Geotechnical and Foundation Engineering (CON4342)

Settlement of Foundation

(ELE)

Learning Outcome

Determine immediate and consolidate settlements under foundation loads.

Lesson Content

Immediate settlement and consolidation settlement

Sections
1. Settlement of Shallow Foundation
2. Immediate settlement
3. Consolidation settlement

Reference: Das, B. M. (2007). Principles of Foundation Engineering. 7th Edition. Cengage Learning.

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Geotechnical and Foundation Engineering (CON4342)

1.

Settlement of Shallow Foundations

Definition of Foundations

foundations are the connections between a structure and the ground that supports it.

It is the part of an engineered system which transmits to, and into, the underlying soil or
rock the loads supported by the foundation and its self weight.
Foundation settlement can be classified into:
Immediate (or elastic) settlement (Se): it takes place during or immediately after
construction.
Consolidation settlement (So): It occurs over time. Pore water is extruded from the
void spaces of saturated clayey soils.

Total settlement = Immediate settlement + Consolidation settlement

Consolidation settlement comprises two phases:

Primary consolidation settlement is that part of settlement or volume change which can
be accounted for by the theory of consolidation. It associates with the dissipation of
excess pore water pressure. It is more significant than secondary consolidation settlement
in inorganic clays and silty clay soils.

Secondary consolidation settlement occurs after completion of primary consolidation. It

is caused by slippage and reorientation of soil particles under sustained load. It is more
significant in organic soils.

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Geotechnical and Foundation Engineering (CON4342)

Learning Activity 1 (exercise)

Learning Outcome : Appreciate the settlement of foundation.
Discussion

Distinguish between elastic (immediate) settlement and consolidation settlement.

Describe primary and secondary consolidation settlement.

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2. Immediate Settlement

Flexible Foundations

Figure 1
Figure 1 shows a shallow foundation subjected to a net pressure of q0. Theoretically, if the
foundation depth, Df = 0, thickness of the foundation soil is infinite, and the foundation is
perfectly flexible, then the immediate settlement may be expressed as

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Geotechnical and Foundation Engineering (CON4342)

Where

Se

Bqo
(1 s2 )
Es
2

(corner of the flexible foundation)

Se

Bqo
(1 s2 )
Es

(centre of the flexible foundation)

1 m 2 1
1 1 m 2 m

ln
m ln
1 m 2 1
1 m 2 m

m = L/B
B = width of foundation
L = Length of foundation
s= Posissons ratio
Es= Modulus of elasticity
The values of for various length-to-width (L/B) ratios are shown in Figure
Refer to B.M. Das (2006) pg. Fig
Values of , av, r verse L/B

Figure 2 (Das, B.M. )

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Geotechnical and Foundation Engineering (CON4342)

The average immediate settlement for a flexible foundation also may be expressed as

Se

Bqo
(1 s2 ) av (average of the flexible foundation)
Es

Figure 2 shows the values of for various L/B ratios of foundation.

Rigid Foundations

However, if the foundation is rigid, the immediate settlement will be different and may be
expressed as

Se

Bqo
(1 s2 ) r
Es

(rigid foundation)

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Geotechnical and Foundation Engineering (CON4342)

Learning Activity 2 (example)

A foundation 1m x 2m in (B=1m; L = 2m) plan is shown in figure below. Estimate the immediate
settlement of sand under the foundation.

Properties of Clay
Normally consolidated clay
= 16 kN/m3
Er = 6,000 kN/m2
r = 0.5
eo = 0.8
Cs = 0.32
Cr = 0.09

Se

Bqo
(1 s2 ) r
Es

(rigid foundation)

Hence, qo = 150 kN/m2, Es = 10,000 kN/m2, s = 0.3, and r ~ 1.2 (from chart)
Se

1x150
(1 0.32s )1.2 = 0.0163m
10000

= 16.3 mm

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Geotechnical and Foundation Engineering (CON4342)

3. Immediate Settlement of Foundations on Saturated Clay

To evaluate the average settlement of flexible foundations on saturated clay soils under
undrained conditions (Poissons ratio o =0.5), the following equation together with
Figure 3 can be used.

Se A1 A2

qo B
Es

Where A1 is a function of H/B and L/B and A2 is a function of Df/B.

Refer to B.M. Das (2006) page 114,

Fig 3.17

Values of A1 and A2 for immediate settlement

calculations for foundation on saturated clay

Figure 3 (Das, B.M.)

