Chapter 11

Bearing Capacity

CHAPTER HIGHLIGHTS

☞ Introduction ☞ Types of shear failure

☞ Types of foundation ☞ Effect of water table on bearing capacity
☞ Definitions ☞ Meyerhaf’s bearing capacity theory
☞ Criteria for determination of bearing capacity ☞ Skempton’s analysis for cohesive soils
☞ Factors affecting bearing capacity ☞ Settlement analysis
☞ Compensated raft or floating raft ☞ Plate load test
☞ Methods of determination of bearing capacity

Introduction Example: Stripfooting, isolated footing or spread

footing, combined footing, strap footing, raft or mat
The loads from superstructure are transferred to the ground
foundation.
through foundation. Therefore, the foundation is to be
designed in such a way that the soil below does not fail in 2. Deep foundation: A foundation is considered deep if
shear and, also should not undergo excessive settlements. depth is greater than width.
The pressure which the soil can safely withstand without Example: Pile foundation, pier foundation, well or
shear failure and excessive settlement is known as allow- caisson foundation.
able bearing pressure or bearing capacity. Hence, the pre-
sent chapter outlines the various methods for determination
of allowable bearing pressure for different soil types, shapes
Definitions
of footing and water table effects. 1. Ultimate bearing capacity (qu): Minimum gross
pressure at the base of footing at which soils fails in
shear.
Types of Foundation 2. Net ultimate bearing capacity: The net increase in
pressure at the base of footing at which soil fails in
1. Shallow foundation: A foundation is considered shear. It is equal to gross pressure minus overburden
shallow if it’s depth is less than or equal to the width pressure.
of footing.
D qnu = qu - gDf
That is, if ≤ 1 ⇒ Shallow foundation
B Where
D qu = Ultimate bearing capacity (gross)
> 1 ⇒ Deep foundation
B g = Unit weight of foundation soil
The above values are based on Terzaghi’s criteria. Df = Depth of foundation

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3. Net safe bearing capacity (qns): It is the net soil Compensated Raft
pressure which can be safely applied without any
shear failure. or Floating Raft
For footing not backfilled:
q
qns = nu Q
F
Where,
F = Factor of safety, usually taken as 3.0.
4. Gross safe bearing capacity (qs): Maximum gross
pressure which can be applied safely without shear
failure. Df

qs = qns + γ D f
qnu
qs = + γ Df B
F

5. Net safe settlement pressure (qnr): It is the net

pressure which the soil can carry without exceeding Q
qn = −γ Df
the allowable settlement. The maximum allowable A
settlement, generally, varies between 25-40 mm. qn ≈ qna
6. Net allowable bearing pressure (qna): The maximum
allowable bearing pressure at which the soil neither Q
fails in shear nor undergoes excessive settlement. qna = - gDf
A
•• It is smaller of safe bearing capacity (qns) and net
safe settlement pressure (qnr). Q
= qna + gDf
A
qna = qns if qnr > qns In case of footing not backfilled, the load carrying of a foun-
qna = qnr if qns > qnr dation is increased and

Q
•• It is also known as allowable soil pressure or = γ Df
A
allowable bearing pressure or allowable bearing
capacity. If the net footing pressure reduces to zero i.e., pressure
applied is just balanced by pressure released. This is known
Criteria for Determination as the principle of compensated raft foundation.

of Bearing Capacity
Methods of Determination
1. Shear failure of the foundation or bearing capacity
failure shall not occur. of Bearing Capacity
2. The probable settlements, differential as well as
total, of the foundation must be limited to allowable
Rankine’s Analysis
magnitudes. •• An approximate and conservative method for practical
use, based on Rankine’s earth pressure theory.
•• Generally used to determine the minimum depth of
foundation.
Factors Affecting
2
Bearing Capacity Df =
q  1 − sin φ 
 
γ  1 + sin φ 
1. The nature of soil and its physical and engineering
properties. Where, q = Load intensity at base
2. The nature of foundation and other factors, such as
shapes, size, depth below the ground surface and
Terzaghi’s Bearing Capacity Theory
rigidity of the structure. Assumptions:
3. Location of ground water table. 1. Footing base is rough and is laid at a shallow depth
4. Initial stresses, if any. (i.e., Df < B).

