NPTEL – ADVANCED FOUNDATION ENGINEERING-I

Module 3
Lecture 11
SHALLOW FOUNDATIONS: ULTIMATE BEARING
CAPACITY

Topics
1.1 BEARING CAPACITY OF LAYERED SOILS-STRONGER SOIL
UNDERLAIN BY WEAKER SOIL
 Special Cases

1.2 BEARING CAPACITY OF FOUNDATIONS ON TOP OF A SLOPE

1.3 SEISMIC BEARING CAPACITY AND SETTLEMENT IN GRANULAR SOIL

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BEARING CAPACITY OF LAYERED SOILS-STRONGER SOIL UNDERLAIN

BY WEAKER SOIL

The bearing capacity equations presented in the preceding sections involve cases in
which the soil supporting the foundation is homogeneous and extends to a considerable
depth. Cohesion, angle of friction, and unit weight of soil were assumed to remain
constant for the bearing capacity analysis. However, in practice, layered soil profiles are
often encountered. In such instances, the failure surface at ultimate load may extend
through two or more soil layers. Determination of ultimate bearing capacity in layered
soils can be made in only a limited number of cases. This section features the procedure
for estimating bearing capacity for layered soils proposed by Meyerhof and Hanna (1978)
and Meyerhof (1974).

Figure 3.20 shows a shallow continuous foundation supported by a stronger soil layer
underlain by a weaker soil, which extends to a great depth. For the two soil layers, the
physical parameters are as follows:

Layer Unit weight Soil friction angle Cohesion

Top 𝛾𝛾1 𝜙𝜙1 𝑐𝑐1

Bottom 𝛾𝛾2 𝜙𝜙2 𝑐𝑐2

At ultimate load per unit area (𝑞𝑞𝑢𝑢 ), the failure surface in soil will be as shown in figure
3.20. If the depth H is relatively small compared to the foundation width B, a punching
shear failure will occur in the top soil layer followed by a general shear failure in the
bottom soil layer. This is shown in figure 3.20a. However, if the depth H is relatively
layer, then the failure surface will be completely located in the top soil layer, which is the
upper limit for the ultimate bearing capacity. This is shown in figure 3.20b.

Figure 3.20 Bearing capacity of a continuous foundation on layered soil

 NPTEL – ADVANCED FOUNDATION ENGINEERING-I

The ultimate bearing capacity, 𝑞𝑞𝑢𝑢 , for this problem as shown in figure 3.20a can be given
as
2(𝐶𝐶𝑎𝑎 +𝑃𝑃𝑝𝑝 sin 𝛿𝛿)
𝑞𝑞𝑢𝑢 = 𝑞𝑞𝑏𝑏 + = 𝛾𝛾1 𝐻𝐻 [3.60]
𝐵𝐵

Where

𝐵𝐵 = width of the foundation

𝐶𝐶𝑎𝑎 = adhesive force

𝑃𝑃𝑝𝑝 = passive force per unit length of the faces 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎′ 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 bb′

𝑞𝑞𝑏𝑏 = bearing capacity of the bottom soil layer

𝛿𝛿 = inclination of the passive force 𝑃𝑃𝑝𝑝 with the horizontal

Note that, in equation (60),

𝐶𝐶𝑎𝑎 = 𝑐𝑐𝑎𝑎 𝐻𝐻 [3.61]

Where

𝑐𝑐𝑎𝑎 = adhesion

Equation (60) can be simplified to the form

2𝑐𝑐𝑎𝑎 𝐻𝐻 2𝐷𝐷𝑓𝑓 𝐾𝐾𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝 tan 𝛿𝛿
𝑞𝑞𝑢𝑢 = 𝑞𝑞𝑏𝑏 + + 𝛾𝛾1 𝐻𝐻 2 �1 + � − 𝛾𝛾1 𝐻𝐻 [3.62]
𝐵𝐵 𝐻𝐻 𝐵𝐵

Where

𝐾𝐾𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝 = horizontal component of passive earth pressure coefficient

