Professional Documents
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timely dissemination of this information in an accurate manner to the public.
1 +, 1 +
01 ' 5
Jawaharlal Nehru
! $ ' +-
Satyanarayan Gangaram Pitroda
! > 0 B
BharthariNtiatakam
1s : 1904 -
Indian Standard
1986
( Reaffirmed 2006 )
( Third Revision)
*.
.*
UDC
6241504 : 00676
0 Copyright
BUREAU
&ANAK
OF
BHAVAN,
1987
INDIAN
9
BAHADUR
NEW DELHI
Gr 6
1989
STANDARDS
SHAH
ZAFAR
MARG
110002
November 1987
IS : 1904 - 1986
Indian Standard
CODE OF PRACTICE FOR
DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION
OF
FOUNDATIONS IN SOILS :, GENERAL
REQIJIREMENTS
Foundation
Engineering
Sectional
Commitree,
BDC 43
Chai~ilrnn
MAJ-Gtld OMIIBIR
SINGH
,\iervbers
GOL K. P. ANAND ( Airrrnare to
Maj-Gen Ombir Singh )
Ministry of Railways ( R.DSO )
ADUITIONALDIKECTQR( GE )
ADDITIONALDIRECTOR( S ) ( Alternate )
Ministry of Communication
Smr K. K. AGC~.AHWAL
I~aboratorics,
Research
SHKl H. rthJlAH
Engineering
A. P.
Hyderabad
Stm! ARJUN RIJHSISGHANI
Cement Corporation of India, New Delhi
SHRI 0. S. SRIVASTAVA( .4/ter/;ate )
Central Building Research
Institute ( CSIR ),
DH IL K. BHANDARI
Roorkee
SFII~ICHA~DRA PI<AKAS!I( Aito~nnte )
SHKI MAH\BII<UIDASAKIA
Ferro-Concrete Consultants Pvt Ltd, Indore
SHKI ASHOK BID.~s;\KI.\
( Alternate )
SmI S. P. CHZKKABARTI
Ministry of Transport ( Roads Wing )
SII~CIP. K. DA.ITA ( Alternate )
Sty A. K. CH~TTERJEH
Gammon India Ltd, Bombay
SHIP A. C. ROY ( Akmfe
)
CHIEF E~G~~EEII
Calcutta Port TrusL Calcutta
SHRI S. GUH\ ( Alternate )
Simplex Concrete Piles (I) P\t Ltd, b7alcutta
SHRI R. K. DAS GUP~A
SHRI EL GUHA BISWAS ( Alternate )
SHKI A. G. DASTI~AR
In personal capacity ( 5 Hungerford
Court,
121
Hungerford Street, Calcutta )
( Contiwed
BUREAU
on page 2 )
(c Copyright I987
OF INDIAN STANDARDS
This Gublication is protected under the Indian: Copyright Act ( XIV of 1957 ) and
reproduction in whole or in part by any means except with written permission of the
publisher shall be deemed to be an infringement of copyright under the said Act.
IS : 1904- 1986
( Cotttintcdfroin
page 1 j
Representbtg
Members
SHR!V. C. DFSHPANDE
DIRBCTOR( CSMRS)
CHIEFR&SEARCH
OPP:Cfx
( CSMRS ) ( Afternote j
SKRI A. H. D~VANJ~
Asia
Foundations
and
Limited, Bombay
Construction
Private
111 personal
SHRI S. MUKHERJEE
capacity (E104A
Simia
House.
