Effect of Shape of Footing and Water

Table on Bearing Capacity of Soil

M. S. Dixit
Research Scholar, Department of Civil Engineering, Government College
of Engineering, Aurangabad (Maharashtra State), India, 431 005
e-mail address: manishsdixit@gmail.com

K. A. Patil
Associate Pprofessor, Department of Civil Engineering, Government
College of Engineering, Aurangabad (Maharashtra State), India, 431 005.
e-mail address: kapatil67@gmail.com

ABSTRACT
Soil is a universally available natural material derived mostly from rocks and rocky minerals.
As soil is a product of nature, possess an inherently variable and complex character. The
bearing capacity is the most important soil property, which governs the design of foundation.
Soft clay strata are often unable to bear the load transferred from the superstructure to the
foundation. Bearing capacity and the settlement are the two important parameters in the field
of geotechnical engineering. Civil engineering projects such as buildings, bridges, dams and
roadways require detailed subsurface information as part of the design process. Bearing
capacity is affected by various factors like change in level of water table, eccentric loads,
inclined loads, dimensions of the footings, etc.
The effect of water table on bearing capacity of soil determined by Terzaghis method and IS
Code method for rectangular footings are considered.

KEYWORDS:

Bearing capacity, Depth, water table, soil.

INTRODUCTION
Soil is considered by the engineer as a complex material produced by weathering of the solid
rock. Soil is the most important material, which is in use for construction of civil engineering
structures. Amongst all parameters, the bearing capacity of soil to support the load coming over
its unit area is very important. There are various methods for calculation of bearing capacity of
soil put forth by scientists like Prandtl, Terzaghi, Meyerhoff, Hansen, Vesic and others. Principal
factors that influence ultimate bearing capacities are type of soil, width of foundation, soil weight
in shear zone and surcharge. Structural rigidity and the contact stress distribution do not greatly
influence bearing capacity. Bearing capacity analysis assumes a uniform contact pressure
between the foundation and underlying soil.
With other factors unchanged the type of failure of soil, depth of foundation, and effect of
water table also governs the bearing capacity of soil. Soil is the most important factor in the
construction world, in which the property of bearing loads coming upon has to be suitable. This
property is the most significant one as the stability of the structure mostly depends on it.

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Due to increase in population and industrialization, there is increase in construction activities

in the cities and industrial area. Hence, it has become necessary to carry out construction
activities on marshy land, low lying area, expansive soil having swelling and shrinkage
characteristics, water logged areas etc. Safe bearing capacity values are assumed depending upon
type of soil encountered at proposed depth of foundation.
In addition to properties of soil, width of foundation, depth of foundation, water table
variation near the base of the footing, eccentricity of loading governs the ultimate and safe
bearing capacity of soil. With all these factors into consideration the study was undertaken i.e.
Effect of different parameters on bearing capacity of soil. Thus, based on investigations carried
out, it will be possible to decide optimum depth of foundation for proposed structure, from
economy and practical considerations.

LITERATURE REVIEW
Terzaghi was the first to propose a bearing capacity equation on the consideration of general
shear failure in the soil below a rough strip footing. Using the principle of superposition, he
demonstrated the effects of soil cohesion, its angle of internal friction, surcharge (soil lying above
the level of footing base), soil unit weight and footing width on the ultimate bearing pressure.
Later on, Brinch Hansen introduced factor that accounted for footing shape and load inclination,
in the bearing capacity equation.
K. Manjunath and A.S. Reddy studied the effect of depth and water table on bearing capacity
of rectangular footing. They found that as depth of foundation increases, bearing capacity
increases. They found that there is increase in dry density and decrease in optimum moisture
content. They also studied the effect of depth of footing using geotextile reinforcement.
Javad Hajiani and Nader Hataf carried out experimental and numerical investigation of the
bearing capacity of model circular footing on reinforced sand. They investigated the bearing
capacity of circular and ring footings on reinforced sand by conducting laboratory model tests
along with numerical analysis. The effects of the depth of the first layer of reinforcement, vertical
spacing and number of reinforcement layers on bearing capacity of the footings were investigated