However, let

𝐾𝐾𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝 tan 𝛿𝛿 = 𝐾𝐾𝑠𝑠 tan 𝜙𝜙1 [3.63]

Where

𝐾𝐾𝑠𝑠 = punching shear coefficient

So
2𝑐𝑐𝑎𝑎 𝐻𝐻 2𝐷𝐷𝑓𝑓 𝐾𝐾𝑠𝑠 tan 𝜙𝜙 1
𝑞𝑞𝑢𝑢 = 𝑞𝑞𝑏𝑏 + + 𝛾𝛾1 𝐻𝐻 2 �1 + � − 𝛾𝛾1 𝐻𝐻 [3.64]
𝐵𝐵 𝐻𝐻 𝐵𝐵

The punching shear coefficient, 𝐾𝐾𝑠𝑠 , is a function of 𝑞𝑞2 /𝑞𝑞1 and 𝜙𝜙1 , or
 NPTEL – ADVANCED FOUNDATION ENGINEERING-I

𝑞𝑞
𝐾𝐾𝑠𝑠 = 𝑓𝑓 �𝑞𝑞 2 , 𝜙𝜙1 �
1

Note that 𝑞𝑞1 and 𝑞𝑞2 are the ultimate bearing capacities of a continuous foundation of
width B under vertical load on the surfaces of homogeneous thick beds of upper and
lower soil, or

𝑞𝑞1 = 𝑐𝑐1 𝑁𝑁𝑐𝑐(1) + 12𝛾𝛾1 𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝛾𝛾(1) [3.65]

And

𝑞𝑞2 = 𝑐𝑐2 𝑁𝑁𝑐𝑐(2) + 12𝛾𝛾2 𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝛾𝛾(2) [3.66]

Where

𝑁𝑁𝑐𝑐(1) , 𝑁𝑁𝛾𝛾(1) = bearing capacity factors for friction angle 𝜙𝜙1 (table 4)

𝑁𝑁𝑐𝑐(2) , 𝑁𝑁𝛾𝛾(2) = bearing capacity factors for friction angle 𝜙𝜙2 (table 4)

It is important to note that, for the top layer to be a stronger soil, 𝑞𝑞2 /𝑞𝑞1 should be less
than one.

The variation of 𝐾𝐾𝑠𝑠 with 𝑞𝑞2 /𝑞𝑞1 and 𝜙𝜙1 is shown in figure 3.21. The variation of 𝑐𝑐𝑎𝑎 /𝑐𝑐1
with 𝑞𝑞2 /𝑞𝑞1 is shown in figure 3.22. If the height H is relatively large, then the failure
surface in soil will be completely located in the stronger upper-soil layer (figure 3. 20b).
For this case,

Figure 3.21 Meyerhof and Hanna’s punching shear coefficient, 𝐾𝐾𝑠𝑠

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Figure 3.22 Variation of 𝑐𝑐𝑎𝑎 /𝑐𝑐1 vs q 2 /q1 based on the theory of Meyerhof and Hanna
(1978)

𝑞𝑞𝑢𝑢 = 𝑞𝑞𝑡𝑡 = 𝑐𝑐1 𝑁𝑁𝑐𝑐(1) + 𝑞𝑞𝑁𝑁𝑞𝑞(1) + 12𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝛾𝛾(1) [3.67]

Where 𝑁𝑁𝑞𝑞(1) = beairng capacity factor for 𝜙𝜙 = 𝜙𝜙1 (table 4)and 𝑞𝑞 = 𝛾𝛾1 𝐷𝐷𝑓𝑓

Now, combining equations (64 and 67)

2𝑐𝑐𝑎𝑎 𝐻𝐻 2𝐷𝐷𝑓𝑓 𝐾𝐾𝑠𝑠 tan 𝜙𝜙 1
𝑞𝑞𝑢𝑢 = 𝑞𝑞𝑏𝑏 + + 𝛾𝛾1 𝐻𝐻 2 �1 + � − 𝛾𝛾1 𝐻𝐻 ≤ 𝑞𝑞𝑡𝑡 [3.68a]
𝐵𝐵 𝐻𝐻 𝐵𝐵

