Chapter 3 : problems

Problem 1:
An eccentrically loaded foundation is shown below. Use a factor of 3 and determine
the allowable load that the foundation could carry.
(the factor of safety based on the maximum stress along the base of the footing).

7 ft

3 ft

e=0.5ft

110pcf

W.T

( sat ) 122.4 pcf

c 800 psf

15o

6ft x 8ft
6 ft

Solution:
1) Determine A ' , B ' and L '
The foundation is with one-way eccentricity:
B ' B 2e B ' 6 2(0.5) 5ft
L ' L L ' 8ft
Note: always take the smaller of ( B ' , L ' ) as effective width.
A ' B ' L ' A ' 5 8 40ft 2
2) Calculate q and
The water table level is within the depth of foundation ( D f ) Case

q D1 '(D f D1 )
D f D1
6 44 7 ' 4 48 678
q 110 3 (122.4 62.4) (7 3) 570 psf

' sat w ' 122.4 62.4 60 psf

3) Determine Meyerhof's equation parameters
a. Bearing capacity factors
@ 150 N C 10.98, N q 3.94, N 2.65
b. Shape factors
B ' N q

L ' N c
5 3.94
Fcs 1
1.224
8 10.98
Fcs 1

B'
tan
L'
5
Fqs 1 tan15o 1.167
8
Fqs 1

B'
L'
5
F s 1 0.4 0.75
8
F s 1 0.4

c. Depth factors
Df / B 7 / 6 Df / B 1
Df

Fcd 1 0.4 tan 1

7
Fcd 1 0.4 tan 1 1.345
6
Df

Fqd 1 2 tan (1 sin ) 2 tan 1

Fqd 1 2 tan15o 1 sin15o

7
tan 1 1.254
6

F d 1
d. Inclination factors
Fci Fqi F i 1
4) Calculate ultimate bearing capacity using Meyerhof's equation
1
q 'u cN c Fcs Fcd Fci qN q Fqs Fqd Fqi B ' F s F d F i
2
q 'u 800(10.98)(1.224)(1.345) 570(3.94)(1.167)(1.254)(1)
1
(60)(5)(2.65)(0.75)(1)(1) 18045.58 psf
2
5) Find the maximum pressure
e 0.5
B 6
1
6 6
B
e
6
Q
q max all
BL

q max

6e

Q all
6(0.5)
1
q max 0.03125Q all
68
6

q max

6) Find the maximum allowable load the foundation could carry

FS

q 'u
q max

q max

q 'u
FS

18045.58
3
192.45kips

0.03125Q all
Q all

Problem 2
Refer to figure (). The shallow foundation 4 ft 6 ft is subjected to a centric load and
a moment. If e B = 0.4 ft and e L =1.2 ft and the depth of foundation is 3 ft , determine
the allowable load the foundation can carry if:
A water table level lies at 8ft under ground level?
B water table level lies at 5ft under ground level?
Use a factor of safety of 4. For the soil, given: unit weight, =115 lb/ft 3 ; friction
angle, = 350 ; cohesion, c = 0

Qall=??

d 115 pcf

3ft

(sat ) 122 pcf

c 0

35o

6ft x 8ft
4 ft

6 ft

eL

eB

Solution:
1) Determine A ' , B ' and L '
The foundation is with two-way eccentricity:
e B 0.4

0.1
B
4
e L 1.2

0.2
L
6
Calculate A ', B ', L ' by refering to case
A'

1
L1 L2 B
2

Use figure 3.15b to get:

L1
; 0.85 L1 0.85(6) 5.1
L
L2
; 0.21 L 2 0.21(6) 1.26
L
L ' max( L1 , L 2 ) 5.1
A'

1
5.1 1.26 4 12.72
2

B '

A ' 12.72

2.49
L'
5.1

A'

12.72

B'

2.49

L'

5.1

2) Calculate q and

Case A :
The water table level is so deep that it doesn't affect ultimate bearing capacity
case

q Df
q 115 3 345 psf
115 pcf
Case B :
The water table level lies within the distance B = 4 ft under foundation base
case
q Df
q 115 3 345 psf
d
' '
B
2
122 62.4 115 122 62.4 87.3 pcf
4
3) Determine Meyerhof's equation parameters
a. Bearing capacity factors
@ 350 N q 33.3, N 48.03
b. Shape factors
B'
tan
L'
2.49
Fqs 1
tan 35o 1.34
5.1
Fqs 1

