PBW–N303

Foundations

Dr. Shehab Wissa

Soil Mechanics and Foundations

Faculty of Engineering
Cairo University
Fall 2018
 CHOICE OF TYPE OF FOUNDATION
Concept of choice of type of foundation:
1. Calculate the stresses from the superstructure, ss

2. Search for the layer that has a shear strength (bearing capacity) that can support the
superstructure stresses.

3. According to the layer chosen to support the loads, the type of foundations can be
estimated based on:

1. Choose shallow foundation if the superstructure stress is less than the bearing
capacity of the foundation soil based on 1′′ (1 inch) settlement.

a) Choose isolated footings if the superstructure stress is less than 70% of the
bearing capacity of the foundation soil.

b) Choose raft foundation if the superstructure stress is greater than 70% of the
bearing capacity of the foundation soil.

2. Choose deep foundation if the superstructure stress is greater than the bearing
capacity of the foundation soil based on 1′′ (1 inch) settlement.

Foundations– Dr. Shehab Wissa – Fall 2018 223

 CHOICE OF TYPE OF FOUNDATION
Concept of choice of type of foundation:
4. If shallow foundation is chosen; check the bearing capacity of all soil layers in the
influence zone of stresses.

5. If deep foundation is chosen; assume a suitable diameter and length for the piles to
obtain a reasonable number to serve each column.

6. In order to go through the previous procedure, it is important to know how to calculate

the superstructure loads and pre-define the permissible stresses of the underling layers.

Foundations– Dr. Shehab Wissa – Fall 2018 224

 CHOICE OF TYPE OF FOUNDATION
The superstructure Loads

• Residential buildings 1.0 t/m2

• Office buildings 1.2 t/m2

• Schools and hospitals 1.4 t/m2

• Stores 2.0 t/m2

Room areas of superstructure

Typical column spacing:

• Residential buildings 4m x 4m

• Office, schools and hospitals 5m x 5m

• Stores 6m x 6m

Foundations– Dr. Shehab Wissa – Fall 2018 225

 Automatic Safety Hammer
STANDARD PENETRATION Donut Pinweight
Mass = 64 kg
(140 lbs)
TEST (SPT):  ASTM D 1586 Drop Height
= 76.2 cm
Hammer Blows
(30 inches)
Rate ≈ 1 per sec
Ground Surface Anvil
Rods
CORRECTED SPT RESISTANCE
Open borehole, 
FRONTAL Cased borehole, or 
VIEW Hollow‐stem augers
N   = measured SPT resistance
N60= (ER/60)∙ Nmeas
Outside = energy‐corrected SPT value
Diameter
do = 50 mm (2.0 in) ER = energy rating(%) per (ASTM D4633)
PROFILE
VIEW
Split‐Spoon or
Opening Split‐Barrel 
Inside Diameter Drive Sampler Count Blows to Drive Sampler:
di = 38 mm (1⅜ in) length = 760 mm 1.  150 mm (6") ‐ seating (1st increment)
2.  150 mm (6") ‐ 2nd incr. n = 18"
N‐value
(blows/foot) 3.  150 mm (6") ‐ 3rd incr.
} blows = N
i = 6"
4.  Pull out split spoon to get sample

Foundations– Dr. Shehab Wissa – Fall 2018 226

after Agaiby & Mayne (2016)
 CHOICE OF TYPE OF FOUNDATION
Allowable stresses of soils
A. Cohesive Soils

qall (kg/cm2) - qall (kg/cm2) -

Type SPT Number, N
Range Average
Very Soft 0-2 < 0.25 0.15
Soft 2–4 0.25 – 0.50 0.37
Medium Stiff 4–8 0.50 – 1.00 0.75
Stiff 8 – 15 1.00 – 2.00 1.50
Very Stiff 15 – 30 2.00 – 4.00 3.00
Hard >30 > 4.00 4.00

Foundations– Dr. Shehab Wissa – Fall 2018 227

 CHOICE OF TYPE OF FOUNDATION
Allowable stresses of soils
B. Cohesion-less Soils

Bearing
Angle of
Capacity based
Type SPT Number, N Internal
on 1-inch
Resistance, 
settlement, qall
Very Loose 0–4 < 0.25 0.5
Loose 4 – 10 0.25 – 0.50 0.5 – 1.0
Medium Dense 10 – 30 0.50 – 1.00 1.0 – 2.0
Dense 30 - 50 1.00 – 2.00 2.0 – 3.0
Very Dense > 50 2.00 – 4.00 3.0 – 4.0

Foundations– Dr. Shehab Wissa – Fall 2018 228