For rectangular foundations, the preceding equation can be extended to the form
𝐵𝐵 2𝑐𝑐𝑎𝑎 𝐻𝐻 𝐵𝐵 2𝐷𝐷𝑓𝑓 𝐾𝐾𝑠𝑠 tan 𝜙𝜙 1
𝑞𝑞𝑢𝑢 = 𝑞𝑞𝑏𝑏 + �1 + 𝐿𝐿 � � � + 𝛾𝛾1 𝐻𝐻 2 �1 + 𝐿𝐿 � �1 + � − 𝛾𝛾1 𝐻𝐻 ≤ 𝑞𝑞𝑡𝑡 [3.68b]
𝐵𝐵 𝐻𝐻 𝐵𝐵

Where
1
𝑞𝑞𝑏𝑏 = 𝑐𝑐2 𝑁𝑁𝑐𝑐(2) 𝐹𝐹𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐(2) + 𝛾𝛾1 �𝐷𝐷𝑓𝑓 + 𝐻𝐻�𝑁𝑁𝑞𝑞(2) 𝐹𝐹𝑞𝑞𝑞𝑞 (2) + 2 𝛾𝛾2 𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝛾𝛾(2) 𝐹𝐹𝛾𝛾𝛾𝛾 (2) [3.69]

1
𝑞𝑞𝑡𝑡 = 𝑐𝑐1 𝑁𝑁𝑐𝑐(1) 𝐹𝐹𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐(1) + 𝛾𝛾1 𝐷𝐷𝑓𝑓 𝑁𝑁𝑞𝑞(1) 𝐹𝐹𝑞𝑞𝑞𝑞(1) + 2 𝛾𝛾1 𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝛾𝛾(1) 𝐹𝐹𝛾𝛾𝛾𝛾(1) [3.70]

Where

𝐹𝐹𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐(1) , 𝐹𝐹𝑞𝑞𝑞𝑞(1) , 𝐹𝐹𝛾𝛾𝛾𝛾 (1) = shape factors with respect to top soil layer (table 5)

𝐹𝐹𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐(2) , 𝐹𝐹𝑞𝑞𝑞𝑞(2) , 𝐹𝐹𝛾𝛾𝛾𝛾 (2) = shape factors with respect to bottom soil layer (table 5)
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Special Cases

1. Top layer is strong sand and bottom layer is saturated soft clay (𝜙𝜙2 = 0). From
equations (68, 69, and 70),

𝐵𝐵
𝑞𝑞𝑏𝑏 = �1 + 0.2 𝐿𝐿 � 5.14𝑐𝑐2 + 𝛾𝛾1 �𝐷𝐷𝑓𝑓 + 𝐻𝐻� [3.71]
1
𝑞𝑞𝑡𝑡 = 𝛾𝛾1 𝐷𝐷𝑓𝑓 𝑁𝑁𝑞𝑞(1) 𝐹𝐹𝑞𝑞𝑞𝑞(1) + 2 𝛾𝛾1 𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝛾𝛾(1) 𝐹𝐹𝛾𝛾𝛾𝛾(1) [3.72]

Hence

𝐵𝐵 𝐵𝐵 2𝐷𝐷𝑓𝑓 𝐾𝐾𝑠𝑠 tan 𝜙𝜙 1

𝑞𝑞𝑢𝑢 = �1 + 0.2 𝐿𝐿 � 5.14𝑐𝑐2 + 𝛾𝛾1 𝐻𝐻 2 �1 + 𝐿𝐿 � �1 + � + 𝛾𝛾1 𝐷𝐷𝑓𝑓 ≤
𝐻𝐻 𝐵𝐵
1
𝛾𝛾1 𝐷𝐷𝑓𝑓 𝑁𝑁𝑞𝑞(1) 𝐹𝐹𝑞𝑞𝑞𝑞(1) + 2 𝛾𝛾1 𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝛾𝛾(1) 𝐹𝐹𝛾𝛾𝛾𝛾 (1) [73