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Geotechnical and Foundation Engineering (CON4342)

Learning Activity 3a (exercise)

A foundation 4 m x 2 m, carrying a uniform pressure of 150 kN/m2, is located at a depth

of 1 m in a layer of saturated clay 5 m thick for which the value of Eu is 40 MN/m2. A
hard stratum lies below. Determine the average immediate settlement under the
foundation. (4.2 mm)

Learning Activity 3b

A foundation 4 m x 2 m, carrying a uniform pressure of 150 kN/m2, is located at a depth

of 1 m in a layer of saturated clay 13 m thick for which the value of Eu is 75 MN/m2. A
hard stratum lies below. Determine the average immediate settlement under the
foundation. (3.2 mm)

Learning Activity 3c

A foundation 4 m x 2 m, carrying a uniform pressure of 150 kN/m2, is located at a depth

of 1 m in a layer of saturated clay 5 m thick for which the value of Eu is 40 MN/m2.
The layer is underlain by a second clay layer 8 m thick for which the value of Eu is 75
MN/m2. A hard stratum lies below the second layer. Determine the average immediate
settlement under the foundation. (4.2 +3.2 2.3)

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Geotechnical and Foundation Engineering (CON4342)

Find A2 using figure 3

Df = 1
B =2
Df/B = = 0.5 A2 = 0.95
Find A1 using figure 3
For Layer I
L/B = 4/2 = 2
Layer I : H = 4
H/B = 4/2 = 2

A1 = 0.61

S = A1 A2 qo B/E
= 0.61 x 0.95 x 150 x 2 /40000
= .0043 m
For Layer II : apply the concept of overlay
L/B = 4/2 = 2
Overlay 1 of Layer II : H = 12 m
H/B = 12/2 = 6 A1 = 0.85 (figure 3)
S1 = A1 A2 qo B/E
= 0.85 x 0.95 x 150 x 2 /75000 = 0.0032 m
Minus Overlay 2 of Layer II : H = 4 m
H/B = 4/2 = 2 A1 = 0.61 (figure 3)
S1 = A1 A2 qo B/E
= 0.61 x 0.95 x 150 x 2 /75000 = 0.0023 m
Total settlement of Layer II = 0.0032 0.0023 = 0.0009 m
Total settlement of Layers I and II = 0.0043 + 0.0009 = 0.0052 m

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Geotechnical and Foundation Engineering (CON4342)

3. Consolidation Settlement

(a) For normally consolidated clays

S

Cc H c
p pav
log o
1 eo
po

Figure 4 a

(b) For overconsolidated clays with po + pav <= pc

Case (1)
S

H c Cs
p pav
log o
1 eo
po

(c) For oversolidated clays with po < pc < po + pav

Case (2)
S

Cs H c
p
H C
p pav
log c c c log o
1 eo
po 1 eo
pc

Figure 4 b

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Geotechnical and Foundation Engineering (CON4342)

Where

foundation

po
pav
pc
eo
Cc
Cs
Hc

= average effective pressure on the clay before the construction of the

foundation
= average increase of pressure on the clay layer caused by the
construction
= preconsoildation pressure
=initial void ratio of the clay layer
= compression index
= swelling index
= thickness of clay layer

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Geotechnical and Foundation Engineering (CON4342)

Learning Activity 4 (example)
A foundation 1m x 2m in plan is shown in figure below. Estimate the total settlement of the
foundation.

Properties of Clay
Normally consolidated clay
3
= 16 kN/m
Er = 6,000 kN/m2
r = 0.5
eo = 0.8
Cs = 0.32
Cr = 0.09

Immediate Settlement

Se

Bqo
(1 s2 ) r
Es

(rigid foundation)

Hence, qo = 150 kN/m2, Es = 10,000 kN/m2, s = 0.3, and r ~ 1.2 (from chart)
Se

1x150
(1 0.32s )1.2 = 0.0163m
10000

= 16.3 mm

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Geotechnical and Foundation Engineering (CON4342)

Consolidation Settlement
The clay is normally consolidated, Thus

S
Po

Cc H c
p pav
log o
1 eo
po
= (2.5)(16.5) + (0.5) (17.5 9.81) + 1.25(16-9.81)
= 41.25 + 3.85 + 7.74 = 52.84 kN/m2

= qo BL/[(B+z) (L+z)]
= 150 x 1 x 2 /[(1 + 3.25) ( 2 + 3.25)]
= 13.4 kN/m2

Sc

= 0.32 x 2.5/(1+0.8) log [(52.84 + 13.4)/ 52.84]

= 0.044 m (44 mm)

Total settlement St

= Se + Sc
= 16.4 + 44
= 60.4 mm

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Geotechnical and Foundation Engineering (CON4342)

Learning Activity 5 (exercise)

A footing 8 m square, carrying a net pressure of 150 kN/m2 is located at a depth of 3 m in

a deposit of saturated clay 23 m thick. Bedrock lies immediately below the clay. From
oedometer tests on specimens of the clay the value of Cc was found to be 0.10.
Determine the consolidation settlement of the clay layer using Cc. The saturated unit
weight of the clay is 20 kN/m3. Ground water table is at ground surface.

(Note : the clay stratum can be divided into 5 layers in calculating consolidation
settlement. Each layer is 4 m thick. The method of 2:1 spread or influence factors can
be used to determine the effective stress increase at the mid-depth of each layer.)

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Geotechnical and Foundation Engineering (CON4342)

(Note : the clay stratum can be divided into 5 layers in calculating consolidation settlement. Each
layer is 4 m thick. The method of influence factors OR 2:1 spread method can be used to
determine the effective stress increase at the mid-depth of each layer.)

Using 2:1 spread

(Note : the clay stratum can be divided into 5 layers in calculating consolidation settlement. Each
layer is 4 m thick. The 2:1 method can be used to determine the effective stress increase at the
mid-depth of each layer.)