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2. The shear strength of soil above the base of footing 4. Footing is long, i.e., L/B ratio is infinite, where B is
is neglected. The soil above the base is replaced by a width and L is the length of the footing.
uniform surface, gDf  . 5. Shear strength of soil is governed by Mohr–Coulomb
3. The load on the footing is vertical and uniformly equation.
distributed.

GS

Df

γ Df γ Df
− qu −
A B
G ϕ ϕ E
⎛ ϕ⎛ ⎛ ϕ⎛ ⎛ ϕ⎛ ⎛ ϕ⎛
⎜45° − 2 ⎜ ⎜⎝45° − 2 ⎜⎝ ⎜45°
⎝
− 2⎜
⎝
⎜45° − 2⎜
⎝
⎝ ⎝ ⎝

I
III III

II II

F
D

Terzaghi analysis zones

Zones: Zone I is elastic zone, zone II is radial shear zone For clays
and zone III is passive zone.
qu = 5.7c + gDf
Terzaghis Bearing Capacity Equation qnu = 5.7c

qu = CNc + gDf  Nq + 0.5 gBNg 1

qs = [5.7c] + γ D f
qu = CNc + q0Nq + 0.5gBNg F

Where, Nc, Nq, Ng are bearing capacity factors which Bearing capacity of square and circular footing
depends on the angle of shearing resistance (f) and are the 1. Square footing:
dimensionless numbers. qu = 1.2CNc + gDf  Nq + 0.4gBNg
qu = Ultimate bearing capacity of a strip footing
net ultimate bearing capacity, qnu = qu - gDf  . Where, B is the dimension of each side of footing.
qnu = CNc + gDf(Nq - 1) + 0.5gBNg 2. Circular footing:
qu = 1.2 CNc + gDf  Nq + 0.3 gBNg
Safe bearing capacity
Where, B is the diameter of footing.
1
qs = (CN c + γ D f ( N q − 1) + 0.5γ BN γ ) + γ D f 3. Rectangular footing:
F
qu = CNc (1 + 0.2B/L) + gDf  Nq + 0.5 gBNg(1 - 0.2 B/L)
For pure cohesive soils (f = 0°)
Nc= 5.7, Nq =1.0, Ng = 0.0 Where,
L = Length of footing

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Types of Shear Failure 2. If failure strain is less than 5%, general shear failure
will occur and local shear failure occurs at a failure
Vesic classified the bearing capacity failures into three
strain of 10–20%.
categories. These are:
3. It relative density is greater than 70%, general shear
1. General shear failure:
failure would occur and if it is less than 35% local
•• It occurs in dense sand or stiff clay.
shear occurs.
•• A heave on the sides is always observed in general
shear failure. 4. If N > 30, GSF occurs and if N < 5, LSF occurs.
•• The failure surfaces extend up to the ground leve. 5. If e < 0.55, GSF occurs. If e > 0.75, LSF occurs.
qu
q Ultimate Bearing Capacity in Case
of Local Shear Failure
· Terzaghi has given the ultimate bearing capacity for
strip footing considering general shear failure.
· In case of local shear failure, corrections are to be
S applied.
General shear failure ⇒ For local shear failure,
qu = cm N c′ + γ D f N q′ + 0.5γ BN y′
2. Local shear failure:
•• It occurs in medium-dense sand or on in clay of Where
medium consistency.
2
•• Failure surface extend to the ground surface after cm = Mobilized cohesion = c
considerable vertical movement. 3
•• A heave is observed only when there is a substan- N c′ , N q′ , N γ′ are based on mobilized angle of shear-
tial vertical settlement. ing resistance (fm).
qu fm = Mobilized angle of internal friction
q
fm = tan-1(2/3 tan f)
Cm and fm are empirical reduction to the actual
cohesion and angle of shearing resistance given by
Terzaghi.
S
Local shear failure Effect of Water Table
3. Punching shear failure: on Bearing Capacity
•• It occurs in loose sand or soft clay. •• The bearing capacity equation is developed based on the
•• No heave is observed and failure surface does not assumption that water table is at a greater depth.
extend upto the ground level. •• The correction factors need to be applied if WT lies above
•• Only vertical movement of footing. and below the footing.
qu
q
Zw1

Df

S Zw2
B
Punching shear failure
B
S

Criteria for General Shear Failure

and Local Shear Failure
•• Bearing capacity equation after the application of water
1. For a cohesionless soil, if f is >36°, a general shear table correction factor is:
failure is likely to occur and, if f < 29°, local shear qu = CNc + gDf  NqRw1 + 0.5 gBNg Rw2
failure occurs.