For determination of 𝐾𝐾𝑠𝑠 from figure 3. 21,

𝑞𝑞 2 𝑐𝑐2 𝑁𝑁𝑐𝑐(2) 5.14𝑐𝑐2

=1 = 0.5𝛾𝛾 [3.74]
𝑞𝑞 1 𝛾𝛾1 𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵 𝛾𝛾 (1) 1 𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵 𝛾𝛾 (1)
2

2. Top layer is stronger sand and bottom layer is weaker sand (𝑐𝑐1 = 0, 𝑐𝑐2 = 0). The
ultimate bearing capacity can be gives as

1 𝐵𝐵
𝑞𝑞𝑢𝑢 = �𝛾𝛾1 (𝐷𝐷𝑓𝑓 + 𝐻𝐻)𝑁𝑁𝑞𝑞(2) 𝐹𝐹𝑞𝑞𝑞𝑞(2) + 2 𝛾𝛾2 𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝛾𝛾(2) 𝐹𝐹𝛾𝛾𝛾𝛾 (2) � + 𝛾𝛾1 𝐻𝐻 2 �1 + 𝐿𝐿 � �1 +
2𝐷𝐷𝑓𝑓 𝐾𝐾𝑠𝑠 tan 𝜙𝜙 1
� − 𝛾𝛾1 𝐻𝐻 ≤ 𝑞𝑞𝑡𝑡 [3.75]
𝐻𝐻 𝐵𝐵

Where
1
𝑞𝑞𝑡𝑡 = 𝛾𝛾1 𝐷𝐷𝑓𝑓 𝑁𝑁𝑞𝑞(1) 𝐹𝐹𝑞𝑞𝑞𝑞(1) + 2 𝛾𝛾1 𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝛾𝛾(1) 𝐹𝐹𝛾𝛾𝛾𝛾(1) [3.76]

1
𝑞𝑞 2 𝛾𝛾2 𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵 𝛾𝛾 (2) 𝛾𝛾2 𝑁𝑁𝛾𝛾 (2)
= 21 = 𝛾𝛾 [3.77]
𝑞𝑞 1 𝛾𝛾 𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵 𝛾𝛾 (1) 1 𝑁𝑁 𝛾𝛾 (1)
2 1

3. Top layer is stronger saturated clay (𝜙𝜙1 = 0) and bottom layer is weaker
saturated clay (𝜙𝜙2 = 0). The ultimate bearing capacity can be given as

𝐵𝐵 𝐵𝐵 2𝑐𝑐𝑎𝑎 𝐻𝐻
𝑞𝑞𝑢𝑢 = �1 + 0.2 𝐿𝐿 � 5.14𝑐𝑐2 + �1 + 𝐿𝐿 � � � + 𝛾𝛾1 𝐷𝐷𝑓𝑓 ≤ 𝑞𝑞𝑡𝑡 [3.78]
𝐵𝐵

𝐵𝐵
𝑞𝑞𝑡𝑡 = �1 + 0.2 𝐿𝐿 � 5.14𝑐𝑐1 + 𝛾𝛾1 𝐷𝐷𝑓𝑓 [3.79]

For this case

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𝑞𝑞 2 5.14𝑐𝑐2 𝑐𝑐
= = 𝑐𝑐2 [3.80]
𝑞𝑞 1 5.14𝑐𝑐1 1

Example 8

A foundation 1.5 m × 1 m is located at a depth, 𝐷𝐷𝑓𝑓 of 1 m in stronger clay. A softer clay

layer is located at a depth, H, of 1 m measured from the bottom of the foundation. For the
top clay layer.

Undrained shear strength= 120 kN/m2

Unit weight = 16.8 kN/m3

And for the bottom clay layer,

Undrained shear strength= 48 kN/m2

Unit weight = 16.2 kN/m3

Determine the gross allowable load for the foundation with an FS of 4.