B'
L'
2.49
F s 1 0.4
0.805
5.1
F s 1 0.4

c. Depth factors
Df / B 3 / 4 Df / B 1
Df

Fqd 1 2 tan (1 sin ) 2

2 3
Fqd 1 2 tan 35o 1 sin 35o 1.191
4

F d 1
d. Inclination factors
Fci Fqi F i 1
4) Calculate ultimate bearing capacity using Meyerhof's equation
Case A :
1
q 'u cN c Fcs Fcd Fci qN q Fqs Fqd Fqi B ' F s F d F i
2
q 'u 0.0 345(33.3)(1.34)(1.191)(1)
1
(115)(2.49)(48.03)(0.805)(1)(1) 23870.7 psf
2
Case B :
1
q 'u cN c Fcs Fcd Fci qN q Fqs Fqd Fqi B ' F s F d F i
2
q 'u 0.0 345(33.3)(1.34)(1.191)(1)
1
(87.3)(2.49)(48.03)(0.805)(1)(1) 22537.305 psf
2
5) Find the maximum allowable load the foundation could carry
Case A :
Q all
Q all

Qu q 'u A '

FS
Fs
23870.7 12.72
4

75.9kips

Case B :
Q all
Q all

Qu q 'u A '

FS
Fs
22537.3 12.72
4

71.6kips

Problem 3
A circular footing is shown below. Determine the safe gross load ( with a factor of
safety of 3) that the footing can carry.
Solution:
1) Calculate q and
The water table level lies within the distance Df = 0.61 m under ground level
case
q 18.08 0.61 (21.07 10)(0.61) 17.8 psf
'
21.07 10 11.07 pcf

2) Determine Meyerhof's equation parameters

a. Bearing capacity factors
@ 320 N C 35.49, N q 23.18, N 30.22
b. Shape factors
B'
tan
L'
1.22
Fqs 1
tan 32o 1.625
1.22
Fqs 1

B'
L'
1.22
F s 1 0.4
0.6
1.22
F s 1 0.4

c. Depth factors
D f / B 1.22 /1.22 D f / B 1
Df

Fqd 1 2 tan (1 sin ) 2

1.22
1.276
1.22

Fqd 1 2 tan 32o 1 sin 32o

2

F d 1
d. Inclination factors
Fci Fqi F i 1
3) Calculate ultimate bearing capacity using Meyerhof's equation
1
q 'u cN c Fcs Fcd Fci qN q Fqs Fqd Fqi B ' F s F d F i
2
q 'u 0.0 17.8(23.18)(1.625)(1.276)(1)
1
(11.07)(1.22)(30.22)(0.6)(1)(1) 977.97 psf
2
4) Find the maximum allowable load the foundation could carry
qu 977.97

325.7 kN/m 2
3
3

2
q all Area 325.7 1.22 381 KN
4

q all
Q all

Problem 4:
A square column foundation has to carry a gross allowable total load of 150 KN. The
depth of the foundation is 0.7m. the load is inclined at an angle of 20 o to the vertical.
Determine the width of foundation, use the general equation & F.S=3.

Solution:
1) Calculate q and

q 18 0.7 12.6
18
2) Determine Meyerhof's equation parameters
a. Bearing capacity factors
@ 300 N C 30.14, N q 18.40, N 22.40
b. Shape factors
B'
tan
L'
B
Fqs 1
tan 302o 1.577
B
Fqs 1

B
L
B
F s 1 0.4 0.6
B
F s 1 0.4

c. Depth factors
Assume Df /B 1
Df

Fqd 1 2 tan (1 sin ) 2

0.202
0.7
1
B
B

Fqd 1 2 tan 30o 1 sin 30o

2

F d 1
d. Inclination factors

o
Fci Fqi 1
90

20
Fqi 1 0.605
90

o
F i 1

20

F i 1 0.111
30

3) Calculate ultimate bearing capacity using Meyerhof's equation

1
qu cN c Fcs Fcd Fci qN q Fqs Fqd Fqi B ' F s F d F i
2
0.202

qu 0.0 12.6(18.4)(1.577) 1
(0.605)
B

1
(B )(18)(22.4)(0.6)(0.111)(1)
2
0.202

qu 221.2 1
13.4B
B

44.68
qu 221.2
13.4B
B
4) Calculate the width of foundation
44.68
13.4B
B
44.68
q all F .S 221.2
13.4B
B
150
44.68
3 221.2
13.4B
2
B
B
450 221.2B 2 44.68B 13.4B 3
B ; 1.3m
qu 221.2

