Geotechnical

Engineering B Foundations
Example for Shallow Footing
Foundation
Design
 B1-structure
NZ BLDG Code formula Acceptable
Solutions
Generalised bearing capacity formula
Verification
Methods
qu = SC cNC + Sq (Ai Zi)Nq + S ½(B B)N
Page: 54

NZ BLDG Code formula

qu = cs cd ci cg [c’ Nc] + qs qd qi qg [(Ai Zi) Nq] + s d i g [½ (B B) N]

s = Shape factors This is another symbol for the shape factor S used in the
preceding sections of this module.

d = Depth factors Allow for an increase in bearing capacity if the depth (D) of
the foundation is greater than the breadth (B).

i = Load inclination factors Allows for horizontal forces applied to the

foundation.

g = Ground inclination factors Allows for the situation where the ground surface
slopes down within close proximity to the
foundation.
 A building on a site is to be designed with shallow
footing founded at a depth of 1.2m in the sandy CLAY
layer.

Proposed Footing are 1.6m long by 1.4m wide and 0.5

m thick. The unit weight of the concrete is 24kN/m3.
The factored design loading on each footing consists of
two vertical loads P1 & P2 of 100kN & 80kN which are
located as shown in Fig below , the self weight of the
footing applied at the centroid and two factored
moments applied as shown in Figure.
Example 1
 Table 1: Borelog for Example 1

Depth Description Unit Weight kN/m3 Shear

below Parameters
Surface m Bulk Saturated

0-0.3m TOPSOIL 12 ----- -----

0.3 -4 m Stiff yellow brown Su =80 kPa

sandy CLAY 16 17 C’ = 60 kPa
Φ’ = 15o

Example 1 4-6m Stiff red brown

Silty CLAY
-----
18
C’ = 60 kPa
Φ’ = 10o

6-10m Medium dense ----- C’ = 0

green SAND 18 Φ’ = 20o
R.D = 50%
-----
10-15m Soft dark brown C’ = 20 kPa
14
peaty CLAY Φ’ = 0o

15-30m Dense grey C’ = 0

----- 19
rounded GRAVEL Φ ‘ = 36o
R.D. = 65%
End of Bore 30 m
 I. Calculate the self weight of the footing and hence
determine the effective area of the foundation and
the design foundation pressure.

II. Using the geotechnical properties given in fig 1 for

the sandy CLAY check the suitability of the footing
dimensions under Long term effective stress
conditions. Load Factor for Permanent Actions is
Example 1 1.2 & the Geotechnical strength reduction
factor F will be 0.5.

III. Using the geotechnical properties given in Table 1

for the sandy CLAY check the suitability of the
footing dimensions under Short term Undrained
Conditions.
 Example 1

• Calculate the self weight of the footing and hence determine the
effective area of the foundation and the design foundation pressure.

• Self weight of footing = 1.4 x 1.6 x 0.5 x 24 = 26.88 kN

• Factored self weight of footing = 26.88 x 1.2 kN = 32.26 kN

Example 1
Vertical Horizontal
Force Moment F.y Moment F.x
Eccentricity Y Eccentricity X

Self weight
32.26kN 0.8 0.7 25.808 22.582

80 kN 0.4 0.4 32.000 32.000

100 kN 1.2 1.0 120.000 100.000

Total Force F = 212.26 kN = V

Total F.y = 177.808 kN
Total F.x = 154.582 kN
Example 1
Vertical Eccentricity of total vertical force from top left corner