BEARING CAPACITY BASED ON LABORATORY TESTS

Laboratory Tests
The soil used in the study is collected from Shahnoorwadi, Aurangabad City of the proposed
Mega, Nano Mall and Multiplex. The soils samples are collected at a depth of 3 m, 5m, and 6m.
The aim of this work is to study the effect of different parameters on bearing capacity of the soil.
The details of soil samples collected is shown in table 1

Table 1: Details of Soil Samples Collected

Symbol

Description of soil

Depth of foundation in metre

Soil-I

Black cotton soil

3.0

Soil-II

Kunkar soil

5.0

Soil-III

Soft murum

6.0

Experimental work was planned to study the properties of soils collected for determination of
ultimate bearing capacity of the soil. For the soils the basic properties such as specific gravity

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were determined, sieve analysis was carried out and consistency limit i.e. liquid limit and plastic
limits were determined for classification of the soil.
Standard Proctor test and direct shear tests were conducted to determine maximum dry
density, optimum moisture content, cohesion and angle of internal friction ( ). The test results of
soils tested for these properties are as shown in table 2.

Table 2: Geotechnical Properties of Soil

Depth in meter
Sr. No.

Properties of Soil Samples

3.0

5.0

6.0

Grain size distribution

Gravel size (4.75 mm to 80.00 mm) in %
Sand size (0.075 mm to 4.75 mm) in %
Silt and clay size (below 0.075 mm) in %

---11.40
88.60

7.90
34.10
58.00

21.20
75.20
3.60

Consistency limits
Liquid limit %
Plastic limit %
Plasticity index %

69.50
34.50
35.0

56.50
27.50
29.0

--Non plastic

3.

Specific gravity

2.70

2.74

2.80

4.

Compaction characteristics
Maximum dry density in gm/cm3
Optimum moisture content %

1.62
22.60

1.74
18.60

1.84
11.60

Shear parameters
Cohesion in kN/m2
Angle of internal friction ()

22.56
19.5

16.25
25.0

2.45
35

1.

2.

5.

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Photograph 1: Sample of black cotton soil collected from Shahanoorwadi, Aurangabad

at 3m depth

Photograph 2: Sample of Kunkar soil collected from Shahanoorwadi, Aurangabad

at 5m depth

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Photograph 3: Sample of murum collected from Shahanoorwadi, Aurangabad

at 6m depth
Based on the laboratory test results and as per bureau of Indian standards the soil is classified
as CH i.e. clayey soil with high compressibility. Soil III is classified as gravelly soil i.e. coarsegrained soil, containing majority of soil particles greater than gravel size.

EXPERIMENTAL ANALYSIS
Based on the laboratory experimentation carried out the values of , c and are obtained.
These parameters are important to determine ultimate and safe bearing capacity of soil. Based on
this data, effect of shape of footing, effect of depth of footing, effect of water table on bearing
capacity of soil is studied and is discussed in following paragraphs.

Effect of Shape of Footing on Bearing Capacity

The shape of footing is an important parameter, which governs the ultimate bearing capacity
of the soil. In general strip, square, rectangular and circular shaped footings are used. For soil-I by
keeping other parameters constant, the effect of shape of footing on ultimate bearing capacity of
soil is studied. The values of ultimate bearing capacity for soil-I is determined by methods given
by Terzaghi and Bureau of Indian Standard. These values are tabulated in Table 3