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Where, Rw1 and Rw2 are correction factors for WT. qnu 836.4
=
Factor of safety =
 Zw  qn 329.6
Rw1 = 0.50 1 + 1 
 D f  = 2.54.
(b) Water table is at 1.2 m below the ground level
 Zw  In this case, water table is below the footing use g ′ for 3rd
Rw2 = 0.50 1 + 2  term (0.4 gBNg) and g for 2nd term (gDNq).
 B 
\ qnu = 1.2CNc + gDf  (Nq) + 0.4 g ′BNg - gDf
Range of Rw1 and Rw2 is from 0.50 to 1.0. Where, c = 0 for sand and g = 17 kN/m3
g ′ = gsat - gw

SOLVED EXAMPLES = 20 - 10
g ′ = 10 kN/m3
Example 1
\ qnu = (17 × 1.2 × 22) + (0.4 × 10 × 3 × 20) - 17 × 1.2
A footing of 3 m square carries a gross pressure of 350 kN/
m2 at a depth of 1.2 m in sand. The saturated unit weight of qnu = 668.4 kN/m2
sand is 20 kN/m3 and the unit weight above the water table qnu
is 17 kN/m3. The shear strength parameters are c = 0 and f Factor of safety =
qn
= 30° [for f = 30°, Nq = 22 and Ng = 20]. Determine the fac-
tor of safety with respect to shear failure for the following 668.4
= = 2.03.
cases. [GATE, 2000] 329.6
(a) Water table is 5 m below the ground level.
(b) Water table is at 1.2 m below the ground level.
Meyerhaf’s Bearing
GL
Capacity Theory
Df = 1.2 m The important difference between Meyerhof ’s and Terzaghi’s
theory is that the Meyerhof’s theory considers the shearing
5m S 3m resistance of the soil above the base of the foundation, while
3m the Terzaghi’s theory neglects it and failure surface extends
up to the ground level in case of Meyerhof’s theory and up
to foundation level in case of Terzaghi’s theory.
S
F E
Solution Df
III D
(a) WT is 5 m below ground level A B 90 − ϕ
Since WT is 5 m below the ground level, there is no effect
of water table. I II

\ qu = 1.2CNc + gDf  Nq + 0.4gBNg , for square footing.

C Logarithmic
For sand, C = 0 spiral
\ qu = gDf  Nq + 0.4 gBNg
= [17 × 1.2 × 22] + (0.4 × 17 × 3 × 20)
qu = 856.8 kN/m2 Zones
qnu = qu - gDf Zone I: Elastic zone (ABC) - AC and BC make an angle
= 856.8 - (17 × 1.2)  φ
varied between f and  45° +  .
qnu = 836.4 kN/m2  2
External net pressure Zone II: Radial shear zone (BCD) The curved rupture sur-
qn = Gross pressure - Overburden pressure faces were assumed to be logarithmic spiral.
= 350 - gDf = 350—17(1.2) Zone III: Mixed shear zone (BDEF). In this zone, shear
qn = 329.6 kN/m2 varies between plane shear and radial shear.

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•• Meyerhof ’s equation for the ultimate Bearing capacity of Settlement Analysis