Problem 5:
For the shown rectangular foundation:
a) Compute the net allowable bearing capacity using Meyerhof general equation,
use a factor of safety of 3.
b) If water table is lowered by 2m, what effects on bearing capacity would occur
due to water lowering.
Given Data:

B = 2m, L = 3m
c = 25 KN/m 2 , = 25o
w = 10 KN/m 3 , sat = 21 KN/m3 , =18 KN/m 3

1.5 m

0.5 m

700 KN

15 KN / m 3

W.T

( sat ) 21 KN / m 3

3m x 2m
3m

Solution:
1) Determine A ' , B ' and L '
The foundation is with one-way eccentricity:
Q x Q cos(60)
Q x 700 cos(60) 350KN
Q y Q sin(60)
Q y 700 sin(60) 606.217 KN
M Qx Df
M 350 1.5 525KN .m
e

M
525

0.866
Q y 606.217

L ' L 2e L ' 3 2(0.866) 1.268m

B ' B B ' 2m

Note: always take the smaller of ( B ' , L ' ) as effective width.

B ' 1.268m
L ' 2m
A ' B ' L ' A ' 1.268 2 2.536m 2
2) Calculate q and
The water table level is within the depth of foundation ( D f ) Case
Case a :
q D1 '(D f D1 )
q 18 0.5 4 (21 10)(1) 20KN / m 2
' sat w ' 21 10 11KN / m 3
Case b :
q Df
q 18 1.5 27 KN / m 2

(1)(18) (1)(21 10)

14.5KN / m 3
2

3) Determine Meyerhof's equation parameters

a. Bearing capacity factors
@ 250 N C 20.72, N q 10.66, N 10.88
b. Shape factors
B ' N q

L ' N c
1.268 10.66
Fcs 1

1.326
2 20.72
Fcs 1

B'
tan
L'
1.268
Fqs 1
tan 25o 1.296
2
Fqs 1

B'
L'
1.268
F s 1 0.4
0.746
2
F s 1 0.4

c. Depth factors
D f / B 1.5 / 2 D f / B 1
Df

Fcd 1 0.4

1.5
1.3
2

Fcd 1 0.4

Df

Fqd 1 2 tan (1 sin ) 2

Fqd 1 2 tan 25o 1 sin 25o

1.5

1.233
2

F d 1
d. Inclination factors
Fci Fqi F i 1
4) Calculate ultimate bearing capacity using Meyerhof's equation
Case a :
1
q 'u cN c Fcs Fcd Fci qN q Fqs Fqd Fqi B ' F s F d F i
2
q 'u 25(20.72)(1.326)(1.3)(1) 20(10.66)(1.296)(1.233)(1)
1
(11)(1.268)(10.88)(0.746)(1)(1) 1290.22KN / m 2
2
q ' q 1290.22 20
q all ( net ) u

423.4KN / m 2
F .S
3
Case b :

1
q 'u cN c Fcs Fcd Fci qN q Fqs Fqd Fqi B ' F s F d F i
2
q 'u 25(20.72)(1.326)(1.3)(1) 27(10.66)(1.296)(1.233)(1)
1
(14.5)(1.268)(10.88)(0.746)(1)(1) 1427.47KN / m 2
2
q ' q 1427.47 27
q all ( net ) u

466.8KN / m 2
F .S
3

Problem 6:
The figure below shows a continuous foundation.
a) If H=1.5 m, determine the ultimate bearing capacity, qu
b) At what minimum value of H/B will the clay layer not have any effect on the
ultimate bearing capacity of the foundation?