S~RJ T. K. D. MUNSJ
SHRJ M. IYWOAR ( Abemate j
SHRJA. V. S. R. MURT~
&al B. K. PANTHAKY
SHRI V. M. MAUGB ( Alternate)
SHRTM. R. PUNJA
SERI D. J. K~TKAR ( Alternate)
Dr V. V. S. RAO
DR A. SARGWAN
SZZRS
S. B~MMINATHAN ( Alternate
SUPSKJNTZNDJFZG
ENGINEER
( DEsroNs )
HXWXTYV~ENUINEER
( DESJQNS
V
( Alternate )
DR A. VARADARAJAN
DR R. KAXXRAJ( AIterMIe j
SHR1G. RAMAN.
j
Indian Institute of Technology, New Delhi
Secretury
SRRI K. M. MAThWit
Joiut Director ( Civ Engg j,
BIS
( Cwstinued on page 22 )
IS:1904-1986
Indian Standard
CODE OF PRACTICE FOR
. DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION
OF
FOUNDATIONS IN SOILS : GENERAL
REQUIREMENTS
( Third Revision)
0. FOREWORD
0.1 This Indian
IS : 1904- 1986
exceed the safe bearing capacity and that structural design which involves
the determination
of the thickness of elements so that maximum stress in
concrete ( plain or reinforced ) and masonry is within permissible limits.
0.4 For the purpose of deciding whether a particular requirement
of this
standard is complied with, the final value, observed or calculated, expressing the result of a test or analysis, shall be rounded off in accordance with
The number
of significant
places retained in the rounded
IS : 2-1960*.
off value should be the same as that of the specified value in this standard.
1. SCOPE
1.1 This standard covers the general structural
requirements
of foundations
( shallow, deep and special types ).
2. TERMINOLOGY
2.1 For the purpose of this standard,
IS : 2809-19721 shall apply.
3. TYPES
the
definition
of terms
given
in
OF FOUNDATIONS
in which
3.1 Shallow Foundations - These cover such types of foundations
load transference is primarily through shear resistance of the bearing strata
( the fractional
resistance
of soil above bearing strata is not taken into
consideration
) and are laid normally to depth of 3 m.
3.1.1 The various
types of shallow
foundations
are as under:
pee IS : 1080-1986:.
See IS : 1080-1\986$.
c) Raft foundation -
IS : 11089-19841~
and
IS : 94.56-
typea
of
1904- 1986
1s:
the loads to a deeper load bearing strata ahen, no adequate bearing strata
exists at shallow depths.
The transference
of load by a deep foundation
may be through friction, end-bearing
or a combination
of both.
3.2.1 The various
are as under:
a) Pile Foundations
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
are as under:
a) Machine foundations
1) Reciprocating
2) Impact type -
type -
See IS :2974
( Part
1 )-1982**.
See IS : 2974 ( Part 2 )-1980tt.
*Code of practice for design and construction of pile foundations : Part 1 Concrete
piles ( Sections 1 to 4 ) ( firsr revision ).
tCode of practice for design and construction
of pile foundations
: Part 2 Timber
IS: 1904-1986
See IS : 2974
(Part 3 )-1975*.
4) Rotary type lowfrequency - See IS : 2974 ( Part 4 )-1975t.
5) Impact type ( other than hammer j - SeeIS : 2974 ( Part 5 )19%7$.
b) Tower foundations
1) Transmission line towers and poles -
2) Radar antenna,
198511.
microwave and
See IS : 4091-19795.
TV
tower -
See IS : 11233-
4. GROUND
4.1 The natural geological deposits over, base rock extending
surface level of the earth should be examined.
to the
5. SITE INVESTIGATION
5.1 The investigation of the site is an essential prerequisite to theconstruc- .
tion of all civil engineering works with a view to assess the general suitability of the site for the proposed new works and to enable in preparing an
adequate and economic design.
In particular, it is necessary to assess the changes that may occur
during or after the construction of the structure due to the choice of materials or methods of construction which may adversely affect safety of
structure or after its performance or utility.
5.2 The investigation of the site should be carried out in accordance with
the principles set in IS : 1892-19797. As a preliminary, it is usually
judicious to collect information relating to the site prior to commencing
its exploration.
The exploration of the site for an important structure
requires the exploration and sampling of all strata likely to be significantly
affected by the structural load. The extent of this exploration will depend
on the site and structure.
In any case, particular attention shall be paid
to the ground water level, underground water courses, old drains, pits,
wells, old foundation, etc, and presence of excessive sulphates or Other
*Code of ractice for design and construction of machine foundations : PM 3
Foundations For rotary type machines ( medium and high frequency ) ( firsf revision ).
tCode of practice for design and construction of machine foundations : Part 4
Foundations for rotary type machines of low frequency ( first revision ).