strip footing is given by:
1. Loads for settlement analysis:
qu = CNc + gDNq + 0.5gBNg •• Dead load and live load are considered only in the
design if wind load is <25% of the combined dead
Where, Nc, Nq, Ng are Meyerhof’s bearing capacity and live load.
factors. •• When wind (or seismic) load is >25% of the com-
•• Nc, Nq, Nr depends on roughness of base, depth of footing bined dead and live load, the foundation is designed
and the shape of footing in addition to the angle of shear- such that the pressure due to combination of dead,
ing resistance (f). live and wind (seismic) loads do not exceed the
allowable bearing capacity by more than 25%.
NOTE •• In case of coarse-grained soils, the settlements
The main advantage of the Meyerhof ’s theory is that it should be estimated corresponding to dead load,
can also be used for deep foundations and for footings on live load and wind (seismic) load.
slopes. •• In case of fine-grained soils, settlements are
estimated corresponding to permanent loads.
Generally, dead load and one-half of live load is
Skempton’s Analysis taken as permanent load.
for Cohesive Soils 2. Immediate settlement in cohesive soils (Elastic
•• Skempton proposed the bearing capacity equation only settlement): The linear theory of elasticity is used
for purely cohesive soils. to determine the vertical elastic settlement of the
•• Skempton’s observations based on investigations founded footing on saturated clay.
that the factor Nc depends on the depth of foundation and Immediate settlement
also its shape.
1 − µ 2 
•• The net ultimate bearing capacity is given by si = q ⋅ B  
 Es 
qnu = CNc
Where
Wherein, Nc is given as follows:
q = Net intensity of contact pressure (kN/m2)
For strip footing
B = Least lateral dimension of loaded area (m)
 Df  Es = Undrained modulus of elasticity (kN/m2)
N c = 5 1 + 0.2 
 B  I = Influence factor, depends on rigidity and shape
of loaded area
With a limiting value of Nc of 7.5 for Df  /B > 2.5
m = p Pison’s ratio of the soil
For square or circular footings
The values of the influence factor ‘I’ for saturated
 Df  clay is given in the following table.
N c = 6 1 + 0.2 
 B 
Values of Influence Factor I
(B is side of square or diameter of circular footing) Shape Flexible Footing Rigid Footing
With a limiting value of Nc of 9.0 for Df  /B > 2.5. Centre Corner Average
For Rectangular footing,
Circle 1.0 0.64 (edge) 0.85 0.79

 B Df  Rectangle 1.12 0.56 0.95 0.90

N c = 5 1 + 0.2  1 + 0.2  L/B = 1.0
 L  B 
L/B = 1.5 1.36 0.68 1.20 1.09
Df L/B = 2.0 1.53 0.77 1.31 1.22
for ≤ 2.5 and
B L/B = 5.0 2.10 1.05 1.83 1.70

 B Df
N c = 7.5 1 + 0.2  for > 2.5
 L B NOTES
1. The aforementioned theory is valid for foundations
Where located at ground surface.
B = Width of rectangular footing 2. Depth factor correction is to be applied for footings
L = Length of rectangular footing located at certain depth.

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Plate Load Test •• The relations between the settlements of the plate (Sp)
and that of foundation (Sf) for the same load intensity are
•• In plate load test, a test pit of width of size equal to five
given below.
times the width of plate and depth equal to the depth of
the foundation (Df) is to be excavated. (a) For clayey soils:
•• Test plates are usually square or circular in shape. Bf
•• Size of plate varying from 300-750 mm is used and mini- S f = Sp ×
Bp
mum thickness recommended is 25 mm.
Bf (b) For sandy soils:
2
 B f ( B p + 0.3) 
S f = Sp  
 B p ( B f + 0.3) 
In the above equations, Bf is the width of the
Df foundation in meters and Bp is the width of the plate
Central
hole also in meters.

Dp Limitations of the Plate Load Test

Bp
1. Size effect: The results of a plate load test do not
directly reflect the bearing capacity of the foundation
since the size of test plate and foundation are different.
•• The maximum load that is to be applied corresponds The ultimate bearing capacity of saturated clays is
to 1.50 times the probable ultimate load or 3 times the independent of the size of the plate. For cohesionless
allowed bearing pressure. soils, it increases with the size of plate.
•• The ultimate load for the plate qu( p) is indicated by a
2. Time effect: Plate load test is a short duration test
break on the log-log plot between the load intensity (q)
and, hence does not give the ultimate settlement for
and the settlement.
clayey soils.
•• On the natural plot, the ultimate load is obtained from the
intersection of tangents as shown. 3. Water table: The level of water table affects the
qu(P)
bearing capacity of sandy soils. If the water table is
q above the level of the footing, it should be lowered
just below the footing level. Even if water table is
located within 1 m below the footing test should be
conducted at the level of W.T itself.