Table 3: Effect of shape of footing on ultimate bearing capacity of Soil-I

for local shear failure
Method of
analysis

Shape of footing
Strip

Square

Rectangular

Circular

Terzaghi

367.37

417.95

399.64

415.38

I S code

346.63

370.13

364.62

366.82

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In Table 3 it is found that, in case of local shear failure and by following Terzaghis analysis
the ultimate bearing capacity determined is highest for square shaped footing and least for strip
footing. The square and circular shaped footings have fairly same values of ultimate bearing
capacity. In case of IS code method, the ultimate bearing capacity determined is highest for
square shaped footing and least one for strip footing. This effect of shape of footing on ultimate
bearing capacity determined by methods given by Terzaghi and Bureau of Indian Standard is
different for different footings, due to combined effect of values of shape factors and different
values of bearing capacity factors. If comparison is made between ultimate bearing capacity
determined by Terzaghis method in case of local shear failure for soil-I for strip footing it is
found to be 5.98% higher than that obtained by IS code method. Similarly for square shaped
footing, rectangular shaped footing and circular shaped footing the ultimate bearing capacity
values determined by Terzaghis method are found to be higher than that obtained by IS code
method by 12.91%, 9.60% and 13.23% respectively.
Soil-II is a c - soil, having cohesion equal to 16.25 kN/m2 and an angle of internal friction
equal to 25o. For soil II by keeping other parameters constant, the effect of shape of footing on
ultimate bearing capacity of soil is studied. The values of ultimate bearing capacity for soil-II are
determined by methods given by Terzaghi and Bureau of Indian Standard. These values are
tabulated in Table 4.

Table 4: Effect of Shape of Footing on Ultimate Bearing Capacity of Soil-II

for Local Shear Failure
Method of
analysis

Shape of footing
Strip

Square

Rectangular

Circular

Terzaghi

665.02

708.74

691.91

703.38

I S code

598.52

624.82

655.31

617.81

In Table 4 it is found that, in case of local shear failure and by following Terzaghis analysis
the ultimate bearing capacity determined is highest for square shaped footing and least for strip
footing.. In case of IS code method, the ultimate bearing capacity determined is highest for
rectangular shaped footing and least one for strip footing. This effect of shape of footing on
ultimate bearing capacity determined by methods given by Terzaghi and Bureau of Indian
Standard is different for different footings, due to combined effect of values of shape factors and
different values of bearing capacity factors. If comparison is made between ultimate bearing
capacity determined by Terzaghis method in case of local shear failure for soil-II for strip
footing it is found to be 12.8% higher than that obtained by IS code method. Similarly for square
shaped footing, rectangular shaped footing and circular shaped footing the ultimate bearing
capacity values determined by Terzaghis method are found to be higher than IS code method by
13.4%, 5.55% and 13.8% respectively.
Soil-III is a non-cohesive soil hence the type of failure possible is general shear failure. For
non-cohesive soils the value of cohesion is less and hence neglected. Most of time, this cohesion
is apparent cohesion. For soil-III by using Tezaghi and IS code method, the values of ultimate
bearing capacities are determined. These values obtained are tabulated in table 5. The values
tabulated in table are in kN/m2.

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Table 5: Effect of Shape of Footing on Ultimate Bearing Capacity of Soil-III for General
Shear Failure case
Method of
analysis

Shape of footing
Strip

Square

Rectangular

Circular

Terzaghi

1455.73

1437.5

1437.5

1419.27

I S code

1270.71

1484.85

1400.10

1464.85

In Table 5 it is found that, in case of Terzaghis analysis the value of ultimate bearing
capacity is lowest for circular footing and maximum for strip footing. This is due to combined
effect of cohesion equal to zero and effect of shape factors while calculating the ultimate bearing
capacity of the soil. Whereas in case of IS code method, the ultimate bearing capacity is
maximum for square footing and minimum for strip footing. If comparison is made for strip
footing the ultimate bearing capacity is maximum i.e. 1455.73 kN/m2 by Terzaghis method and
1270.71 kN/m2 by IS code method. In case of square footing the ultimate bearing capacity is
maximum i.e. 1484.85kN/m2 by IS code method and 1437.50 kN/m2 by Terzaghis method. In
case of rectangular footing the ultimate bearing capacity is maximum i.e. 1437.50 kN/m2 by
Terzaghis method and 1400.10 kN/m2 by IS code method. In case of circular shaped footing the
ultimate bearing capacity is found to be 1419.27 kN/m2 by Terzaghis method and 1464.85 kN/m2
by IS code method. Thus, it is found that for soil-III for strip shaped footing the value of ultimate
bearing capacity obtained by Terzaghis method is found to be 14.5% higher than that obtained
by IS code method of analysis. For square shaped footing the value of ultimate bearing capacity
obtained by Terzaghis method is found to be 0.780% lower than that obtained by IS code method
of analysis. For rectangular shaped footing the value of ultimate bearing capacity obtained by
Terzaghis method is found to be 2.67% higher than that obtained by IS code method of analysis.
For circular shaped footing the value of ultimate bearing capacity obtained by Terzaghis method
is found to be lower than that obtained by IS code method of analysis.