Sand

1.2 m

1 17.5 KN / m 3
1 400
B=2m

c1 0

Clay

2 16.5 KN / m 3
2 0
c 2 30 KN / m 3

Solution:
a) H=1.5
This is the special case , because the top layer is strong sand ( c1 0.0 ) and the
bottom layer is weak soft clay ( 2 0.0 ).

qb 1 0.2 5.14c 2 1 D f H
L

qb 1 0.2(0) 5.14(30) 17.5 1.2 1.5 201.45KN / m 2

1
qt 1D f N q (1) Fqs (1) 1BN (1) F s (1)
2
o
@ 40 N q (1) 64.2, N (1) 109.41
1
qt (17.5)(1.2)(64.2)(1) (17.5)(2)(109.41)(1) 3262.875KN / m 2
2
Note: the foundation given is strip, so Fqs (1) F s (1) 1

q2
5.14c 2

q1 0.5 1BN (1)

q2
5.14(30)

0.08
q1 0.5(17.5)(2)(109.41)

Use figure 3.21 (p.190) to get K s K s 2.3

Use figure 3.22 (p.190) to get

c
ca
a 0.7 c a 0.7 (0) 0
c1
c1

B
qu 1 0.2 5.14c 2 1H 2 1
L

2D f K s tan 1
1D f q t
1 H
B

2(1.2) (2.3) tan 40

qu 1 0.2(0) 5.14(30) 17.5(1.5) 2 1 0 1

(17.5)(1.2)

1.5
2

qu 273.99
b) H=??
To find the minimum value of H/B will which makes the clay layer not have any
effect on the ultimate bearing capacity of the foundation, let qu q t and qb 0.0

2D f K s tan 1
B 2c a H

B
qu q b 1
1H 2 1 1
1H

L B
H
B

L
B 2c a H
2D f K s tan 1

B
qu qt 0.0 1
1H 2 1 1
1H

L B
H
B

2(1.2)
2.3 tan 40
2(0)H

2
3262.875 0.0 1 0
17.5H
17.5H 1 (0) 1

2
H
2

H 13.24m
H 13.24

6.62
B
2

Problem 7:
For the design of a shallow foundation given the following:

20o
c 72KN / m 2

17KN / m 3
E 1020KN / m 2
0.35
L 1.5m , B 1m , D f 1m
Calculate the ultimate load, use vesic equation?
Solution:
1) Determine Vesic's equation parameters
a. Bearing capacity factors
@ 200 N C 14.83, N q 6.4, N 5.39
Nq
NC

0.43, tan 0.36

b. Shape factors
Fcs 1

B
L

Fcs 1

N q

N c
1
0.43 1.287
1.5

B
tan
L
1
Fqs 1
0.36 1.24
1.5
Fqs 1

B
L

F s 1 0.4

1
0.733
1.5

F s 1 0.4

c. Depth factors
D f / B 1/1 D f / B 1
Df

Fcd 1 0.4

Fcd 1 0.4 1 1.4

Df

Fqd 1 2 tan (1 sin ) 2

Fqd 1 2 tan 20o 1 sin 20o

1 1.157
2

F d 1
d. compressibility factors
i. calculate rigidity index ( I r )
G
c q ' tan
E
1020
G
G
377.78KN / m 2
21
2 1 0.35
Ir

1
q ' D f q ' 17 1 25.5KN / m 2
2

2
377.78
Ir
4.654
72 25.5 0.36
ii. calculate critical rigidity index ( I r (cr ) )

I r (cr )

1
exp
2

I r (cr )

1
exp
2

3.30 0.45 cot 45

L

2
20
1

3.30 0.45 1.5 cot 45 2

36.28

Since I r I r (cr ) , use the following equations to find

compressibility factors:

(3.07 sin )(log 2I r )
B
Fqc F c exp 4.4 0.6 tan

L
1 sin

3.07 sin 20 log 2 4.65
1
Fqc F c exp 4.4 0.6

tan 20
1 sin 20
1.5

since 0 Fcc Fqc

Fcc Fqc

1 Fqc
N q tan

1 Fqc
N q tan

Fcc 0.415

1 0.415
0.161
6.4 0.36

2) Calculate ultimate bearing capacity using vesic's equation

1
qu cN c Fcs Fcd Fcc qN q Fqs Fqd Fqc BN F s F d F c
2
qu 72 14.83 1.287 1.4 0.415 17 6.4 1.24 1.157 0.415
1
17 1 5.39 0.733 1 0.161
2
qu 868.6KN / m 2

0.415