Foundation Analysis

Foundations with Df equal to 3 to 4 times the width may

be defined as shallow foundations.

TWO MAIN CHARACTERISTICS

o Safe against overall shear failure

o Cannot undergo excessive displacement, or settlement

ULTIMATE BEARING CAPACITY

o the load per unit area of the foundation at which shear
failure in soil occurs
GENERAL SHEAR FAILURE

 Long rectangular model footing of width B at the surface of a

dense sand
 The triangular wedge-shaped zone of soil marked I is pushed down
and in turn presses the zones marked II and III sideways. The soil on
the both sides of the foundation will bulge out and the slip surface
will extend to the ground surface.
LOCAL SHEAR FAILURE

 Medium dense sand or clayey soil of medium compaction

 Movement of the foundation will be accompanied by sudden jerks
 The triangular wedge-shaped zone of soil marked I is pushed down
but unlike in general shear failure, the slip surface end somewhere
inside the soil.
PUNCHING SHEAR FAILURE

 Fairly loose soil

 Soil will not extend to the ground surface
GENERAL SHEAR FAILURE
 Applies to dense granular soil and to firmer saturated
cohesive soils subject to undrained loading (the UU and
CU shearing conditions apply)

PUNCHING SHEAR FAILURE

 Applies to compressible soils, such as sands having low-
to-medium relative density, and for cohesive soils
subject to slow loading (the CD shearing condition apply)
Vesic, 1963
 Laboratory plate load-
bearing tests on circular
and rectangular plates
supported by a sand at
various relative densities
of compaction, Dr.

 Dr ≥ about 70% (general

shear failure)
Vesic, 1973

 Relationship for the

mode of bearing
capacity failure of
foundations resting on
sands.
Vesic, 1973

Dr, relative density of

sand
Df, depth of foundation
measured from the
ground surface
∗
2𝐵𝐿
𝐵 =
𝐵+𝐿
where,
B, width of foundation
L, length of foundation
General range of S/B with
the relative density of
compaction of sand.

 General Shear Failure –

ultimate load may
occur at settlements of
4 to 10% of B.
 Local Shear or Punching
Shear Failure – ultimate
load may occur at
settlements of 15 to 25%
of B.
Bearing capacity failure in soil under a rough rigid continuous (strip)
foundation

1. The triangular zone ACD immediately under the foundation

2. The radial shear zones ADF and CDE, with the curves DE and DF
being arcs of a logarithmic spiral
3. Two triangular Rankine passive zones AFH and CEG
Continuous or Strip Foundation
1
𝑞𝑢 = 𝑐′𝑁𝐶 + 𝑞𝑁𝑞 + 𝛾𝐵𝑁𝛾
2
where,
𝑐 ′ is the cohesion
is the unit weight of soil
q is the equivalent surcharge load equal to 𝛾Df
𝑁𝐶 , 𝑁𝑞 , 𝑁𝛾 are bearing capacity factors that are nondimensional and are
functions only of the soil friction angle ɸ’.
where,
Kp𝛾 is the passive pressure coefficient

Modified for:
Square Foundation
𝑞𝑢 = 1.3𝑐′𝑁𝐶 + 𝑞𝑁𝑞 + 0.4𝛾𝐵𝑁𝛾

Circular Foundation
𝑞𝑢 = 1.3𝑐′𝑁𝐶 + 𝑞𝑁𝑞 + 0.3𝛾𝐵𝑁𝛾
LOCAL SHEAR FAILURE
Strip Foundation
2 1
𝑞𝑢 = 𝑐′𝑁′𝐶 + 𝑞𝑁′𝑞 + 𝛾𝐵𝑁′𝛾
3 2

Square Foundation
𝑞𝑢 = 0.867𝑐′𝑁′𝐶 + 𝑞𝑁′𝑞 + 0.4𝛾𝐵𝑁′𝛾

Circular Foundation
𝑞𝑢 = 0.867𝑐′𝑁′𝐶 + 𝑞𝑁′𝑞 + 0.3𝛾𝐵𝑁′𝛾

′ 2 ′
ɸ = tan−1 ( tan ɸ )
3
 𝑞𝑢
𝑞𝑎𝑙𝑙 =
𝐹𝑆

𝑛𝑒𝑡 𝑢𝑙𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝑏𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑐𝑎𝑝𝑎𝑐𝑖𝑡𝑦

𝑁𝑒𝑡 𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠 𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑒 𝑜𝑛 𝑠𝑜𝑖𝑙 =
𝐹𝑆

𝑞𝑛𝑒𝑡(𝑢) = 𝑞𝑢 − 𝑞

where,
𝑞𝑛𝑒𝑡(𝑢) is the net ultimate bearing capacity
𝑞 = 𝛾𝐷𝑓

So,
𝑞𝑢 − 𝑞
𝑞𝑎𝑙𝑙(𝑛𝑒𝑡) =
𝐹𝑆

The factor of safety should be at least 3 in all cases.

