Application of geo-engineering

knowledge in designing

Shallow Foundations -2
Ultimate bearing capacity of:
- eccentrically loaded footing
- Special cases

ENB371: Geotechnical Engineering 2

Chaminda
Chapter 3 & 4

BRAJA M. DAS
 Content
Eccentrically loaded foundations
- Foundations with one-way eccentricity
- Foundations with two-way eccentricity

Special cases
- Rigid layer at shallow depth
- Foundation on Layered soils
- Foundations near slope
- Foundations on a slope
- Foundations on rock
 Eccentric Footings
Definition:
Eccentric footing results from the condition that the normal load
(normal to footing) is applied off the centre of the footing. This means
the footing will be subjected to bending moment.

Examples:
(1) The base of retaining wall : moment in addition to vertical load
(2) Base of the column with lateral load or bending moment
 Simple Bending Theory

M
=
B

I Y

LB 3
I=
t 12

B
M ( )
MY 6M
= = 3
2 =
I LB LB 2
12
 Stress under eccentrically loaded footing
Q 6M
qmax = +
BL B 2 L

Q 6M
qmin =
BL B 2 L

Since, M = eQ
Q 6e
qmax = 1 +
BL B
Q 6e
qmin = 1
B BL B
if e > qmin is negative
6
Tension will develop. Since soil can not take any tension, there will be a
separation between the foundation and the soil underlying it
4Q
Then, the value of qmax qmax =
3 L ( B 2e )
 Ultimate bearing capacity of foundation under
eccentric loading
Step -1 (One-way eccentricity)
The effective dimensions of the foundation (B & L)
- B = B-2e & L = L
OR
- L = L-2e & B = B
The smaller of the two dimensions (B & L) is the effective width of the foundation

Step -2
Use Meyerhof bearing capacity equation

q 'u = c' N c Fcs Fcd Fci + qN q Fqs Fqd Fqi + 0.5B' N Fs Fd Fi

To evaluate shape factors ( Fcs , Fqc , F ) use effective width and effective length
(B & L) instead of B & L
To evaluate depth factors ( Fcd , Fqd , F ) use B & L (not effective dimensions)

For water table correction use B (not B)

 Ultimate bearing capacity under eccentric loading
(One-way eccentricity) (cont)

Step -3
The total ultimate load the foundation can sustain
Qult = q'u ( B' )( L' )
Step -4
Factor of safety against bearing capacity failure

Qult
FS =
Q
Step -5
Check the factor of safety against qmax, or
q 'u
FS =
qmax
 Example -1
A square foundation is shown in the following figure. Assume that the one-
way eccentricity e = 0.15 m. Determine the ultimate load, Qult

q 'u = c' N c Fcs Fcd Fci + qN q Fqs Fqd Fqi + 0.5B ' N Fs Fd Fi
Since, c = 0
q 'u = qN q Fqs Fqd Fqi + 0.5B ' N Fs Fd Fi
 Example -1
Meyerhof Bearing Capacity Theory Bearing capacity factors

0 ' tan '

N q = tan 45 + e
2 N c = (N q 1)cot ' N = 2(N q + 1) tan '
2
 Example -1
'= 300 Bearing capacity factors (from table), N q = 18.40, N = 22.40

q = D f = 18 0.7 = 12.6 kN / m3

Effective width B = B-2e = 1.50 (2*0.15) = 1.20 m

Effective length L = L = 1.50 m

Shape factors (use B and L)

B' 1.2
Fqs = 1 + tan ' = 1 + tan 30 = 1.462
0

L' 1 .5
B' 1.2
Fs = 1 0.4 = 1 0.4 = 0.68
L' 1.5
 Example -1
Depth factors (use B )
Df 0.7
= 1
B 1. 5

Df 0 .7
Fqd = 1 + 2 tan ' (1 sin ) 2 = 1 + 2 tan 30 0 (1 sin 300 ) 2 = 1.135
B 1 . 5
Fd = 1

Inclination factors Fqi = Fi = 1 (no load inclination)

q 'u = qN q Fqs Fqd Fqi + 0.5B' N Fs Fd Fi

q 'u = (12.6 18.40 1.462 1.135 1) + (0.5 18 1.2 22.40 0.68 1 1)