Solution

For this problem, equations (78, 79 and 80) will apply, or

𝐵𝐵 𝐵𝐵 2𝑐𝑐𝑎𝑎 𝐻𝐻 𝐵𝐵
𝑞𝑞𝑢𝑢 = �1 + 0.2 𝐿𝐿 � 5.14𝑐𝑐2 + �1 + 𝐿𝐿 � � � + 𝛾𝛾1 𝐷𝐷𝑓𝑓 ≤ �1 + 0.2 𝐿𝐿 � 5.14𝑐𝑐1 + 𝛾𝛾1 𝐷𝐷𝑓𝑓
𝐵𝐵

Given:

𝐵𝐵 = 1 m 𝐻𝐻 = 1 m Df = 1 m

𝐿𝐿 = 1.5 m 𝛾𝛾1 = 16.8 kN/m3

From figure 3. 22, 𝑐𝑐2 /𝑐𝑐1 = 48/120 = 0.4, the value of 𝑐𝑐𝑎𝑎 /𝑐𝑐1 ≈ 0.9, so

𝑐𝑐𝑎𝑎 = (0.9)(120) = 108 kN/m2

1 1 (2)(108)(1)
𝑞𝑞𝑢𝑢 = �1 + (0.2) �1.5�� (5.14)(48) + �1 + 1.5� � � + (16.8)(1) = 279.6 +
1
360 + 16.8 = 656.4 kN/m2

Check: From equation (79),

1
𝑞𝑞𝑡𝑡 = �1 + (0.2) �1.5�� (5.14)(120) + (16.8)(1) = 699 + 16.8 = 715.8 kN/m2

Thus 𝑞𝑞𝑢𝑢 = 656.4 kN/m2 (that is, the smaller of the two values calculated above) and
 NPTEL – ADVANCED FOUNDATION ENGINEERING-I

𝑞𝑞 656.4
𝑞𝑞all = 𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹𝑢𝑢 = = 164.1 kN/m2
4

The total allowable load is

(𝑞𝑞all )(1 × 1.5) = 246.15 kN

Example 9

Refer to figure 3.20. Assume that the top layer is sand and the bottom layer is soft
saturated clay. Given:

For the sand: 𝛾𝛾1 = 117 lb/ft 3 ; 𝜙𝜙1 = 40°

For the soft clay (bottom layer): 𝑐𝑐2 = 400 lb/ft 2 ; ϕ2 = 0

For the foundation: 𝐵𝐵 = 3 ft; 𝐷𝐷𝑓𝑓 = 3 ft; 𝐿𝐿 = 4.5 ft; 𝐻𝐻 = 4 ft

Determine the gross ultimate bearing capacity of the foundation.

Solution

For this case equations (73 and 74) apply. For 𝜙𝜙1 = 40° , from table 4, 𝑁𝑁𝛾𝛾 = 109.41 and

𝑞𝑞 2 𝑐𝑐2 𝑁𝑁𝑐𝑐(2) (400)(5.14)

= 0.5𝛾𝛾 = (0.5)(117)(3)(109.41) = 0.107
𝑞𝑞 1 1 𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵 𝛾𝛾 (1)

From figure 3. 21, for 𝑐𝑐2 𝑁𝑁𝑐𝑐(2) /0.5𝛾𝛾1 𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝛾𝛾(1) = 0.107 and 𝜙𝜙1 = 40° , the value of
𝐾𝐾𝑠𝑠 ≈ 2.5. Equation (73) gives
𝐵𝐵 𝐵𝐵 2𝐷𝐷𝑓𝑓 tan 𝜙𝜙 1
𝑞𝑞𝑢𝑢 = �1 + 0.2 𝐿𝐿 � 5.14𝑐𝑐2 + �1 + 𝐿𝐿 � 𝛾𝛾1 𝐻𝐻 2 �1 + � 𝐾𝐾𝑠𝑠 +𝛾𝛾1 𝐷𝐷𝑓𝑓
𝐻𝐻 𝐵𝐵

3 3 (2)(3) tan 40
= �1 + (0.2) �4.5�� (5.14)(400) + �1 + 4.5� (117)(4)2 × �1 + � (2.5) +
4 3
(117)(3) = 2330 + 5454 + 351 = 8135 lb/ft 2