Effect of depth of footing on bearing capacity

The depth of footing is important parameters, which governs the ultimate bearing capacity of
the soil. Ultimate bearing capacity is determined by using equation given by IS 6403 1981. The
shape of footing taken is rectangular footing with length =1.5 m and width = 1m.The values of
ultimate bearing capacities determined by IS code method are as shown in table 6.

Table 6: Effect of Depth of Rectangular Footing on Ultimate Bearing Capacity

Type of soil
Black cotton soil
Kunkar soil
Soft murum

Depth of foundation
in meter
3
5
6

Ultimate bearing
capacity kN/m2
364.62
655.31
(44.35)
1400.10
(73.95)

Type of failure
Local shear failure
Local shear failure
General shear failure

In Table 6, the values in parenthesis indicate the percentage increase in ultimate bearing
capacity in comparison with 3 meter depth of foundation. Thus, for soil, having high
compressibility having good value of cohesion and lesser angle of internal friction the percentage
increase in ultimate bearing capacity in comparison with 3m depth, for depths of 5 m and 6m are
found to be 44.35%, and 73.95% respectively.

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Table 7: Effect of Depth of Rectangular Footing on Safe Bearing Capacity

Type of soil
Black cotton soil
Kunkar soil
Soft murum

Depth of foundation
in meter
3
5
6

Safe bearing
capacity kN/m2
153.32
275.30
(44.30)
538.9
(71.54)

Type of failure
Local shear failure
Local shear failure
General shear failure

In Table 7, the values in parenthesis indicate the percentage increase in safe bearing capacity
in comparison with 3 metre depth of foundation. Thus, for soil, having high compressibility
having good value of cohesion and lesser angle of internal friction the percentage increase in safe
bearing capacity in comparison with 3m depth, for depths of 5m, and 6m are found to be 44.30%,
and 71.54% respectively.

Effect of Water Table on Bearing Capacity

The change in moisture content of the soil affects the properties of the soil. Similarly, if
soil gets submerged its ability to support the load coming over its unit area is reduced when the
water table is above the base of the footing, the submerged weight is used for the soil below the
water table for computing the surcharge. The water table corrections are applied to determine the
ultimate bearing capacity of the soil. The values of safe bearing capacities determined by using
factor of safety of 3 by IS code method and Terzaghis method for rectangular footing.

Table 8: Effect of water table on safe bearing capacity of soil for rectangular footing by
IS code method
Type of soil

Black cotton soil

Kunkar soil
Soft murum

Safe bearing capacity in kN/m2

Without water
Water table reach Water table reach
table correction
upto the base of
upto the ground
the footing
level
281.03
242.86
142.93
(13.5)
(49.14)
274.83
263.23
158.67
(4.22)
(42.26)
538.91
454.49
266.31
(15.66)
(50.58)

Type of failure

Local shear
failure
Local shear
failure
General shear
failure

From table 8, it is found that for soil-I having value of equal to 19.5o, the percentage
decrease in safe bearing capacity of soil due to water table corrections is found to be 13.5% and
49.14%. For soil-II having value of equal to 25o the percentage decrease in safe bearing
capacity of soil due to water table corrections is found to be 4.22% and 42.26%. For soil-III
having value of equal to 35o the percentage decrease in safe bearing capacity of soil due to
water table corrections is found to be 15.66% and 50.58%. Thus, it can be concluded that the
effect of water table correction on safe bearing capacity is predominant for non-cohesive soil.
Safe bearing capacity of non-cohesive soil is reduced to about 50 % when water table may reach
up to ground level.