Example 2
A plate load test was conducted in sand on a 300 mm diam-
eter plate. If the plate settlement was 5 mm at a pressure of
100 kPa, the settlement (in mm) of a 5 m × 8 m rectangular
footing at the same pressure will be [GATE, 2001]
S (A) 9.4 (B) 18.6
(C) 12.7 (D) 17.8
•• If the break is not well-defined, the ultimate load is taken
as that corresponding to a settlement of one-fifth of plate Solution
width (Bp). For cohesionless soils, such as sand:
•• The ultimate bearing capacity of the proposed foundation 2
qu(  f  ) can be obtained from the following relations. Sf  B f ( B p + 0.3) 
= 
(a) For clayey soils: S p  B p ( B f + 0.3) 
qu(  f  ) = qu( p) Where Bf and Bp to be used in m.
Given,
(b) For sandy soils: Sp = 5 mm
Bf Bf = 5 m, Bp = 0.3 m
qu ( f ) = qu ( p) ×
BP Sf  5(0.3 + 0.3) 
2
∴ = S = 17.80 mm.
Where, Bf = Foundation width 5  0.3(5 + 0.3)  f

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Exercises

1. The width and depth of a footing are 2 m and 1.5 m (A) 9.4 (B) 18.6
respectively. The water table at the site is at a depth (C) 12.7 (D) 17.8
of 3 m below the ground level. The water table 8. The figure given below represents the contact pressure
correction factor for the calculation of the bearing distribution underneath a
capacity of soil is
(A) 0.875 (B) 1.000
(C) 0.925 (D) 0.500 Footing
2. The following two statements are made with reference
to the calculation of net bearing capacity of a footing in
pure clay soil (ϕ = 0) using Terzaghi’s bearing capacity
theory. Identity if they are true of false.
I. Increase in footing width will result in increase in
bearing capacity. F
II. Increase in depth of foundation will result in higher
bearing capacity. (A) rigid footing on saturated clay.
(A) Both statements are true. (B) rigid footing on sand.
(B) Both statements are false. (C) flexible footing on saturated clay.
(C) I is true but II is false. (D) flexible footing on sand.
(D) I is false but II is true. 9. Bearing capacity of a soil strata supporting a footing of
3. In a plate load test conducted on cohesion less soil, a size 3 m × 3 m will not be affected by the presence of
600 mm square test plate settles by 15 mm under a load ground water table located at a depth which is
intensity of 0.2 N/mm2. All conditions remaining the (A) 1.0 m below the base of the footing.
same, settlement of a 1 m square footing will be (B) 1.5 m below the base of the footing.
(A) less than 15 mm (B) greater than 25 mm (C) 2.5 m below the base of the footing.
(C) 15.60 mm (D) 20.50 mm (D) 3 m below the base of the footing.
4. Two circular footings of diameters D1 and D2 are rest- 10. Terzaghi’s consolidation theory is applicable to
ing on the surface of the same purely cohesive soil. The (A) for small load increment ratios.
ratio of their gross ultimate bearing capacities is (B) for large load increment ratios.
D (C) for a load increment ratio of nearly one.
(A) 1 (B) 1.0
D2 (D) in situations where there is no excess pore pressure.
D 11. As per Terzaghi’s equation, the bearing capacity of strip
(C) D12 D22 D (D) 2
D1 footing resting on cohesive soil (c = 10 kN/m2) for unit
depth and unit width (assume Nc as 5.7) is
5. The ultimate bearing capacity of a sol is 300 kN/m2. (A) 47 kN/m2
The depth of foundation is 1 m and unit weight of soil
(B) 57 kN/m2
is 20 kN/m3. Choosing a factor of safety of 2.5, the net
(C) 67 kN/m2
safe bearing capacity is (D) 77 kN/m2
(A) 100 kN/m2 (B) 112 kN/m2
12. The minimum bearing capacity of a soil under a given
(C) 80 kN/m2 (D) 100.5 kN/m2
footing occurs when the groundwater table at the loca-
6. Two footings, one circular and the other square, are tion is at
founded on the surface of a purely cohesionless soil. (A) the bases of the footing.
The diameter of the circular footing is same as that of (B) the ground level.
the side of the square footing. The ratio of their ulti- (C) a depth equal to one-half the width of footing.
mate bearing capacities is (D) a depth equal to the width of footing.
3 4 13. A strip footing having 1.5 m width founded at a depth
(A) (B)
4 3 of 3 m below ground level in a clay soil having c =
(C) 1.0 (D) 1.3 20 kN/m2. ϕ = 0° and unit weight γ = 20 kN/m2. What
is the net ultimate bearing capacity using Skempton’s
7. A plate load test was conducted in sand on a diameter
analysis?
plate. If the plate settlement was 5 mm at a pressure of
100 kPa, the settlement (in mm) of a 5 m × 8 m rectan- (A) 30 kN/m2 (B) 60 kN/m2
(C) 100 kN/m 2 (D) 140 kN/m2
gular footing at the same pressure will be