Again, from equation (73)

1
𝑞𝑞𝑡𝑡 = 𝛾𝛾1 𝐷𝐷𝑓𝑓 𝑁𝑁𝑞𝑞(1) 𝐹𝐹𝑞𝑞𝑞𝑞(1) + 2 𝛾𝛾1 𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝛾𝛾(1) 𝐹𝐹𝛾𝛾𝛾𝛾(1)

From table 4, for 𝜙𝜙1 = 40° , Nγ = 109.4, 𝑁𝑁𝑞𝑞 = 64.20

From table 5,
𝐵𝐵 3
𝐹𝐹𝑞𝑞𝑞𝑞(1) = �1 + 𝐿𝐿 � tan 𝜙𝜙1 = �1 + 4.5� tan 40 = 1.4

𝐵𝐵 3
𝐹𝐹𝛾𝛾𝛾𝛾 (1) = 1 − 0.4 𝐿𝐿 = 1 − (0.4) �4.5� = 0.733
 NPTEL – ADVANCED FOUNDATION ENGINEERING-I

𝑞𝑞𝑡𝑡 = (117)(3)(64.20)(1.4) + �12�(117)(3)(109.4)(0.733) = 45,622 lb/ft 2

Hence

𝑞𝑞𝑢𝑢 = 8135 lb/ft 2

BEARING CAPACITY OF FOUNDATIONS ON TOP OF A SLOPE

In some instances, shallow foundations need to be constructed on top of a slope (figure 3.

23). In figure 3.23, the height of the slope is H, and the slope makes an angle 𝛽𝛽 with the
horizontal. The edge of the foundation is located at a distance b from the top of the slope.
At ultimate load, 𝑞𝑞𝑢𝑢 , the failure surface will be as shown in the figure 3.23..

Figure 3.23 Shallow foundation on top of a slop

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Figure 3.24 Meyerhof bearing capacity factor, 𝑁𝑁𝛾𝛾𝛾𝛾 , for granular soil (𝑐𝑐 = 0)
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Figure 3.25 Meyerhof bearing capacity factor, 𝑁𝑁𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐 , for purely cohesive soil

Example 10

Refer to figure 3. 23. For a shallow continuous foundation in a clay, the following are
given: 𝐵𝐵 = 1.2 m; 𝐷𝐷𝑓𝑓 = 1.2 m; 𝑏𝑏 = 0.8 m; 𝐻𝐻 = 6.2 m; β = 30° ; unit weight of soil=
17.5 kN/m3 ; 𝜙𝜙 = 0; 𝑐𝑐 = 50 kN/m2 . Determine the gross allowable bearing capacity
with a factor of safety FS = 4.

Solution

Since 𝐵𝐵 < 𝐻𝐻, we will assume the stability number 𝑁𝑁𝑠𝑠 = 0. From equation (83),

𝑞𝑞𝑢𝑢 = 𝑐𝑐𝑁𝑁𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐

Given
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𝐷𝐷𝑓𝑓 1.2
= 1.2 = 1
𝐵𝐵

𝑏𝑏 0.8
= 1.2 = 0.75
𝐵𝐵

For β = 30° , Df /B = 1 and 𝑏𝑏/𝐵𝐵 = 0.75, figure 3. 25 gives 𝑁𝑁𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐 = 6.3. Hence

𝑞𝑞𝑢𝑢 = (50)(6.3) = 315 kN/m2

𝑞𝑞 315
𝑞𝑞all = 𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹𝑢𝑢 = = 78.8 kN/m2
4

SEISMIC BEARING CAPACITY AND SETTLEMENT IN GRANULAR SOIL

In some instances shallow foundations may fail during seismic events. Published studies
relating to the bearing capacity of shallow foundations in such instances are rare.
Recently, however, Richads et al. (1993) develop a seismic bearing capacity theory that is
presented in this section. It needs to be pointed out that this theory has not yet been
supported by field data.