= (384.71) + (164.51) = 549.22 kN / m 2

Qult = q 'u ( B' )( L' ) = 549.22 1.2 1.5 = 988.59 kN

 Foundation with two-way eccentricity
Mx

Q My

y y

eB =
Mx

Q eL
x x
L

L
Q My

B B
 Foundation with two-way eccentricity
Ultimate bearing capacity
Use Meyerhof bearing capacity equation

q 'u = c' N c Fcs Fcd Fci + qN q Fqs Fqd Fqi + 0.5B' N Fs Fd Fi

B' = effective width
' = effective length
L'=

A' = effective area = B' L'

Qult = q 'u A'

Qult
FS =
Q
 Foundation with two-way eccentricity
Ultimate bearing capacity
Use Meyerhof bearing capacity equation

q 'u = c' N c Fcs Fcd Fci + qN q Fqs Fqd Fqi + 0.5B' N Fs Fd Fi

To evaluate shape factors ( Fcs , Fqc , F ) use effective width and effective length
(B & L) instead of B & L

To evaluate depth factors ( Fcd , Fqd , F ) use B & L (not effective dimensions)

For water table correction use B (not B)

In determining the effective area A, effective width B, and effective length L,
five possible cases may arise

Case I : eL / L 1 / 6 and eB / B 1 / 6
Case II : eL / L > 1 / 6 and eB / B < 1 / 6
Case III : eL / L < 1 / 6 and eB / B > 1 / 6
Case IV : eL / L < 1 / 6 and eB / B < 1 / 6
Case V : Circular foundation
 Foundation with two-way eccentricity
eL 1 eB 1
Case I : and
L 6 B 6 1
A' = B1 L1
2

3eB
B1 = B1.5
B

3eL
L1 = L1.5
L

The effective length L is larger of the two dimensions B1 and L1

A'
Therefore, B' =
L'
 Foundation with two-way eccentricity
eL 1 e 1
Case II : > and 0 < B <
L 6 B 6

1
A' = ( L1 + L2 ) B
2
L1 and L2 can be determined from the figure

The effective length L is:

L' = L1 or L2 (whichever is larger)

Therefore,

A'
B' =
L'
Foundation with two-way eccentricity

L2/L
L1/L
 Foundation with two-way eccentricity
eL 1 eB 1
Case III : 0 < < and >
L 6 B 6

1
A' = ( B1 + B2 ) L
2
B1 and B2 can be determined from the figure

The effective length L is:

L' = L

Therefore,

A'
B' =
L
 Foundation with two-way eccentricity
eL 1 eB 1
Case IV : < and <
L 6 B 6

A' = L2 B + (B + B2 )(L L2 )
1
2
B2 and L2 can be determined from the figure

The effective length L is:

L' = L

Therefore,

A'
B' =
L
 Foundation with two-way eccentricity
Case V : Circular foundation
In the case of circular foundations under eccentric
loading, the eccentricity is always one-way

The effective area A and the effective width B for a circular foundation are given
in nondimensional form in the following table

The effective length L is:

A'
L' =
B'
 Example-2
A square foundation is shown in the following figure with eL=0.3 and eB=0.15
m. Asssume two-way eccentricity and determine the ultimate load

=0.15 m
 Example-2
eL 0.3
= = 0.2
L 1.5 eL 1 eB 1
Case II : > and <
L 6 B 6
eB 0.15
= = 0.1
B 1.5

From the chart

L1
0.85; L1 = (0.85) 1.5 = 1.275 m
L

L2
0.21; L2 = (0.21) 1.5 = 0.315 m
L

Effective area
1
A' = ( L1 + L2 ) B
2
= (1.275 + 0.315)1.5 = 1.193 m 2
1
2
 Example-2
Effective length, L Effective width, B
L' = L1 or L2 (whichever is larger)
A' 1.193
B' = = = 0.936 m
L' 1.275
L' = L1 = 1.275

Use Meyerhof bearing capacity equation

q 'u = c' N c Fcs Fcd Fci + qN q Fqs Fqd Fqi + 0.5B ' N Fs Fd Fi
For c = 0

q 'u = qN q Fqs Fqd Fqi + 0.5B ' N Fs Fd Fi

= 18 kN / m3

q = D f = 18 0.7 = 12.6 kN / m 2
 Example -2
Meyerhof Bearing Capacity Theory Bearing capacity factors