$Code of practice for design and construction of machine foundations : Part 5
Foundations for impact type machines other than hammers ( first revision ).
Code of practice for design and construction of foundations for transmission line
towers and poles ( first revision).
l/Code of practice for design and construction of radar antenna, microwave and
TV tower foundations.
aCode of practice for subsurface investigation for foundations ( first revision).
IS:l!M4-1986
injurious compound in the ground water and soil. The site should also be
explored in detail, where necessary, to ascertain the type consistency, thickness, sequence and dip of the strata.
5.3 Mass movements of the ground are liable to occur from causesindependent of the loads imposed by the structure.
These include mining
subsidence, land slips, unstable slopes and creep on clay slopes.
These factors shall be observed in detail during site investigation and
taken into account in the layout and design of the proposed works.
However, if necessary, expert advice regarding the geological and hydrologicai characteristics of the site shall be sought.
5.3.1 Mining subsidence is liable to occur in mining areas. The magnitude of the movement and its distribution pver the area of the workings
and their vicinity can be roughly estimated. Where future subsidence is
likely, care should be taken to design the superstructure and foundation
sufficiently strong or sufficiently flexible to cater for probable ground
movements. Long continuous buildings should be avoided and large
building should be divided into independent sections of suitable size, each
with its own foundations.
Expert advice from appropriate mining authority should be sought.
5.3.2 Cuttings, excavations or sloping ground near foundations may
increase the possibility of shear failure in the ground supporting the
foundations.
On sloping ground on clay soils there is always a tendency for the
upper layers of soil to move downhill, the extent, however, depends on the
type of soil, the angle of slope, ground water regime and climatic conditions. Instability may develop even after a long period of apparent
stability, particularly in stiff, fissured and over consolidated clay soil.
Uneven surface of a slope on virgin ground, curved tree trunks,
tilted fence posts, tilted boundary walls, etc, indicate the creep of the surface layers. Areas subject to land slip and unstable slopes shall, therefore,
be avoided.
5.3.3 Some clayey soils are susceptible to shrinkage and cracking in dry
and hot weather, and swelling in wet weather. These conditions are simulated, sometimes, by extraneous agencies like trees, boiler installations,
furnaces, kilns, underground cables, services and refrigeration installations.
These factors shall be studied carefully before designing any foundations.
Shrinkage of clay soils may be increased by the drying effect produced by
nearby trees and shrubs. Swelling may occur, if they are cut down. NO
trees which grow to a large size shall be planted within 8 m of foundations
of buildings.
7
1S : 1904- 1986
5.3.4 New constructions
may interfere
with drainage
regime of the
ground and affect the stability of existing structure.
Adequate precautions
On the uphill side of a building on a
should be taken to protect these.
sloping
site, land drainage requires special consideration
for diverting the
If excavation involves
natural flow of water away from the foundations.
cutting through
existing land drains, consideraticn
should
be given for
diverting into the ground-drainage
system.
%3. Increase in moisture extent results in substantial
loss of bearing
capacity in case of certain types of soils which may lead to differential
settiements.
On sites liable to be water iogged in wet weather, it is desirrable to determine the contour
of. the water-table surface in order to
indicate the directions of the natural drainagd
and to obtain the basis of
the design of intercepting drains to prevent the influx of ground water into
the site from higher ground.
The seasonal variation
in the level of the
water table
is of importance
in some cases.
In case of soils with low
permeability,
the water levels in boreholes
or observation
wells may take
a considerable
time to reach equilibrium
with ground water
Spot readings
of Vater level in boreholes
may, therefore, give an erroneous impression of
the true ground water level.
It is generally
determined
by measuring the
water level in the borehole after a suitable time lapse for which a period
of 14 hours or more be used as the case may be. In soils with high
permeability,
such as sand and gravels, lapse of sometime is ustially suffizient, unless the hole has been sealed with drilling mud.
In these cases it
nay be necessary to resort ?o indirect means to estab!ish the approximate
location
of the water table.