Figure 3. 26 shows the nature of failure in soil assumed for this analysis for static
conditions. Similarly, figure 3. 27 shows the failure surface under earthquake conditions.
Note that, in figure 3.26 and 3.27.

Figure 3.26 Failure surface in soil for static bearing capacity analysis; note: 𝛼𝛼𝐴𝐴 = 45 +
𝜙𝜙/2 and 𝛼𝛼𝜌𝜌 = 45 − 𝜙𝜙/2

Figure 3.27 Failure surface in soil seismic bearing capacity analysis

𝛼𝛼𝐴𝐴 , 𝛼𝛼𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴 = inclination angles for active pressure conditions

𝛼𝛼𝑃𝑃 , 𝛼𝛼𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃 = inclination angles for passive pressure conditions

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According to this theory, the ultimate bearing capacities for continuous foundations in
granular soil are:

Static conditions: 𝑞𝑞𝑢𝑢 = 𝑞𝑞𝑁𝑁𝑞𝑞 + 12𝛾𝛾𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝛾𝛾 [3.85a]

Earthquake conditions: 𝑄𝑄𝑢𝑢𝑢𝑢 = 𝑞𝑞𝑁𝑁𝑞𝑞𝑞𝑞 + 12𝛾𝛾𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝛾𝛾𝛾𝛾 [3.85b]

Where

𝑁𝑁𝑞𝑞 , 𝑁𝑁𝛾𝛾 , 𝑁𝑁𝑞𝑞𝑞𝑞 , 𝑁𝑁𝛾𝛾𝛾𝛾 = bearing capacity factors

𝑞𝑞 = 𝛾𝛾𝐷𝐷𝑓𝑓

Note that

𝑁𝑁𝑞𝑞 and 𝑁𝑁𝛾𝛾 = 𝑓𝑓(𝜙𝜙)

And

𝑁𝑁𝑞𝑞𝑞𝑞 and 𝑁𝑁𝛾𝛾𝛾𝛾 = 𝑓𝑓(𝜙𝜙, tan 𝜃𝜃)

Where
𝑘𝑘
tan 𝜃𝜃 = 1−𝑘𝑘ℎ
𝑣𝑣

𝑘𝑘ℎ = horizontal coefficient of acceleration due to an earthquake

𝑘𝑘𝑣𝑣 = vertical coefficient of acceleration due to an earthquake

The variations of 𝑁𝑁𝑞𝑞 and 𝑁𝑁𝛾𝛾 with 𝜙𝜙 are shown in figure 3. 28. Figure 3. 29 shows the
variations of 𝑁𝑁𝛾𝛾𝛾𝛾 /𝑁𝑁𝛾𝛾 and 𝑁𝑁𝑞𝑞𝑞𝑞 /𝑁𝑁𝑞𝑞 with tan 𝜃𝜃 and the soil friction angle 𝜙𝜙.

Figure 3. 28 Variation of 𝑁𝑁𝑞𝑞 and 𝑁𝑁𝛾𝛾 based on failure surface assumed in figure 3. 26
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Figure 3.28, 3.29 Variation of 𝑁𝑁𝛾𝛾𝛾𝛾 /𝑁𝑁𝛾𝛾 and 𝑁𝑁𝑞𝑞𝑞𝑞 /𝑁𝑁𝑞𝑞 (after Richards et al., 1993)

For static conditions, bearing capacity failure can lead to substantial sudden downward
movement of the foundation. However, bearing capacity-related settlement in an
earthquake takes place when the ratio 𝑘𝑘ℎ /(1 − 𝑘𝑘𝑣𝑣 ) reaches a critical value (𝑘𝑘ℎ /1 − 𝑘𝑘𝑣𝑣 )∗.
If 𝑘𝑘𝑣𝑣 = 0, then (𝑘𝑘ℎ /1 − 𝑘𝑘𝑣𝑣 )∗ becomes equal to 𝑘𝑘ℎ∗ ; figure 3.30 shows the variation of
𝑘𝑘ℎ∗ (for 𝑘𝑘𝑣𝑣 = 0 and 𝑐𝑐 = 0; granular soil) with the factor of safety (FS) applied to the
ultimate static bearing capacity [equation (84)], 𝜙𝜙, and 𝐷𝐷𝑓𝑓 /𝐵𝐵.