0 ' tan '

N q = tan 45 + e
2 N c = (N q 1)cot ' N = 2(N q + 1) tan '
2

For = 300; from table

N q = 18.40

N = 22.40
 Example -2
Effective width B = 0.936 m
Effective length L = 1.275 m

Shape factors (use B and L)

B' 0.936
Fqs = 1 + tan ' = 1 + tan 30 0
= 1.424
L' 1.275

B' 0.936
Fs = 1 0.4 = 1 0.4 = 0.706
L' 1.275
 Example -2
Depth factors (use B )
Df 0.7
= 1
B 1. 5

Df 0 .7
Fqd = 1 + 2 tan ' (1 sin ) 2 = 1 + 2 tan 30 0 (1 sin 300 ) 2 = 1.135
B 1 . 5
Fd = 1

Inclination factors Fqi = Fi = 1 (no load inclination)

q 'u = qN q Fqs Fqd Fqi + 0.5B' N Fs Fd Fi

q'u = (12.6 18.40 1.424 1.135 1) + (0.5 18 0.936 22.40 0.706 1 1)

= (374.71) + (133.22) = 507.93 kN / m 2

Qult = q'u ( B' )( L' ) = 507.93 0.936 1.275 = 606.16 kN

 Special cases
The bearing capacity equations presented in Shallow Foundation -1
involve cases in which the soil supporting foundation is homogeneous,
horizontal and extends to considerable depth. However, in practice, some
of the following cases can be encountered

Rigid layer at shallow depth

Foundation on layered soils
Foundation near slope
Foundation on a slope
Foundations on rock
Foundation Supported by a soil with a Rigid base at shallow
depth
General shear failure of a shallow, rough continuous foundation
supported by a soil that extends to a greater depth is shown below

Neglecting depth factors, ultimate

bearing capacity is given by
qu = c' N c + qN q + 0.5BN
N c , N q , N Bearing capacity factors

The extent of the

failure zone in soil, D,
at ultimate load is
obtained in the
derivation of Nc and
Nq (Prandtl (1921)).
 Foundation Supported by a soil with a Rigid base at shallow
depth
If a rigid, rough base is located at a depth of H (H<D) below the bottom
of foundation, full development of the failure surface in soil will be
restricted

The ultimate bearing capacity of a rough continuous foundation with a rigid,

rough base located at a shallow depth can be given by

q = D f
qu = c' N + qN + 0.5BN
*
c
*
q
*
= unit weight of soil

N c* , N q* , N * Modified bearing capacity factors, vary with H/B and soil friction angle '
and given in charts
Foundation Supported by a soil with a Rigid base at shallow
depth (Cont..)
* *
N c N q

qu = c' N c* + qN q* + 0.5BN *
Foundation Supported by a soil with a Rigid base at shallow
depth (Cont..)

*
N

qu = c' N c* + qN q* + 0.5BN *
 Foundation Supported by a soil with a Rigid base at shallow
depth (Cont..)
Neglecting depth factors, The ultimate bearing capacity of a rough circular and
rectangular, square foundations on a sand layer (c = 0) with a rigid, rough
base located at a shallow depth can be given as

qu = qN F + 0.5BN F
*
q
*
qs
* *
s
Fqs* , F*s Modified bearing capacity factors

B
F 1 m1
*
qs
L
B
Fs 1 m2
*

L
m1 and m2 are functions of H / B and '
and given in the charts
 Foundation Supported by a soil with a Rigid base at shallow
depth (Cont..)
Neglecting depth factors, The ultimate bearing capacity of a rough continuous
and square foundations on saturated clay ( = 0) with a rigid, rough base
located at a shallow depth can be given as

qu = cu N + q *
c

cu undrainedshearstrength
q = Df
B/H N c*
Square Continuous
2 5.43 5.24
3 5.93 5.71
4 6.44 6.22
5 6.94 6.68
6 7.43 7.20
8 8.43 8.17
10 9.43 9.05
 Example -1
Consider square foundation 1 m x 1 m in plan located at a depth of 1 m in
saturated clay layer underlain by a layer of rock. Undrained shear strength
and unit weight of clay are 72 kN/m2 and 18 kN/m3. The distance between
the bottom of foundation and the rock layer is 0.25 m. Estimate the gross
allowable bearing capacity of the foundation. Use FS = 3.

