What is the principle of settlement calculation in

the STAAD Foundation?

OfflineTan Y.J.over 3 years ago

I recently verified the foundation design for a MAT by using MAT type in STAAD Foundation
Advanced. I want to know what is the principle of settlement calculation in the STAAD Foundation?

The ‘Subgrade Modulus’ is calculated by qa*I/δ, where can I find the safety factor I in the US code.

Thanks!

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Offline DSANJU over 3 years ago

The modulus of subgrade reaction and its probabilistic characteristics can be determined directly by
field test. As an alternative to the determination of the modulus of subgrade reaction, regular soil
properties may be used (Gagin & Ivanilov, 2008). In 1955, Karl Terzaghi (Liao, 1995) published a
classic paper titled ‘Evaluation of coefficients of subgrade reaction’, in which he presented
recommendations for estimating the spring constants which have come to be commonly used to
model the foundation subgrade in the analysis of mat foundations and other similar problems . One
of the most popular models in determining the modulus of subgrade reaction is Winkler model. In
this model the subgrade soil assumes to behave like infinite number of linear elastic springs that the
stiffness of the spring is named as the modulus of subgrade reaction. This modulus is dependent to
some parameters like soil type, size, shape, depth and type of foundation and etc. The direct method
to estimate the modulus of subgrade reaction is plate load test that it is done with 30-100 cm
diameter circular plate or equivalent rectangular plate (Reza & Janbaz, 2008).
Even, you can calculate soil subgrade modulus for soil load deformation data as per IS:9214 code (
as per Indian Standard) with proper corrections. However, J E Bowles ("Foundation Analysis and
Design" by Joseph Bowles, McGraw Hill) has attempted to give a relationship which is :

k = 40 x SF x qa,

where, SF is factor of safety considered in bearing pressure calculation and qa is allowable soil
bearing capacity .
So, you could employ the above equation in determining the Soil Subgrade Modulus

Now, coming to your point- the program is giving you an approximate way to calculate soil subgrade
modulus using the formula which correlates SBC with Soil Subgrade modulus. In any project we can
allow the soil to settle up to a limit- this is elastic settlement or instantaneous settlement. The
allowable settlement is entirely based on the project that you are doing. You can allow higher
settlement in case of a bridge structure but can't allow the same for a building. The allowable
settlement is to be decided for a project. Generally, a factor of safety 1 to 3 is allowed. But, the soil
subgrade modulus that you get has to be co-related from other source like the field experiment.