Where deep excavation
is required,
the
location of water bea,ring strata should be determined with particular care
and the water pressure
in each should be observed so that necessary
precautions may be taken during excavation.
5.3.6
In certain localities where considerable
quantities
of soluble salts
are contained
in ground
water and soil, portland
cement concrete,
especially thin members or buried metals are subjected to deterioration
and
corrosion.
Certain
soils have a corrosive action on metals, particular1.y
on cast iron, due to either chemical or bacteriological
agency. In industrial
areas, corrosive
action may arise from industrial wastes that have been
dumped on the site. Chemical analysis of samples of ground water or soil
( or sometimes both ) should be done to assess the necessity of speciai
precautions.
The following are settle of suggested methods:
a) Dense cement concerete M20 mix or richer may be used to reduce
permeability
and increase resistance
tc attack from sulphates ( see
I : 456-1978 ).
*code
of
6. METHODS
OF SITE EXPLORATION
methods
a) Trial pits,
b) Boring, and
c) Headings.
The details of these methods are given in IS : 1892-1979f.
7. DEPTH OF FOUNDATION
7.1 The depth to which foundations should be carried depends upon the
following principal factors:
The securing of adequate allowable bearing capacity.
In the case of clayey soils, penetration below the zone where shriakage and swelling due to seasonal weather changes, and due to trees
and shrubs are likely to cause appreciable movements.
In fine sands and silts, penetration
may b9 expected from frost.
-____-
rs:l!xM-1986
AT DIFFERENT
LEVELS
IS:1904-1986
under the footing having sides which make an angle of 30 with the
horizontal
for soil and horizontal distance from the lower
edge of the footing to the sloping surface shall be at least 60 cm for
rock and 90 cm for soil ( see Fig. 1 ).
b> In the case of footings in granular soil, a line drawn between the
aj
the ground surface and in clay soils, this is associated with a decrease of
volume or ground shrinkage and the development of cracks. The shrinkage
of clay will be increased by drying effect produced by fast growing and
water seeking trees. The range of intluence depends on size and number
of trees and it increases during dry periods. In general, it is desirable that
there shall be a distance of at least g m between such trees. Railer
furnaces, kilns, underground
cables and refrigeration
installations,
installations and other artificial sources of heat may .also cause increased
volume changes of clay by drying out the ground beneath them, the drying
out can be to a substantial depth. Special precautions either in the form of
insulation or otherwise should be taken. In periods of wet weather, clay
soils swell and the cracks lend to close, the water deficiency developed in
the previous dry periods may be partially replenished and a subsurface
zone or zones deficient in water may persist for many years. Leakage
from water mains and underground sewers may also result in large volume
changes. Therefore, special care must be taken to prevent such leakages.
10. EFFECT
OF MASS MOVEMENTS
OF GROUND IN UNSTAB]LE
ARRAS
10.0 In certain areas mass movements of the ground are liable to occur
from causes independent of the loads applied by the foundations of
11
THESE SURFACES
SHOULD
NOT
INfERSECr
L SLOPE
OF JOINING
LINE NOT STEEPER
1HAN ONE VERTICAL
10 TWO HORIZONTAL
FIG. 2
LOWER
F 00TlN~
IS:1904
These include
structures.
and creep on clay slopes.
mining
subsidence,
landslips
on unstable
-1986
slopes
of
10.2.2 On Joping ground on clay soils, there is always a tendency for the
upper layers of soil to move downhill,
depending
on lype of soil, the
angle of slope, climatic conditions,
etc. In some cases, the uneven surface
of the slope on a virgin ground bill indicate
that the area is subject to
if used for foundation,
will obviously
small iand slips and, therefore,
necessitate special design consideration.
10.2.3 Where there may be creep of the surface layer of the soil, protection against creep may be obtained by following
special design considerations.
shall be on a horizontal
10.2.4 On sloping sites, spread foundations
At ail changes of levels, they shall be lapped at the
bearing and stepped.
steps for a distance at least equal to the thickness of the foundation
or
The steps sha!l not be of
twice the height of the step, whichever is greater.
greater height than the thickness of the foundation,
unless special precautions
are taken.
