = 443.73 𝐾𝑃𝑎 (For TSA)

𝑉𝑛 6𝑒𝑩
𝑀𝑎𝑥 𝑆𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠 = 𝜎𝑚𝑎𝑥 = (1 + ) (𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑐 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑚𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑐𝑎𝑠𝑒)
𝐵𝐿 𝐵

750 6 × 0.33
= (1 + ) = 163.31 𝐾𝑃𝑎
2.8 × 2.8 2.8

443.73
FS = ( ) = 3.08 ≥ 3
161.31 − 8.7 × 2