Figure 3.30 Critical acceleration 𝑘𝑘ℎ∗ for 𝑐𝑐 = 0 (after Richards et al., 1993)
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The settlement of a strip foundation due to an earthquake (𝑆𝑆𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸 ) can be estimated

(Richards et al., 1993) as
−4
𝑉𝑉 2 𝑘𝑘 ∗
𝑆𝑆𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸 = (m) = 0.174 𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴 � 𝐴𝐴ℎ � tan 𝛼𝛼𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴 [3.86]

Where

𝑉𝑉 = peak velocity for the design earthquake (m/sec)

𝐴𝐴 = acceleration coefficient for the design earthquake

𝑔𝑔 = acceleration due to gravity (9.18m/sec 2 )

The values of 𝑘𝑘ℎ∗ and 𝛼𝛼𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴 can be obtained from figure 3.30 and 3.31, respectively.

Figure 3.31 Variation of tan 𝛼𝛼𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴 with 𝑘𝑘ℎ∗ and soil friction angle, 𝜙𝜙 (after Richards et al.,
1993)

Example 11

A strip foundation is to be constructed on a sandy soil with 𝐵𝐵 = 2 m, 𝐷𝐷𝑓𝑓 = 1.5 b, γ =

18 kN/m3 , 𝜙𝜙 = 30° . Determine the gross ultimate bearing capacity 𝑞𝑞𝑢𝑢𝑢𝑢 . Assume
𝑘𝑘𝑣𝑣 = 0 and 𝑘𝑘ℎ = 0.176.

Solution

From figure 3.28, for 𝜙𝜙 = 30° , 𝑁𝑁𝑞𝑞 = 16.51 and 𝑁𝑁𝛾𝛾 = 23.76.
𝑘𝑘
tan 𝜃𝜃 = 1−𝑘𝑘ℎ = 0.176
𝑣𝑣

For tan 𝜃𝜃 = 0.176. Figure 3.29 gives

𝑁𝑁𝛾𝛾𝛾𝛾 𝑁𝑁𝑞𝑞𝑞𝑞
= 0.4 and = 0.6
𝑁𝑁𝛾𝛾 𝑁𝑁𝑞𝑞
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Thus

𝑁𝑁𝛾𝛾𝛾𝛾 = (0.4)(23.76) = 9.5

𝑁𝑁𝑞𝑞𝑞𝑞 = (0.6)(16.51) = 9.91

𝑞𝑞𝑢𝑢𝑢𝑢 = 𝑞𝑞𝑁𝑁𝑞𝑞𝑞𝑞 + 12𝛾𝛾𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝛾𝛾 = (1.5 × 18)(9.91) + �12(18)(2)(9.5) = 438.6 kN/m2 �

Example 12

Refer to example 11. If the design earthquake parameters are 𝑉𝑉 = 0.4 m/ sec and 𝐴𝐴 =
0.32, determine the seismic settlement of the foundation. Use 𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹 = 3 for obtaining static
allowable bearing capacity.

Solution

For the foundation

𝐷𝐷𝑓𝑓 1.5
= = 0.75
𝐵𝐵 2

From figure 3.30, for 𝜙𝜙 = 30° , 𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹 = 3, and 𝐷𝐷𝑓𝑓 /𝐵𝐵 = 0.75, the value of 𝑘𝑘ℎ∗ = 0.26. Also
from figure 3.31, for 𝑘𝑘ℎ∗ = 0.26 and 𝜙𝜙 = 30° , the value of tan 𝛼𝛼𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴 = 0.88. From
equation (86)
−4
𝑘𝑘 ∗ 𝑉𝑉 2
𝑆𝑆𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸 = 0.174 � 𝐴𝐴ℎ � tan 𝛼𝛼𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴 �𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴 �

(0.4)2 0.26 −4
= 0.174 (0.32)(9.81) �0.32 � (0.88) = 0.0179 m = 17.9 mm