10.2.5 Cuttings, excavations or sloping ground
near and below foundation level may increase the possibility
of shear failure of the soil. The
foundation
shall be well beyond the zone of such shear failure.
10.2.6 If the probable failure surface intersects a retaining wall or other
revetment, the latter shall be made strong enough to resist any unbalanced
thrust.
In case of doubt, as to the suitabmty
of the natural slopes or
cuttings, the structure shall be kept well away from the top of the slopes,
or,the slopes shall be stabilized.
10.2.7 Cuttings
and excavations
adjoining
foundations
reduce stability
and increase the likelihood of differential
settlement.
Their effect should
be investigated not only when they exist but also when there is possibility
that they are made subsequently.
13
Is:
1904-1986
IS:l!304-1986
15.1.5 Live loads from the floors above as specified in IS : 875 ( Part 2 )1987* shall be taken in proportioning and designing the foundations.
15.16 Where wind or seismic load is less than 25 percent of that due to
dead and live loads, it may be neglected in design and first combination of
load shall be compared with the safe bearing load to satisfy allowable
bearing pressure.
15.1.7 Where wind or seismic load is more than 25 percent of that due
to dead and live loads, foundations may be so proportioned that the
pressure due to combination of load ( that is, dead + live -,-wind load )
does not exceed the safe bearing capacity by more than 25 percent. When
seismic forces are considered, the safe bearing capacity shall be increased as
specified in IS : 1893-1984t. In non-cohesive soils, analysis for liquefaction
: Loading standards
15
: Pati 2
IS:1904-1986
silts and clays the settlement
may continue
for a long period after the
construction
of structure.
Due allowance shall, therefore, need be made for
this slow consolidation
settlement.
In sand and gravels, the settlement is
likely to be complete to a great extent by the end of the construction
In strata of organic soils, settlement
may continue
almost
activities.
indefiniteiy.
For the safety of foundations,
the engineer-in-charge
should
be well familiar
with all causes of settlement.
Foundations
may settle
due to some combination
of the following reasons:
a) Elastic
compression
of the foundation
material
soil;
b) Consolidation
including
secondary
compression;
of expansive
clays;
leading
to shrinking
surface
erosion,
subsidence
and
Non-uniform
pressure
-Wdue
to non-uniform
distribution
from foundation
to the soil
loading
and incomplete
loading
of the
foundations;
Cl Varying
site;
IS : 1904 - 1986
d) Over stressing of soil at adjacent
next to light ones;
e) Overlap
of stress distribution
site
by heavy
structures
built
structures;
Foundation
c) Determine
value
service load
A
the area for all other COlUmnS by the use of qd, that is,
Bearing area = SerViCe load iqd
d) For calculation
of settlement
-1976 * may be referred.
16.3.3 The total settlement
permissible.
of foundations,
of the foundations
shall
IS : 8009 (Part
be not
more
1)
than
foundations
IS:1904-1986
16.3.4 The permissible value of settlement for different types of structures
are given in Table 1.
16.3.5 Differential settlement and/or tilt ( angular distortion ) of the
structures shall not be more than the permissible values. The diflerential
settlement shall be obtained by taking the difference maximum and minimum
settlement. Tilt shall be calculated by dividing the differential settlement by
the distance between points of related maximum and minimum settlement.
AND SLIDING
17.1 The stability of the foundation against sliding and overturning shall
be checked, and the factors of safety shall conform to the following
requirements.
17.1.1 Sliding - The factor of safety against sliding of structures which
resist lateral forces (such as retaining walls) shall be not less than 1a5 when
dead load, live load and earth pressures are considered together with wind
load or seismic forces. When dead load, live load and earth pressure only
are considered, the factor of safety shall be not less than l-75.
