WELL FOUNDATION

Example: Taj Mahal @ Agra

Construction of well foundation is in principle, similar to
the conventional wells sunk for obtaining underground
water
It is a monolithic and massive foundation and is relatively
rigid in its engineering behavior.
Major applications: Bridge piers and abutments

Advantages of well foundations:

1. The effect of scour ca be better withstood by a well foundation
because of its large cross sectional area and rigidity.
2. The depth can be decided as the sinking progresses, since the
nature of the strata can be inspected and tested, if necessary at any
desired stage.

3. It can withstand large lateral loads and moments that occur in the
case of bridge piers, abutments, tall chimneys and towers
4. There is no danger of damage to adjacent structures since sinking of
well does not cause any vibrations.

Elements of a well foundation:

1. Cutting edge
2. Curb
3. Concrete seal bottom
plug

4. Steining
5. Top plug

6. Well cap

Different shapes of Well foundations:

In a plan view the following shapes can be construct:
1. Circular

2. Square

5. Twin circular

3. Rectangular

4. Octogonal

6. Twin rectangular 7. Twin hexagonal

8. Double D
Point of view Sinking & Skin friction Circular is ideal
Lateral stability square or rectangular section

Different shapes of Well foundation:

Grip length:
Definition: A well foundation should be sunk below the max. scour depth
such that there is adequate lateral stability. The depth of the bottom of
the well below the max. scour level is known as the grip length.
How do we calculate the grip length:
Step . 1 - Calculate the max. scour depth
a. With soundings method

b. Laceys formula

d 0.473 (Q / f )1/ 3

d = normal scour depth, Q = design discharge, f = laceys silt factor,

f 1.76 dm
Step .2 , Regime width of the waterway, W 4.75 .Q1/ 2

 The grip length for wells of railway bridges - 50% max. scour
depth
Road bridges 30% max. scour depth
The base of the well is taken to a depth of - 2.67 d below the HFL
As per IS 3955-1967, depth should not be less than 1.33 times the
max. scour depth
Depth of the base level below the max.scour level - 2m (piers,
abutments)

Forces acting on well foundations:

1. Dead loads

2. Live loads

3. Impact loads

4. Wing loads

5. Water pressure

6. Longitudinal forces

7. Earth pressure

8. Centrifugal force

9. Buoyancy force

10. Temperature stresses

11. Seismic forces

12. Resultant forces

Terzaghis Analysis:
Compared the free bulkhead
When a rigid bulkheads
embedded in sand moves
parallel to its original
position.
Assume the both passive and
active pressures are fully
mobilized, the net pressure at any depth

p .z ( K p K a )
Considering unit length, and applying SH = 0, rotation above the base,
qmax = Area ABC Area FEC

1 ' 2
1
D ( K p K a ) (2 ' D)(K P K a ).D1
2
2

Finally, calculating the depth of zero shear point.

Substituting this value in first equation, qmax can be calculated. Kp and

Ka rankines values can be used
Case 1. Heavy wells: rotation at the base

Case 2. Effect of surcharge:

Allowable Transverse load:

qmax'.L
Qa
FS
FS = factor of safety is not less than 2.

Design of the individual components of a well foundation:

1. Cutting edge:

it should have a sharp angle for cutting

through the soil
It should be strong enough so that it does
bend when penetrating through a soil containing boulders.
It should be properly anchored to the well curb

2. Well curb:
Q = u.P
Resolve the forces vertically & Horizontal

N (sin . cos )
H
( . sin cos )

Calculating the hoop tension: T = H x d/2,

sin . cos
T 0.5 N (
).d
. sin cos

3. Well steining: The thickness of the steining should be adequate for the
stresses developed during sinking and after installation.

.B.( H h). f ( B t ). c .t.H P

B = external diameter, P = weight added for sinking, h = height at which it
has got suspended, H = depth at which the well has progressed

Reinforcement provided 5 to 6kg/m3 of concrete steining

Empirically thickness of the steining:
For railway bridges
1/4th of the outside diameter
road bridges
1/8th of the outside diameter
Thumb rule commonly used:

t K ( B / 8 H / 100)

K = constant, 1 for sandy soils, 1.1 for soft clay, 1.25 for hard clay and
boulders
4. Bottom plug:
a. Vertical load transfer to the soil
b. It shape of an electric bulb to produce an arch action, to reduce the
hoop tension.
c. It is constructed in 1:2:4 cement concrete, which is trimie concrete
d. If rock bed is need to anchored 25cm to 30cm deep.

5. Well cap:
a. The bottom of the well cap is kept at low water level.
b. It is designed as a slab resting on the well.
c. Min. reinforcement is provided 80 kg/m3.

6. Top plug:
a. Function is transmit the loads from pier to the well steining
b. Its provided for extra safety precautions
7. Sand filling:
a. Main purpose of the sand filling is to provide the stability to well by
increasing its weight and reduce the tensile stresses cuased at the
base by bending moment
b. Its not contributing towards structural strength of the well.

Sinking process of the well:

Process:
1. Construction of the well curb
2. Construction of well steining
3. Sinking process
4. Kentledge

Shifts and Tilts:

Well should be sunk straight and vertical at the correct position.
The well tilts onto its side or it shifts away from the desired position.
The following precautions may be taken to avoid tilts and Shifts:
1. The outer surface of the well curb and steining should be smooth
2. The curb diameter should be kept 40 to 80mm larger than the outer
diameter of the steining, and the well should be symmetrically placed.
3. The cutting edge should be uniformly thick and sharp
4. Dredgeing should be done uniformly on all sides and in all the pockets.
Tilts and shifts must be carefully noted and recorde.
Limits as per IS 3955: A. Tilt - 1 in 60.
Shift
1% of the depth sunk.
If its exceed these limits, suitable remedial measures are to be taken for
rectification.

Remedial measures for correction of tilt jacks

Problem. A circular well of 6m external diameter and 4m internal diameter is

embedded to a depth of 15m below the max. scour level in a sandy soil deposit.
The well is subjected to a horizontal force of 800kN acting at a height of 8m
above the scour level. Determine the allowable total equivalent resisting force
due to earth pressure, assuming a. The rotation is about a point above the base,
b. the rotation is at the base. Take sat = 20 kN/m3, f = 30, factor of safety for
passive resistance = 2.0, use terzaghis analysis.
Sol:
Step1: Calculate the Kp, Ka from f value
Step 2: a. Rotation above the base H = 8+15 = 23m
Calculate D1 from the terzaghis formula, this is the point where well rotates above the base
Step3 : calculate qmax
4.Qallowable = qmax. L/ FS.
Case b. Rotation at the base: heavy well case, qmax need to calculate,
Qallowable = qmax.L / FS