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Table 9: Effect of Water Table on Safe Bearing capacity of Soils for Rectangular Footing by
Terzaghis Method
Type of soil

Black cotton soil

Kunkar soil
Soft murum

Safe bearing capacity in kN/m2

Without water
Water table reach Water table reach
table correction
upto the base of
upto the ground
the footing
level
180.19
162.58
119.44
(9.7)
(33.7)
286.86
283.22
172.24
(1.3)
(39.9)
551.36
467.10
272.54
(15.30)
(50.56)

Type of failure

Local shear
failure
Local shear
failure
General shear
failure

From table 9, it is found that for soil-I having value of equal to 19.5o, the percentage
decrease in safe bearing capacity of soil due to water table corrections is found to be 9.7% and
33.7%. For soil-II having value of equal to 25o the percentage decrease in safe bearing capacity
of soil due to water table corrections is found to be 1.3% and 39.9%. For soil-III having value of
equal to 35o the percentage decrease in safe bearing capacity of soil due to water table
corrections is found to be 15.3% and 50.56%. Thus, it can be concluded that the effect of water
table correction on safe bearing capacity of soil is predominant for non-cohesive soil. Safe
bearing capacity of non-cohesive soil is reduced to about 50% when water table may reach up to
ground level.

Geological Aspects
The site of the proposed Mega, Nano Mall and Multiplex at Shahanoorwadi, Aurangabad lies
on basic volcanic rocks of upper cretaceous to lower Eocene (about 120 m.y. before to 60 m.y.
before) age these are well known as Deccan trap basalts. There are two main rock types in deccan
trap basalts and they are compact basalt and amygdaloidal basalts. The site is present on the
confluence and in between two westerly flowing nalas. The area is practically a plain area except
negligible slope towards west.
There are practically no exposures of rock due to the presence of thick overburden of
weathered products of local rocks. All the weathering products are residual and no transported
deposits. Excavation rectangular in shape and about 6m deep has been made at this site. The
observations of the vertical cuts of this excavation revealed the existence of geological succession
of this area. It is seen that the upper layer is black cotton soil. It is underlain by a layer of kunkar
soil, below kunkar a layer of murum is present and at the bottom of the excavation weathered
basalt is present. The thickness of black cotton soil varies from place to place. The average
thickness of black cotton soil layer is about 2.5m to 3.0m. At some places it is upto 3.2 m. The
thickness of kunkar soils is from 1.5 to 1.8m and of soft murum 0.5 to 1.0m.
The rock present at the bottom of the excavation is weathered compact basalt. It is
blackish grey in color and aphanitic in nature. It is practically free from gas cavities cooling joints
are seen in the exposures of the rock and are three sets of broadly spaced joints.
Black cotton soil which is the weathering product of basalts under hot and dry climate
has a strength about 100 to 150 kN/m2 when it is dry.
In presence of water it changes its properties and becomes semi plastic to plastic and also
losses its strength upto 90%. It does allow water to pass through it till gets saturated water. In
presence of moisture it expands and in absence of moisture it contracts. As a result vertical
tensional cracks are developed in black cotton soil. Due to all these reasons, it is undesired
formation in the foundation excavation of civil engineering structure.

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During the weathering of basalt lime (Caco3) is formed from plagioclase present in basalt.
This lime is sometimes brought to upper level by the subsurface water by capillary action on
evaporation of the water, the lime is deposited in the upper part of the layer in the form of
practicles or in the form of nodules. It is called as Kunkar. The soil containing kunkar is called
as kunkar soil. The color of kunkar soil is dirty white. The soil present below the layer of black
cotton soil is low grade soil without any cohesion amongst its particles. It allows to pass the water
very quickly and also losses its strength in presence of moisture. However due to the presence of
kunkar the cohesion between the particles increases and even vertical cuts in such layer stand
stable.
Due to weathering of basalt, first murum is formed and finally soil. In the intermediate stage
of formation murum horizontal sheet joining is introduced and layer become highly porous and
permeable, it holds ground water.
Since the site is in between and on the confluence of two nalas the topographical situation is
favorable for the presence of sub surface water. In addition to this for the reasons mentioned
earlier, the ground water potential of this area is good. It is also revealed in this excavation and
there is leakage of ample ground water is this excavation.