Nore - For structuresfounded on soils with low frictional coefficient ( that is,
slippery material ), safety against sliding may be improved by providing anchor type
cut-off walls or piles to fake the excess load over that resisted by friction or an
inclined underside of the base.
against
13.2 Overturning - The factor of safety for shallow foundation
overturning shall be not less than 1.5 when dead load, live load and earth
pressures are considered together with wind load or seismic forces. When
dead load, live load and earth pressures only are considered, the factor
of safety shall be not less than 2. The tactor of safety of other types of
foundation is covered in relevant Indian Standard ( see 3).
,
18. BEARING
CAPACITY
l8.1 The sale bearing capacity for shallow foundation shall be calcuiated
in accordance with IS . 6403-1981t. The method of computation of sa?c
bearing capacity for other types of foundations has been specified in the
*code Of practice for calculation of foundations: Part 2 Deep
subjected to symmetrical static vertical loading.
tCode of practice fo: determination of bearing capacity cf shallow
{first revirron ).
foundations
foundations
mured
No.
mm
(2)
(3)
(1)
50
i) For steel structure
50
ii) For reinforced concrete Wuctums
iii) For multistoreyed
buildings
a) RC or steelframed 60
buildings with
panel walls
bj IGr~oad bearing
1) L/H = 2+
FOUNDATION8
*
60
mm
mm
RAFT FOUNDATIONS
--.-I
Plastic Clay
&
mm
mm.
mm
(4)
(5)
(6)
50
+033L l/300
:0015L 11666 75
(7)
(8)
*0039L l/300
*0015L l/666
.UO2L l/u)0
75
g02L
*02L
60
l/So00
l/500
mm
(9)
75
75
75
(7)
(Y)
+033L l/300
*0021L i/500
oW25L
l/400
mm
( 12 )
(Y)
(13
9033L
M2L
l/3&
l/500
12s 09033L
l/300
log
loo
Wo2L l/So00
tj
..
y
P
I
CI
#
OF EXCAVATION
of excavation
during
20
construction
of timbering
and
Is:1904-1986
IS : 1904- 1986
( Conf huedfrom page 2 )
Miscellaneous
Foundation
Convener
SiiRI S. GUHA
Subcommittee,
BDC 43 : 6
Representing
Calcutta Port Trust, Calcutta
Members
SHRI K.K. AGARWAL
LT-COL C. L. ASSUDANI
MAI T. K. GHOSH ( Alternote )
SHRJ S.P.CHAKRABARTI
SHRJP. K. DATTA ( Alrernate )
DIRECTOR
DIVISIONALENGINEERi SOILS)
( Abernafe )
EXECIJT~VFZ
ENGINEER( DESIGNS) V
EXECUTIVEENGINEER( DESIGNS)
( Alternate )
SHRI A. GHOSH
Ministry of Communication
Engineer-in-Chiefs Branch, Ministry
of
Defence
Madras
Research
Institute
( CSIR ).
Simla
House,
SKRJ P. G. RAMKRJSHNAN
SHRJ A. G. DATAR ( Alternate )
SHRJ 0. S. SRIVASTAVA
SHRI SWAMI SARAN
Engineering
Madras
Construction
Corporation
Ltd.
Convener
SHRJ S. GUHA
Members
SHRI S. C. BOSE
SHRI K. K. A~ARWAL
Pile
Foundations
Construction
Calcutta
Ministry .of Communication
22
( I )
Pvt
Ltd,
BUREAU
OF
INDIAN
STA_NDARDS
ShahZatar
Mar&
t 331 01 31,331 13 76
R~gion8l
Ol/lcor
*Woetorn
fEaetorn
36 24 99
Southern
I C I. 1. Campus, MADRAS
41 24 42
Northern
8rwrch
Otflc#s
600113
2 13 43
3 16 41
2 63 48
1 2 6348
330001
22 43 06
Squaw
Road, f. T. Nagar,
667 16
lndustrlal
Estate, PATNA
6 tI8 32
21 68 76
800013
8 28 06
7 66 37
6 36 27
-.
23 10 33
6 32 92 96
Pumhpak Nurmohamed
AHMADABAD
( East ),
( lndla ) Bullding,
2 51 71
1332 Shlvajl Nagar,
Road,
lo
prfnc.,
8 24 36
89 55 s5
575555