1. A square foundation is 2 m x 2 m in plan. The soil supporting the
foundation has a friction angle of ɸ’ = 25˚ and 𝑐 ′ = 20 kN/m2. The unit
weight of soil, 𝛾, is 16.5 kN/m3. Determine the allowable gross load on
the foundation with a factor of safety (FS) of 3. Assume that the
depth of the foundation (Df) is 1.5 m and that general shear failure
occurs in the soil.

Solution
𝑞𝑢 = 1.3𝑐′𝑁𝐶 + 𝑞𝑁𝑞 + 0.4𝛾𝐵𝑁𝛾

From Table 3.1, for ɸ’ = 25˚,

𝑁𝐶 = 25.13
𝑁𝑞 = 12.72
𝑁𝛾 = 8.34

Thus,
𝒒𝒖 = 1.3 20 (25.13) + (1.5𝑥16.5)(12.72) + 0.4(16.5)(2)(8.34) = 1078.29 kN/m2
So, the allowable load per unit area of the foundation is
𝑞𝑢 1078.29
𝑞𝑎𝑙𝑙 = = = 359.5 kN/m2
𝐹𝑆 3

Thus, the total allowable gross load is

𝑄 = 𝑞𝑎𝑙𝑙 (𝐵2 ) = 359.5(2x2) = 1438 kN

 The bearing capacity equation is modified when the
water table is in the proximity of the foundation.

 Bearing Capacity Equation

 Modified Bearing Capacity Equation

◦ Case I
◦ Case II
◦ Case III
GENERAL SHEAR FAILURE

1
qu  c' N c  qN q  BN  (Continuous or Strip Foundation)
2
qu  1.3c' N c  qN q  0.4BN  (Square Foundation)

qu  1.3c' N c  qN q  0.3BN  (Circular Foundation)

If 0 ≤ D1 ≤ Df, q = γDf
1
qu  c' N c  qN q  BN 
q = D1γ + D2(γsat - γw) 2

where,
γsat = sat. unit wt. of soil
γw = unit wt. of water

γ in ½γBNγ becomes γ’

where γ’= γsat - γw

If 0 ≤ d ≤ B,
1
qu  c' N c  qN q  BN 
q = γDf 2
γ in the last term is

_
d
   ' (   ' )
B

* The preceding modifications are based on the

assumption that there is no seepage force in the soil.
If d ≥ B,
1
qu  c' N c  qN q  BN 
2

*The water will have

no effect on the
ultimate bearing
capacity.
SHAPE: The bearing capacity
eqns do not address the case
of rectangular foundations (0 <
B/L < 1). Wherein L > B.

DEPTH: The eqns also do not

take into account the shearing
resistance along the failure
surface in soil above the
bottom of the foundation.

LOAD INCLINATION: The load on

the foundation may be inclined.
 1
qu  c' N c Fcs Fcd Fci  qN q Fqs Fqd Fqi  BN  Fs Fd Fi
2
where,
c’ is the cohesion
q is the effective stress at the level of the bottom of the foundation
γ is the unit weight of soil
B is the width of foundation (or diameter for circular foundation)
Fcs, Fqs, Fγs are shape factors
Fcd, Fqd, Fγd are depth factors
Fci, Fqi, Fγi are load inclination factors
Nc, Nq, Nγ are bearing capacity factors
 1
qu  c' N c Fcs Fcd Fci  qN q Fqs Fqd Fqi  BN  Fs Fd Fi
2
α = 45 + ϕ’/2

Nq = tan2 (45 + ϕ’/2) eπtan ϕ’

◦ Reissner (1924)

Nc = (Nq – 1) cot ϕ’
◦ Prandtl (1921)

Nγ = 2(Nq + 1) tan ϕ’
◦ Caquot and Kerisel (1953), Vesic (1973)
Shape Factors

Reference: DeBeer (1970)

 B  N q 

Fcs  1   
 L  N c 
B
Fqs  1    tan  '
L
B
Fs  1  0.4 
L
 Depth Factors

Reference: Hansen (1970)

Df Df
1 1
B B
For    For   
 Df   Df 
Fcd  1  0.4   Fcd  1  0.4 tan 1    radians
 B   B 
Fqd  1 Fqd  1
Fd  1 Fd  1
For '    For '   
1  Fqd 1  Fqd
Fcd  Fqd  Fcd  Fqd 
N c tan  ' N c tan  '
 Df   Df 
Fqd  1  2 tan  ' (1  sin  ' ) 2   Fqd  1  2 tan  ' (1  sin  ' ) 2 tan 1 
 B    radians
 B 
Fd  1 Fd  1
Inclination Factors