Photograph 4: Layers of soil samples at Shahanoorwadi, Aurangabad

(Maharashtra state)

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Photograph 5: Layers of soil samples at Shahanoorwadi, Aurangabad

(Maharashtra state)

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Photograph 6: Layers of soil samples at Shahanoorwadi, Aurangabad

(Maharashtra state)

CONCLUSIONS
Based on the studies carried out following conclusions are drawn:
1.

The important parameters, which govern the bearing capacities of soils are: cohesion, unit
weight of soil, depth of proposed foundation, width of foundation and angle of internal
friction.

2.

In case of local shear failure, the values of ultimate bearing capacity determined for
circular and square shaped footings are found to be higher than strip and rectangular
footings. This trend is different for non-cohesive soil.

3.

As depth of foundation increases ultimate bearing capacity of soil increases. The effect of
increase in depth on safe bearing capacity is predominant due to increase in surcharge
weight.

4.

In case of soil III which is gravelly soil i.e. coarser soil having negligible cohesion and
angle of internal friction the percentage increased in ultimate bearing capacity in

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comparison with 3m depth for depths of 5m, 6m are found to be 44.30 % and 71.54%
respectively.
5.

For cohesive and frictional soil leading to local shear failure, the effect of water table
correction on safe bearing capacity is less in comparison with non-cohesive soil.

6.

The effect of water table correction on safe bearing capacity is predominant for noncohesive soil. Safe bearing capacity of non-cohesive soil is reduced to about 50 % when
water table may reach up to ground level.

REFERENCES
1. Hansen Brinch. (1961) A General Formula For Bearing Capacity, Danish Geotechnical
Institute, Bulletin No. 11, Copenhagen, Denmark, 38-46.
2. Ingra, S.T. and Baecher G. B. (1983) Uncertainty in bearing capacity of sand, Journal
Geotech Engg, ASCE, 109(7), 899-914.
3. Javad Hajiani, and Nader Hatef (2003) Experimental and Numerical Investigation of the
Bearing Capacity of Model Circular and Ring Footings on Reinforced Sand, Geotextile
and Geomembranes, 241-256.
4. Manjunath, K. A. S. Reddy (1997) Influence of Depth and Water Table on Bearing
Capacity of Rectangular Footing, Soil and Foundations Vol.35, No.1, Japanese
Geotechnical Society, 53-64.
5. More, D. M., Pathade, N.K., and Kulkarni, A. A. (2006) Bearing Capacity by plate load
test, National Conference on Corrective Engineering Practices in Trouble some Soils,
Kakinada, 95-96.
6. Nayak, N. V. (2001) Foundation Design Manual, Dhanpat Rai Publications Private
Limited, New Delhi.
7. Purushothama Raj, P. (2008) Soil Mechanics & Foundation Engineering, Pearson
Education, New Delhi.
8. Sridharan, A. and Srinivasmurthy, B.R. (1988) Shape and Size of Effect of Foundation on
Bearing Capacity of Reinforced Soil Beds, Proceedings of Indian Geotechnical
Conference, Allahabad, 205-210.
9. Terzaghi, K. (1943) Theoretical Soil Mechanics, Wiley, New York, USA
10. Temel Yetimoglu, Jonathan, T. H. Ahmet Saglamer, (1994) Bearing Capacity of
Rectangular Footings on Geogrid-Reinforced Sand, Journal of Geotechnical
Engineering. Vol.120. No.12. 2083-2099.

2013, EJGE