= 0, from chart, D / B = 0.7 B/H N c*

B = 1 m, D = 0.7 m Square Continuou
H = 0.25 m, H < D s
2 5.43 5.24
qu = cu N + q *
c 3 5.93 5.71
4 6.44 6.22
B / H = 1/ 0.25 = 4, from table Nc* = 6.44
5 6.94 6.68
cu = 72 kN/m 2
6 7.43 7.20
q = Df = 171 = 17kN / m 2
8 8.43 8.17
qu = cu N c* + q = 72 6.44 + 17 = 481.6 kN / m 2 10 9.43 9.05
qu qu 481.6
FS = qall = = = 160.5 kN / m 2
qall FS 3
 Bearing capacity of layered soils: Stronger soil underlain by
weaker soil
Failure modes of continuous foundation supported by a layered soil

If the depth H is relatively small compared with B If the depth H is relatively large compared with B
- Punching shear failure in the top soil layer - The failure surface is completely located in the
- General shear failure in the bottom soil layer top soil layer
 Bearing capacity of layered soils: Stronger soil underlain by
weaker soil (Cont) continuous foundation
Bearing capacity (qu) : punching shear + general shear failure (Meyerhof
& Hanna (1978)
2c ' a H 2D f K s tan 1 '
qu = qb + + 1 H 2 1 + 1H
B H B

qb is bearing capacity of bottom soil layer

qb = c'2 N c ( 2 ) + 1 ( D f + H ) N q ( 2 ) + 0.5 2 BN ( 2 )
N c ( 2) , N q ( 2) , N ( 2) are Terzaghi bearing capacity factors for bottom layer

ca is adhesion
Ks is punching shear coefficient
q
K s = f 2 , '1
q1
q1 and q2 are ultimate bearing capacities of continuous foundation of width B under vertical load on the
surfaces of homogeneous thick beds of upper and lover soil

q1 = c'1 N c (1) + 0.5 1 BN (1) N c (1) , N (1) = bearing capacity factors for friction angle '1

q2 = c'2 N c ( 2 ) + 0.5 2 BN ( 2 ) N c ( 2) , N ( 2) = bearing capacity factors for friction angle '2

 Bearing capacity of layered soils: Stronger soil underlain by
weaker soil (Cont) - continuous foundation
Bearing capacity (qu) : punching shear + general shear failure (Meyerhof
& Hanna (1978)

Punching shear coefficient adhesion

Ks
ca
 Bearing capacity of layered soils: Stronger soil underlain by
weaker soil (Cont) - continuous foundation
Bearing capacity (qu) :general shear failure located stronger upper soil
layer(Meyerhof & Hanna (1978)
2c'a H 2D f K s tan 1 '
qu = qb + + 1 H 2 1 + 1H
B H B

qu qt
qt is bearing capacity of top soil layer

qt = c'1 N c ( 2 ) + 1 D f N q (1) + 0.5 1 BN (1)

N c (1) , N q (1) , N (1) are Terzaghi bearing capacity factors for top layer
 Example -2
The base of a 2 m wide continuous foundation is located at a depth of 1.2
m in sand. 1.5 m below the base of the foundation, a clay layer is located.
Top sand layer : 1 = 17.5 kN / m 3 '1 = 400 c'1 = 0
Bottom clay layer : 2 = 16.5 kN / m 3 '2 = 0 c'2 = 30 kN / m 2

Determine the gross ultimate load per unit length of the foundation
 Example -2 (solution)
B = 2 m and H = 1.5 m, therefore H is relatively smaller compared with B (punching
+ general shear failure can be considered)

2c ' a H 2
2D f K s tan 1 '
qu = qb + + 1 H 1 + 1H
B H B

q1 = c'1 N c (1) + 0.5 1 BN (1)

q2 = c'2 N c ( 2 ) + 0.5 2 BN ( 2 )