Reference: Meyerhof (1963);

Hanna and Meyerhof (1981)

2
  

Fci  Fqi  1   
 90 
  
Fi  1  
 ' 
  inclination of the load
on the foundation with
respect to the vertical
2. Solve Problem 1 using the general bearing capacity equation.
 Square foundation

 2m x 2m

  '  25
c'  20kN / m 2
  16.5kN / m 3
FS  3
D f  1.5m
 General shear failure
 Reqd: Allowable gross load
 1
qu  c' N c Fcs Fcd Fci  qN q Fqs Fqd Fqi  BN  Fs Fd Fi
2
Solution:
Bearing Capacity Factors:

N q  tan 2 (45   ' / 2)e tan  '  tan 2 (45  25 / 2)e tan 25  10.66
N c  ( N q  1) cot  '  (10.66  1) cot 25  20.72
N   2( N q  1) tan  '  2(10.66  1) tan 25  10.87

*Table 3.3 can also be used.

Load Inclination Factors

Since load is vertical, Fci , Fqi , Fγi =1
Shape Factors
 B  N q 

Fcs  1    Fcs =1+ (2/2)(10.66/20.72) = 1.514
 L  N c 
B
Fqs  1    tan  ' Fqs =1 + (2/2)tan25 = 1.466
L
B
Fs  1  0.4  Fγs =1-0.4(2/2)= 0.6
L

Depth Factors (Df/B = 1.5/2 = 0.75)

Df
1
B
For '   
1  Fqd 1  1.233
Fcd  Fqd   1.233   1.257
Nc tan  ' 20.72 tan 25
Df  2 1.5 
Fqd  1  2 tan  ' (1  sin  ' ) 2    1  ( 2 tan 25)(1  sin 25)    1.233
 B   2 
Fd  1
 1
qu  c' N c Fcs Fcd Fci  qN q Fqs Fqd Fqi  BN  Fs Fd Fi
2
𝑞𝑢 = 20 20.72 1.514 1.257 1 + 1.5𝑥16.5 10.66 1.466 1.233 1
+ 0.5 16.5 2 10.88 0.6 1 1

𝑞𝑢 = 1,373.2 𝑘𝑁/𝑚2

𝑞𝑢 1,373.2
𝑞𝑎𝑙𝑙 = = = 457.7 𝑘𝑁/𝑚2
𝐹𝑆 3

𝑄 = 457.7 2𝑥2 = 1,830.8 𝑘𝑁

3. A square foundation (B x B) has to be constructed as shown below.
Assume that 𝛾 = 16.5 𝑘𝑁/𝑚3 , 𝛾𝑠𝑎𝑡 = 18.55 𝑘𝑁/𝑚3 , ∅′ = 34°, 𝐷𝑓 = 1.22 𝑚,
and 𝐷1 = 0.61 𝑚. The gross allowable load, 𝑄𝑎𝑙𝑙 , with FS = 3 is 667.2 𝑘𝑁.
Determine the size of the footing using the general bearing capacity
equation.
Since there is no cohesion,
1
qu  c' N c Fcs Fcd Fci  qN q Fqs Fqd Fqi  BN  Fs Fd Fi
Becomes
2
1
qu  qN q Fqs Fqd   ' BN  Fs Fd
2
Qall 667.2
Eqn. 1 q all  2  kN / m 2

B B2
qu 1 
Eqn. 2 q all    qN q Fqs Fqd  1  ' BN  Fs Fd 
FS 3  2 

Bearing Capacity Factors

From Table 3.3, for ϕ’ = 34
Nq = 29.44
Nγ = 41.06
 B
Fqs  1  tan  '  1  tan 34  1.67
L
B
Fs  1  0.4  1  0.4  0.6
L
2 Df 2 4 1.05
Fqd  1  2 tan  ' (1  sin  ' )  1  2 tan 34(1  sin 34)  1
B B B
Fd  1

Case I
q = D1γ + D2(γsat - γw)
q = (0.61)(16.5) + (0.61)(18.55-9.81)= 15.4 kN/m2
 q 1 1
Eqn2.q  u  (qN F F   ' BN F F )
all FS 3 q qs qd 2  s d
q  0.61x16.5  0.61(18.55  9.81)  15.4kN / m 2
  1.05  
   
1 
q 15 . 4 x 29 . 44 x 1 .67 1
q  u    B  
all FS 3  1 
 2 (18 . 55  9 . 81 ) B ( 41 . 06 )( 0 . 6)(1) 
265
 252.38   35.89 B
B
Combine Eqns 1 & 2 :
Q
q  all
all
B2
q
q  u
all FS
667.2 265
 252.38   35.89 B
B 2 B
By trial and error , B  1.3m