Bearing capacity problems

P3.1 Proportion the dimensions (B x L) for the footing shown in the figure below. Given that
the undrained shear strength q u = 75 kPa, clay =18 kN/m3, and conc. = 24 kN/m3 (Use
Hansens equation, S.F. = 3.0).
600 kN

300 kN-m
G.S.

0.6m
0.3m Rectangular footing
B
L

P3.2 For the wall footing shown in the figure below, calculate the factor of safety against the
bearing capacity failure for the following cases (using Meyerhof's equation):
a- The load is vertical, and if
b- The load is inclined at 15 to the vertical. Center line

e = 0.25m

1.0m 0.5m 0.5m

1.5m 25 , c = 40 kN/m2
= 18 KN/m3
2m sat = 20 KN/m3
1.5m
W.T.

P3.3 For the circular oil tank shown in the figure beside, find 0.5m
the minimum diameter of footing if F.S. = 2.5 and
oil 8 kN/m3, soil 14.4 kN/m3, concrete 24 0.5m

kN/m3 , and Vfooting 0.1...Vtan k ? 12m

10m

G.S. B =?

Silty sand c = 40 kN/m2, 15

Bearing Capacity of Shallow Foundations Assist.Prof. / Dr.RafMahmoud Sulaiman

P3.4 An offshore concrete oil tank of B = 6m, L = 10m and H = 9m is as shown in the figure
below. Find:-
1. F.S. against bearing capacity,
2. F.S. against sliding ( 2 / 3 ),
3. F.S. against floating, and
4. F.S. against overturning.
Notes:
Neglecte the active and passive sides forces,
Use Meyerhof's equation. 300 kN/m
Take oil 8 kN/m3, and concrete 24 kN/m3.
6m
500 kN

2.0m
6m
0.4m
2.5m Water Water
Oil
6m G.S.
1.0m
6m
Sand 30 , soil 18 kN/m3

P3.5 For the tank shown in the figure below, if F.S. = 2.0, weight of tank (empty) = 500 kN,
and weight of tank (full) = 10000 kN, check the adequacy of footing (against bearing
capacity and sliding failures).

500 kN
2.5m

0.5m
3m

G.S. G.S.

0.75m 0.75m
2m

2m 2m 3m
6m Sand
30 , = 18 kN/m3

2
Bearing Capacity of Shallow Foundations Assist.Prof. / Dr.RafMahmoud Sulaiman

P3.6 For the cabling tower shown in the figure below, if the weight of tower = 2000 kN,
moment due to wind load = 8000 kN-m, minimum factor of safety = 2.0, check the
adequacy of the proposed four spread footings each of (4m x 4m x 1m) dimensions
(against bearing capacity failure and uplift).

Wind load
6m x
45

4mx4mx1m
6m G.S.
W.T.
Sand
3m
30 , = 18 kN/m3 1m
G s 2 .7
4mx4mx1m

P3.7 A raft foundation of 15m diameter is placed at 2.5m below the ground surface in clay soil
with sat. 20 kN/m3, Gs 2.65 as shown in the figure below. The raft supports a tower
of 40 MN weight and wind load moment of 20 MN-m. Find the thickness of footing if
S.F.=2.5.

G.S.

2.5m W.T.
C = 120 kN/m2
Raft: 15m diameter

30m Clay
sat. 20 kN/m3, G s 2.65

Sand C = 300 kN/m2

3
Bearing Capacity of Shallow Foundations Assist.Prof. / Dr.RafMahmoud Sulaiman

Footings on layered soils problems

P3.8 A (3m x 6m) rectangular footing is to be placed on a two-layered clay deposits as shown
in the figure below. Compute the F.S. against the bearing capacity failure and check
whether the soil may squeeze beneath the footing or not.

Total load = 900 kN

G.S. 3m x 6m 0.6m

1.2m Clay q u = 192 kPa, = 0

2.4m Clay q u = 576 kPa, = 0

Rock RQD = 50%, q u = 3000 kPa

P3.9 A (1.5m x 2.0m) rectangular footing is to be placed on c soils shown in the figure
below. Check its adequacy against shear failure (assume F.S.= 3.0, and =10 kN/m3 )
using Vesics equation. P

Soil Soil Soil G.S.

Parameter
(I) (II) (III) 1.2m
Soil (1)
1.5m x 2.0m W.T.
Gs 2.70 2.65 2.75
e 0.8 0.9 0.85 Soil (2) 1.5m
c (kPa) 10 60 80
35 30 0
Soil (3)

Footings on slope Problems

P3.10 A (1.2m x 1.2m) square footing is to be placed near a slope of c soil. If 15 ,

Df 0.9m, c = 50 kN/m2, 33 , 17.3 kN/m3, and the ground water table is
located at a great depth, find the maximum allowable load that the footing can carry
using:
(a) Meyerhof's method, and Qall. ?
(b) Hansen's method.
0.9m G.S.

3.6m Df 0.9m
1.2m x 1.2m
15
c = 50 kN/m2, 33 , 17.3 kN/m3

4
Bearing Capacity of Shallow Foundations Assist.Prof. / Dr.RafMahmoud Sulaiman

P3.11 A (3m x 6m) rectangular combined footing that supports two columns each of (0.4m x
0.4m) is to be constructed near a slope as shown in the figure below. Find F.S. against
bearing capacity failure.

Note: Since (L) direction of 6m

foundation is in the
0.4m x 0.4m
same direction of
3m
slope, check the F.S.
in (B) direction also.
4.8m 1m
1000 kN 2000 kN

4.5m G.S.

3m W.T.
6m
20 Sand 30 , sat. 18 kN/m3, G s 2.65

P3.12 For the cabling tower near a slope shown in the figure below. if the weight of tower =
6000 kN, moment due to wind load = 10000 kN-m, and minimum factor of safety = 2.0,
check the S.F. of (4m x 4m x 1m) spread footings against bearing capacity failure.

Wind load
5m x
45

4mx4mx1m
5m 3m W.T.
G.S.

3m 1m
4mx4mx1m 4mx4mx1m
20
Sand 30 , = 18 kN/m3, G s 2.7

5
Bearing Capacity of Shallow Foundations Assist.Prof. / Dr.RafMahmoud Sulaiman

Footings on rocks Problems

P3.13 The unweathered quartzite below excavation level for a multistory building has an RQD
of 30% for the upper 1.5m and 70% for the next 6m. A load of 1500 tons is delivered to
the rock through a square reinforced concrete pedestal. What would be the size of the
pedestal to restrict the settlement to about 12.7mm?

1500 Tons

B=?

1.5m RQD =30%

6.0m RQD =70%