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14. The bearing capacity factors Nc, Nq and Nγ are

Load
functions of
(A) width and depth of footing.
(B) density of soil. L
(C) cohesion of soil. K
(D) angle of internal friction of soil. J

15. A strip footing (8 m wide) is designed for a total set-

tlement of 40 mm. The safe bearing capacity (shear)
Settlement
was 150 kN/m2 and safe allowable soil pressure was
100 kN/m2. Due to importance of the structure, now the
Group I Group II
footing to be redesigned for total settlement of 25 mm.
P. Curve J 1. No apparent heaving of soil around the
The new width of footing will be
footing
(A) 5 m (B) 8 m
Q. Curve K 2. Rankine’s passive zone develops
(C) 12 m (D) 12.8 m imperfectly
R. Curve L 3. Well defined slip surface extends to
Direction for question 16 and 17 ground surface
A column is supported on a footing as shown in the given
figure. The water table is at a depth of 10 m below the base (A) P – 1; Q – 3; R – 2
of the footing (B) P – 3; Q – 2; R – 1
(C) P – 3; Q – 1; R – 2
(D) P – 1; Q – 2; R – 3
Column
20. A footing of 3 m × 2 m exerts uniform pressure of 150
kN/m2 on soil.
Assuming a load dispersion of 2 vertical to 1 horizon-
tal, the average vertical stress (kN/m2) at 1 m below the
footing is
sand
(A) 50 (B) 80
1.0 m (C) 45 (D) 100
γ = 18 kN/m3
Nq = 24 Footing 21. Which of the following is true for general shear failure?
Nγ = 20 (A) ID < 20% (B) e > 0.75
(C) N > 30 (D) N < 5
1.5 m × 3.0 m
22. The ultimate bearing capacity (qf) and net ultimate
bearing capacity (qnf  ) are connected by relation
16. The net ultimate bearing capacity (kN/m2) of the foot-
(A) qnf = qf + γD
ing based on Terzahi’s bearing capacity equations
(A) 216 (B) 432 (B) qf = qnf + γD
(C) 630 (D) 846 (C) qf = qnf/F + γD
17. The safe load (kN) that the footing can carry with a (D) qf = (qnf + γD)/F
factor of safety 3 is 23. The allowable settlement for isolated foundations as
(A) 282 (B) 648 per in sand and hard clay is
(C) 945 (D) 1269 (A) 75 mm (B) 50 mm
18. An embankment is to be constructed with a granu- (C) 100 mm (D) 80 mm
lar soil (bulk unit weight = 20 kNm3) on a saturated 24. A plate load test is conducted on sand on a 500 mm
clayey slit deposit (underained shear strength = 25 kPa) diameter plate. If the plate settlement is 10 mm at a
Assuming undrained general shear failure and bearing pressure of 200 kPa, the settlement of 0.5 m × 8 m foot-
capacity factor of 5.7, the maximum height (in m) of ing will be
the embankment at the point of failure is (A) 17 mm (B) 20.3 mm
(A) 7.1 (B) 5.0 (C) 23.7 mm (D) 18.6 mm
(C) 4.5 (D) 2.5 25. When the water table rises to ground level in case of
19. Group I contains representative load settlement curves cohesion less soil, the bearing capacity is reduced
for different modes of bearing capacity failures of sandy by ______. If it is cohesive soil, the reduction will
soil. Group II enlists the various failure characteristics. be ______.
Match the load settlement curves with the correspond- (A) 20%, 50% (B) 40%, negligible
ing failure characteristics. (C) 50%, negligible (D) negligible, 50%