Find p using the 2:1 spread

Layer Z (centre of the clay
layer measured from
base of the
foundation)
1
2

p = p/Area
kN/m2

150x8x8

???

(8+2) (8+2)
2

10

14

18

9600
= ???
(8+6) (8+6)
9600
= ???
(8+10) (8+10)
9600
= ???
(8+14) (8+14)
9600
= ???
(8+18) (8+18)

Find po
Layer Z (centre of the clay
layer measured from
the original
ground)
1
3+2 = 5

po
kN/m2

3+6 = 9

9 x (20-9.8) = 91.8

3 + 10 = 13

13 x (20-9.8) = 132.6

3 + 14 = 17

17 x (20-9.8) = 173.4

3 + 18 = 21

21 x (20-9.8) = 214.2

Sc

5 x (20-9.8) = 51

Total consolidation
settlement
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p p
Cc H

log 0
1 e0
p 0

m
= 0.1 x 4/(1+0.53) log [( 51+???)/ 51]
= 0.??? m
= 0.1 x 4/(1+0.53) log [( 91.8+???)/
91.8]
= 0.??? m
= 0.1 x 4/(1+0.53) log [(132.6+???)/
132.6]
= 0.??? m
= 0.1 x 4/(1+0.53) log [(173.4+???)/
173.4]
= 0.??? m
= 0.1 x 4/(1+0.53) log [(214.2+???)/
214.2]
= 0.??? m
= 0.??? m

Geotechnical and Foundation Engineering (CON4342)

Learning Activity 6 (M.J. Smith ) (example)
A rigid foundation, circular in shape and 6 m diameter is supported on a bed of compact sand 5 m
deep. Below the sand is 1.6m of clay overlying impervious bedrock. Groundwater is 1.5 m below
the surface of the sand. The density of the sand above GWL is 1920 kg/m3, the saturated density of
the sand is 2080 kg/m3 and the saturated density of the clay is 1990 kg/m3.
A laboratory consoldiation test on an undisturbed sample of the clay, 20mm thick and drained top
and bottom, gave the following results:
Pressure (kN/m3) :
50
100
200
300
400
Void Ratio:
0.73
0.68
0.625
0.58
0.54
If the contact pressure at the underside of the foundation is 200 kN/m2
(a) Estimate the final average consolidation settlement of the foundation, assuming that load
spread may be taken as 1 horizontal to 2 vertical.
(b) If the consolidation test sample reached 90% consolidation in one hour 46 minutes, how
long will it take the foundation to reach 90% of its final settlement?

(32 mm , 5.2 year)

Plot void ratio vs pressure on a semi log paper.
po = 9.81/1000 [ 1.5 * 1920 + 3.5 * 2080 + 0.8 * 1990 4.3 * 1000]
= 73 kN/m2
Pf = 73 + 200 * ( 6 x 6/4) / [ 11.8 x 11.8/4]
= 124.7 kN/m2
Note : 11.8m is the spreading of the loading to the centre of the clay layer (H = 1.6m)

from the graph eo = 0.699 and ef = 0.665(M.J. Smith)

H = H (eo - ef )/(1+ eo) = 32mm
b) t = 16002/(20/2)2 * 106 minutes = 2713600minutes = 5.16 years

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Geotechnical and Foundation Engineering (CON4342)

4. Secondary Consolidation Settlement

From the results of laboratory tests and field observations Simon derived the following
equation for clays:

Coefficient of secondary consolidation (Ca) = 0.00018 * moisture content.

5. Reduction of total and differential settlements

Provision of a rigid raft foundation either with a thick slab or with deep beams in two or
three directions;
Provision of deep basements to reduce the net bearing pressure on the soil;
Transference of foundation loading to deeper and less compressible soil by means of
basements, piers, or piles;
Provision of jacking pockets, or brackets, in columns to relevel the superstructure;
Provision of additional loading on lightly loaded areas in the form of kentledge or
embankments.

References
Disclaimer- the author has tried his best to indicate all references but there is no
guarantee that all materials cited can be included.
Further References
1. Das, B. M. (2007). Principles of Foundation Engineering. 6th Edition. Cengage Learning.
2. Craig, R. F. (2004). Soil Mechanics. 7th Ed, E & FN Spon.
3. Capper, P.L., Cassie, W.F. and Geddes, J.D. (1980). Problems in Engineering Soil, E & FN
Spon.
4. Whitlow,R.(2000) Basic Soil Mechanics, 2nd Edition, Prentice Hall.
6. Barnes, G.E. (2000) Soil Mechanics Principles and Practices, MacMilan.
7. Berry, P.L. & Reid, D.(1987) An Introduction to Soil Mechanics, McGraw-Hill Book

Company

8. Budhu, M. (2000), Soil mechanics & Foundations, 2nd Ed., John Wiley & Sons
9. Smith G.N. (1990), Elements of Soil Mechanics, 6th Ed, BSP Professional Books.
10. Sutton, B.H.C (1993). Solving Problems in Soil Mechanics, 2nd Ed, Longman.
11. ELE International. Catalogue in Laboratory Testing.

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