'1 = 400 N c (1) = 75.31, N (1) = 109.41

1 = 17.5 kN / m 3 '1 = 400 c'1 = 0 '2 = 0 N c (1) = 5.14, N (1) = 0

2 = 16.5 kN / m 3 '2 = 0 c'2 = 30 kN / m 2

q2 30 5.14
= = 0.081
q1 0.5 17.5 2 109.41
q2
= 0.081, '1 = 400 from chart K s = 2.5 and
q1

c'a = 0 since c'1 = 0

 Bearing capacity of layered soils: Stronger soil underlain by
weaker soil (Cont) - continuous foundation
Bearing capacity (qu) : punching shear + general shear failure (Meyerhof
& Hanna (1978)

Punching shear coefficient adhesion

Ks
ca
Bearing capacity factors
 Example -2 (solution)

qb = c'2 N c ( 2 ) + 1 ( D f + H ) N q ( 2 ) + 0.5 2 BN ( 2 )

2 = 16.5 kN / m 3 '2 = 0 c'2 = 30 kN / m 2

'2 = 0 N c (1) = 5.14, N q = 1, N (1) = 0

qb = c'2 N c ( 2 ) + 1 ( D f + H ) N q ( 2) = (30 5.14) + (17.5 (2 + 1.5) 1) = 215.45 kN / m 2

2c'a H 2D f K s tan 1 '

qu = qb + + 1 H 2 1 + 1H
B H B

2 1.2 2.5 tan 40

qu = (215.45) + (0) + 17.5 2 2 1 + 17.5 2 = 371.35 kN / m
2

1.5 2

Qgross ( all ) = qu B = 742.70 kN / m 2

 Bearing capacity of foundations on top of slope

In some instances, shallow foundations need to be constructed on top of

a slope

H = the height of the slope

= angle of the slope with the horizontal
b = distance to the edge of the foundation from the top of the slope
Bearing capacity of foundation on top of a slope (cont..)

Meyerhof (1957) developed the following relationship for the untimate

bearing capacity of continuous foundations on top of a slope

qu = c ' N cq + 0.5BN q
Bearing capacity of foundation on top of a slope (cont..)
For purely cohesive, = 0, thus

qu = cN cq
c = undrained shear strength

H
Stability number, N s =
c

If B<H, use the curves for Ns=0

If , B H use the curves for

calculated Ns
 Example -3
For a shallow continuous foundation in a clay, the following data are given:

B = 1.2 m
D f = 1.2 m
b = 0.8 m
H = 6.2 m
= 300
= 17.5 kN / m 3
'= 0
c = 50 kN / m 2

Determine the gross allowable bearing capacity with a factor

of safety, FS = 4.
 Example -3 (solution)

Since = 0, qu = cN cq
Since B<H N s (stability number) = 0

Df 1.2
= =1 N cq = 6.3
B 1.2
b 0.8
= = 0.67
B 1.2
= 300

qu = cN cq = 50 6.3 = 315 kN / m 2

qu 315
qall = = = 78.8 kN / m 2
4 4
 Bearing capacity of foundations on a slope
In some instances, shallow foundations need to be constructed on top of
a slope

H = the height of the slope

= angle of the slope with the horizontal
D f = Depth of the foundation
Bearing capacity of foundations on a slope (cont..)
Meyerhof (1957) developed the following relationship for the untimate
bearing capacity of continuous foundations on the face of a slope

For purely cohesive, = 0, thus

qu = cN cqs

H
Ns =
c
Bearing capacity of foundations on a slope (cont..)
Meyerhof (1957) developed the following relationship for the untimate
bearing capacity of continuous foundations on the face of a slope

For purely granular soil, c = 0, thus

qu = 0.5BN qs
 Foundation on Rock
On some occasions, shallow foundations may have to be built on
rocks as shown in the following figure. Terzaghis bearing capacity
equation can be used to estimate the ultimate bearing capacity of the
foundation on rock with the following bearing capacity factors

qu = c ' N c + qN q + 0.5BN Strip foundation

qu = 1.3c' N c + qN q + 0.4BN Square foundation

qu = 1.3c' N c + qN q + 0.3BN Circular foundation

Bearing capacity factors

' '

N c = 5 tan 4 45 +
N q = tan 6 45 + N = N q + 1
2 2

To account for discontinuities , Bowels (1996)

suggested modification to qu as follows:

qu ( modified) = qu (RQD ) 2

lb = pound = 4.45 N
kip = kilo pound = 4.45 kN
RQD = rock quality designation
Foundation on Rock -Example
Foundation on Rock -Example
More special cases: Chapter 4

BRAJA M. DAS