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26. Which of the following is false according to terzaghi’s of concrete (EC = 30 GPa and μ = 0.15). Considering
theory? the raft as rigid, the elastic settlement (in mm) is (Take
(A) Zone I is elastic zone I = 0.8)
(B) Zone II is radial shear zone (A) 12.96 mm (B) 16.71 mm
(C) Zone III is Rankine’s passive zone (C) 13.34 mm (D) 17.72 mm
(D) Zone IV is surcharge zone 32. What is the safe bearing capacity of a rectangular foot-
27. The vertical stress at some depth below the centre of ing 2 m × 4 m, placed at a depth of 3 m in a saturated
3 m × 4 m rectangular footing due to certain load inten- clay having unit weight 19 kN/m3 and unconfined com-
sity is 100 kN/m2. What will be the vertical stress in pressive strength of 120 kN/m2. Assume a factor of
kN/m2 below the corner of 1.5 m × 2 m rectangular safety of 2.5. Use Skempton’s theory.
footing at the same depth and same load intensity? (A) 180 kPa (B) 330 kPa
28. An unsupported excavation is made to the maximum (C) 230 kPa (D) 460 kPa
depth in a clay soil having γ = 21 kN/m3, C = 80 kN/m2 33. A settlement of 5 mm was noted under a pressure inten-
and ϕ = 30°. What will be the active earth at pressure sity in a plate load test with size of plate was 30 × 30
the base level of excavation, according to Rankine’s cm in a sandy soil. Then the settlement under a footing
theory? of size 1.50 × 1.50 m under the same pressure intensity
(A) 184.8 kN/m2 (B) 92.4 kN/m2 (in mm) is ______.
(C) 1462.4 kN/m2 (D) 277.18 kN/m2 (A) 13.9 (B) 12.5
29. A square footing of size 5 m × 5 m is resting on the sur- (C) 11.6 (D) 10.7
face of a deposit of saturated clay having an unconfined 34. A circular raft foundation of 20 m diameter and 1.8 m
compressive strength of 54 kPa. What will be the net thick is provided for a tank that applies a bearing pres-
safe bearing capacity of the footing (in kPa) if factor of sure of 110 kPa on sandy soil with Young’s modulus, Es
safety is given as 2.5? = 30 MPa and Poisson’s ratio, μs = 0.3. The raft is made
30. In a plate load test with size of plate 30 × 30 cm; bear- of concrete (Ec = 30 GPa and μc = 0.15) considering the
ing capacity and settlement were noted as 15 kPa and raft as rigid, the elastic settlement in mm is ______.
6 mm respectively in a sandy soil. Then find the bearing (A) 50.3 mm (B) 53.3 mm
capacity and settlement under a footing of size 2.1 m (C) 56.3 mm (D) 59.3 mm
× 2.1 m under the same pressure intensity. 35. A test plate 30 cm × 30 cm resting on a sand deposit
(A) 15 kPa and 42 mm (B) 15 kPa and 18.4 mm settles by 10 mm under a certain loading intensity.
(C) 105 kPa and 18.4 mm (D) 105 kPa and 42 mm A footing of 150 cm × 200 cm resting on the same
sand deposit and loaded to same load intensity settles
31. A circular raft foundation of 10 m diameter and 0.8 m
by ______.
thick is provided for a tank that applies a bearing pres-
(A) 2 mm (B) 27.8 mm
sure of 55 kPa on sandy soil with youngs modulus, Es′
(C) 3.02 mm (D) 50 mm
= 30 MPa and Poissons ratio, μ = 0.3. The raft is made

Previous Years’ Questions

1. The bearing capacity of a rectangular footing of plan deposit and loaded to the same load intensity settles
dimension 1.5 m × 3 m resting on the surface of a by [GATE, 2008]
sand deposit was estimated as 600 kN/m2 when the (A) 2.0 mm (B) 27.8 mm
water table is far below the base of the footing. The (C) 3.02 mm (D) 50.0 mm
bearing capacities in kN/m2 when the water level rises 3. A plate load test is carried out on a 300 mm × 300
to depths of 3 m, 1.5 m and 0.5 m below the base of mm plate placed at 2 m below the ground level to
the footing are  [GATE, 2007] determine the bearing capacity of a 2 m × 2 m foot-
(A) 600, 600, 400 ing placed at same depth of 2 m on a homogeneous
(B) 600, 450, 350 sand deposit extending 10 m below ground level. The
(C) 600, 500, 250 ground water table is 3 m below the ground level.
(D) 600, 400, 250 Which of the following factors does not require a cor-
2. A test plate 30 cm × 30 cm resting on a sand deposit rection to the bearing capacity determined based on
settles by 10 mm under a certain loading intensity. A the load test?
footing 150 cm × 200 cm resisting on the same sand  [GATE, 2009]

