8.

17 Proble ms
Example 8.1: A multistory building is to be constructed in a stiff to very stiff clay. The soil is
homogeneous to a great depth. The average value of undrained shear strength cu is 120
kN/m2 . It is proposed to use a drilled pier of length 20 m and diameter 1 m as shown in figure.

Determine

(a) the ultimate load capacity of the pier, and

(b) the allowable load on the pier with Fs = 2.5.

Fig Ex.8.1

Solution:

qb q cu =120*9=1080 kN/m2 [as Cu> 96 kPa]

Base load, Qb Ab qb =847.8 kN

The unit ultimate frictional resistance fs is determined using Eq.

cu 120
fs cu , here 1.188 , α=0.55, where pa is the atmospheric pressure =101 kPa
pa 101

Therefore, fs=0.55*120=66 kN/m2

The effective length of the shaft for computing the frictional load

L' L d 1.5 =17.5 m

The effective surface area As dL' =54.97 m2

Qf fs As = 66*54.97=3628 kN

Qu=Qb+Q f=4708 kN

Qa=4708/2.5=1883.2 kN

Example 8.2: Figure shows a drilled pier penetrating an IGM: clay-shale to a depth of 12 m.
Joints exists within the IGM stratum. The following data are available: Ls = 12 m (= zc ), d=2
3 2 3 2
m, q u(rock) = 4 x 10 kN/m , Ei(rock) = 650 x 10 kN/m , concrete slump = 140 mm, unit weight
of concrete γc = 24 kN/m3 , Ec(concrete) = 450 x 106 kN/m2 , and RQD = 80 percent, q u(concrete) =
450 x 106 kN/m2 . Determine the ultimate frictional load Q f(max).

Fig Ex.8.2

Solution:
We know qu= 4 MPa

fa qu

For the depth of socket Ls = 12 m, and slump =140 mm, M = 0.45

n M c Zc 0.45 24 12 126 .9kN / m 2

Atmospheric pressure pa= 101 kPa

n 129 .6
1.283
pa 101

n
So, for qu = 4 MPa and = 1.283, we have α = 0.09
pa

fa = 0.09*5 = 0.45 MPa

Em
for RQD= 80%, = 0.27
Ei

f aa
0.6775
fa

fmax = faa =0.6775*0.45 MPa= 304.875 kPa

Ultimate load Q f DLf aa 22987 .033 kN

Example 8.3: Determine the cross-sectional dimensions of a cylindrical open caisson to be sunk
through 35 m of sand and water to bed rock if the allowable bearing pressure is 2000 N/m2 . The
caisson has to support a load of 60 MN from the superstructure. Test the feasibility of sinking if
the skin friction is 40 kN/m2 . Also calculate the necessary thickness of the seal.

Solution:

Let Debe the external diameter of the caisson in meter (as shown in above figure) and Di be its
internal diameter in meter. Di may be taken as De/2 nearly.
 Fig Ex.8.3

For equilibrium of forces in vertical direction

V 0

Superstructure load + Self weight = Frictional resistance + Buoyancy Force + Base Reaction

Hence assuming γc= 24 kN/m3 & γw = 9.81 kN/m3

60000 De2 Di2 35 24 De 35 40 35 9.81 De2 2000

4 4 4

Solving the equation and substituting Di = De /2,

 We get De= 5.68 m, so let us adopt external diameter as 6.00 m.

Feasibility of sinking

In order to overcome the skin friction resistance for sinking the caisson, we can determine the
internal diameter for giving adequate self-weight, from the following equation

De2 Di2 D c f De D
4

62 Di2 35 24 40 6 35
4
Di2 40 36 4
Di 2m

So, thickness of wall = (6-2)/2= 2 m

Thickness of concrete seal

We know,

q
t 0.59 Di
c

Assuming σc = 3000 kN/m2 , t = 0.963 m

So a concrete seal of 1 m thickness may be provided at the base of the caisson.