ASSIGNMENT 1 - SHALLOW FOUNDATION

HAMZA NADEEM 2010539786

CIVL6027 Foundation engineering

(1) Use the Meyerhof method to calculate the ultimate bearing capacity of the raft foundation and the allowable bearing capacity (FS=3).
Df =
B=
L=
H=
Dw =

4.00
30.00
33.00
30.00
10.00
9.81

w =

m
m
m
m
m
KN/m3

SOIL PARAMETERS FOR DESIGN PURPOSES

From laboratory test data, the shear strength of CDG are listed below
c (kPa)
f' (o)

3.12
38.7

Mean strength parameters

3.92
39.4
Mat.
Fill
CDG

c (KPa)
1.50
3.92

3.65
40.8

4.15
40.9

4.98
41.5

3.56
39.5

4.26
38.3

3.69
36.3

Strength
(95% Probability Exceedence
2.92
36.4
(degree)
33.00
39.43

(KN/m3)

19.00
19.00

30

qu = qc + qq+q
qc= cNcFcsFcdFci
qc =
c=
Nc =
Fcs =
Fcd =
Fci =

qu =

qq = qNqFqsFqdFqi
532.53
3.92
70.94
1.81
1.06
1.00

27,371.85

KPa
KPa

KPa

qq =
q=
Nq =
Fqs =
Fqd =
Fqi =

FS =

q = 1/2BNFsFdFi
6,524.66
76.00
59.33
1.41
1.03
1.00

3.00

KPa
KPa

q =
=
N =
B=
Fs =
Fd =

20,314.66
11.15
83.92
30.00
1.41
1.03

Fqi =

1.00

qua =

9,123.95

KPa
KPa

KPa

(2) Using the strength parameters for CDG with 95% probability exceedance, re-calculate the ultimate and allowable bearing capacities of the raft.

Mat.
Fill
CDG

c (KPa)
(degree)
1.50
33.00
2.92
36.43

(KN/m3)

19.00
19.00

30

qu = qc + qq+q
qc= cNcFcsFcdFci

qq = qNqFqsFqdFqi

q = 1/2BNFsFdFi

qc =
c=
Nc =
Fcs =
Fcd =
Fci =

277.75
2.92
52.68
1.713
1.05
1.00

KPa
KPa

qq =
q=
Nq =
Fqs =
Fqd =
Fqi =

4,221.00
76.00
39.88
1.357
1.03
1.00

qu =

15,685.11

KPa

FS =

3.00

KPa
KPa

q =
=
N =
B=
Fs =
Fd =
Fqi =

11,186.36
11.15
48.02
30.00
1.357
1.03
1.00

KPa
KPa

qua =

5,228.37

KPa

(3) Compare the calculated values in (1) with the presumed allowable bearing pressure in the Code of Practice for Foundations, and state your design considerations
(e.g., what value you would take in your design and why; any additional tests you would ask for to support your decision and how).

According to the Code of Practice for Foundations (Table 2.1), the allowable bearing capacity of the CDG should be 1000KPa, comparing with the calculated value of 9124 kPa
and 5228 kPa in (1) and (2) respectively . But as we can see this value prescribed in the CoP does not consider variables such as
1. The width of the foundation
2. The depth of the founding level below ground
3. The shape of the foundation
The
calculated value by Meyerhof method will be adopted in our design, as the Meyerhof method calculation considers the geometery of the foundation, which suits the specific
settings of our proposed foundation.

From the calculated values of Bearing Capacity in (1) and (2) it can be seen that the ultimate bearing capacity obtained using the Meyerhof method is sensitive to the soil strength
parameters in particular the friction angle of the soil. Hence it is important to adequtely verify the strength parameters of soil and additional CU tests are recommended to
accurately determine these parameters.

(4) Estimate the settlement of the raft foundation under working load.
Using the SPT-based method proposed by Burland & Burbidge in 1985, we will calculate the settlement of the foundation.

Avg. N value =
fs =
zf =
fl =
ft =
B=
pa =
qb =
'v =

100.00
1.04
14.69
1.00
1.00
30.00
100.00
9,123.95
76.00

Ic =

0.0027

w=

m
m
Kpa
Kpa

0.276 m

(5) Consider a worse scenario that the water table is located at the level of the base of the raft. Recalculate the ultimate bearing

30

qu = qc + qq+q

Dw =

qc= cNcFcsFcdFci
qc =
c=
Nc =
Fcs =
Fcd =
Fci =

4.00
qq = qNqFqsFqdFqi

532.53
3.92
70.94
1.81
1.06
1.00

KPa
KPa

qq =
q=
Nq =
Fqs =
Fqd =
Fqi =

q = 1/2BNFsFdFi
6,524.66
76.00
59.33
1.41
1.03
1.00

KPa
KPa

q =
=
N =
B=
Fs =
Fd =

16,740.65
9.19
83.92
30.00
1.41
1.03

Fi =

1.00

qu =

23,797.84

KPa
KPa

KPa