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 3.548 | Part III ■ Unit 7 ■ Geotechnical Engineering

(A) Absence of the overburden pressure during the 9. A strip footing is resting on the surface of a purely
test. clayey soil deposit. If the width of the footing is
(B) Size of the plate is much smaller than the footing doubled, the ultimate bearing capacity of the soil
size.  [GATE, 2016]
(C) Influence of the ground water table. (A) becomes double. (B) become half.
(D) Settlement is recorded only over a limited period (C) becomes four-times. (D) remains the same.
of one or two days 10. A 4 m wide strip footing is founded at a depth of 1.5
m below the ground surface in a c-ϕ soil as shown
Direction for questions 4 and 5: in the figure. The water table is at a depth of 5.5 m
The unconfined compressive strength of a saturated clay below ground surface. The soil properties are: c′ = 35
sample is 54 kPa.  [GATE, 2010] kN/m2, ϕ′ = 28.63°, γsat = 19 kN/m3, γbulk = 17 kN/m3
4. The value of cohesion for the clay is and γw = 9.81 kN/m3. The values of bearing capacity
(A) Zero (B) 13.5 kPa factors for different ϕ’ are given below.[GATE, 2016]
(C) 27 kPa (D) 54 kPa
5. If a square footing of size 4 m × 4 m is resting on ϕ′ Nc Nq Ng
the surface of a deposit of the above clay, the ulti- 15° 12.9 4.4 2.5
mate bearing capacity of the footing (as per Terzaghi’s 20° 17.7 7.4 5.0
equation) is 25° 25.1 12.7 9.7
(A) 1600 kPa (B) 316 kPa
30° 37.2 22.5 19.7
(C) 200 kPa (D) 100 kPa
6. Likelihood of general shear failure for an isolated
footing in sand decreases with  [GATE, 2011]
(A) decreasing footing depth.
(B) decreasing inter granular packing of the sand.
(C) increasing footing width.
(D) decreasing soil grain compressibility. 1.5 m
7. Four columns of a building are to be located within a
plot size of 10 m × 10 m. The expected load on each
column is 4000 kN. Allowable bearing capacity of the 4m
soil deposit is 100 kN/m2. The type of foundation best
5.5 m
suited is  [GATE, 2013]
(A) isolated footing.
(B) raft foundation.
(C) pile foundation.
(D) combined footing.
8. A square footing (2 m × 2 m) is subjected to an
inclined point load, P as shown in the given figure.
The water table is located well below the base of the
footing. Consideration one-way eccentricity, the net Using Terzaghi’s bearing capacity equation and a fac-
safe load carrying capacity of the footing for a factor tor of safety Fs = 2.5, the net safe bearing capacity
of safety of 3.0, is ______ kN. [GATE, 2015] (expressed in kN/m2) for local shear failure of the soil
is __________.
The following factors may be used:
Bearing capacity factors, Nq = 33.3; Nγ = 37.16; Shape
factors, Fqs = Fγ s = 1.314; Depth factors, Fqd = Fγ d =
1.113; Inclination factors, Fqi = 0.444, Fγ i = 0.02.
P

GL

30° 1m

0.85 m
Unit weight = 18 kN/m3
2m
Cohesion = 0
Friction angle = 35°

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Answer Keys

Exercises
1. A 2. B 3. D 4. B 5. B 6. A 7. D 8. A 9. D 10. A
11. B 12. B 13. D 14. D 15. D 16. C 17. C 18. A 19. A 20. C
21. C 22. B 23. B 24. C 25. C 26. D 27. 25 28. B 29. 80 30. C
31. C 32. C 33. A 34. B 35. B

Previous Years’ Questions

1. A 2. B 3. C 4. C 5. C 6. B 7. C 8. 450 9. D
10. 298.50

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