Y =  F.y = 177.808 = 0.838 m

F 212.26

Horizontal Eccentricity of total vertical force from top left corner

X =  F.x = 154.582 = 0.728 m

F 212.26
Example 1

Eccentric Loads
Example 1

Take section parallel to longitudinal axis xx

exl exr
Example 1

Take Moments about Lefthand end Clockwise +ve

+(0.4 x 100) + (0.8 x 32.25) +(1.2 x 80) + (40) = R x exl

40 + 25.8+ 96 +40 = 212.25 x exl

exl = 201.8 = 0.951m

212.25

exr = 1.6-0.951= 0.649m

Effective Length L’ = 2x 0.649 = 1.298m

Example 1

Take section parallel to transverse axis yy

eyl eyr
Example 1

Take Moments about Lefthand end Clockwise +ve

+(0.4 x 100) + (0.7 x 32.25) + (1x 80) + 30 = R x eyl

40+ 24.675 +80+30 = 212.25 x eyl

eyl = 172.75 = 0.814m

212.25

exr = 1.4-0.814 = 0.586m

Effective Breadth B’ = 2x 0.586 = 1.172m

Example 1

Check edge distance B/6 = 1.4/6 = 0.233m

Min Distance of reaction from edge in vertical direction = Y+ey = 0.650m

Min Distance of reaction from edge in horizontal direction = X+ex = 0.587m

Both o.k.

Effective Area A’ = L’ x B’ = 1.3 x 1.174 = 1.526 m2

Design Foundation pressure = R/ A’ = 212.25/1.5206

= 139.070kPa = 140 kPa

Example 1

(ii) Using the geotechnical properties given in Table 1 for the sandy CLAY check the suitability of
the footing dimensions under Long term effective stress conditions.
 Table 5.1 – Bearing Capacity Factors
(source: Whitlow, R. 1995. Basic Soil Mechanics, p457)

f Nc Nq N f Nc Nq N f Nc Nq N
0 5.14 1.00 0.00 15 11.0 3.94 1.42 30 30.1 18.4 18.1
1 5.38 1.09 0.00 16 11.6 4.34 1.72 31 32.7 20.6 21.2
2 5.63 1.20 0.01 17 12.3 4.77 2.08 32 35.5 23.2 24.9
3 5.90 1.31 0.03 18 13.1 5.26 2.49 33 38.6 26.1 29.3
4 6.19 1.43 0.05 19 13.9 5.80 2.97 34 42.2 29.4 34.5

5 6.49 1.57 0.09 20 14.8 6.40 3.54 35 46.1 33.3 40.7

6 6.81 1.72 0.14 21 15.8 7.07 4.19 36 50.6 37.8 48.1

Example 1
7 7.16 1.88 0.19 22 16.9 7.82 4.96 37 55.6 42.9 56.9
8 7.53 2.06 0.27 23 18.1 8.66 5.85 38 61.4 48.9 67.4
9 7.92 2.25 0.36 24 19.3 9.60 6.89 39 67.9 56 80.1

10 8.34 2.47 0.47 25 20.7 10.7 8.11 40 75.3 64.2 95.5

11 8.80 2.71 0.60 26 22.3 11.9 9.53 41 83.9 73.9 114
12 9.28 2.97 0.76 27 23.9 13.2 11.20 42 93.7 85.4 137
13 9.81 3.26 0.94 28 25.8 14.7 13.10 43 105 99 165
14 10.4 3.59 1.16 29 27.9 16.4 15.40 44 118 115 199

Values of Nc after Prandtl 45 134 135 241

Nq after Reissner 46 152 159 294
N after Hansen 47 174 187 359
For fu = 0 see FIG 11.5 48 199 222 442
(values of Nc ) 49 230 266 548
50 267 319 682

For effective stress conditions C’ = 60kPa, f ’= 15o

qu = C’. cs.cd.ci. cg.Nc + q’.qs.qd.qi..qg Nq + 0.5.’.B’.s.d. i.N

Nc = 11, Nq = 3.9, N = 1.2

Example 1

q’ = (0.3x12)+(0.9x16) = 3.6+14.4= 18 kPa

’ = 16kN/m3

B’ = 1.174m

B’/L’ = 1.174/1.3 =0.903

Nq/Nc = 3.9/11 =0.354

Example 1

Since there are no inclined loads and the ground is not inclined

ci.=  cg = qi = qg = I = g = 1.0

cs= 1 + B’x Nq = 1+ (0.903)x(0.354)= 1+(0.775x 0.355)

L’ Nc

= 1+(0.320)

=1.320
Example 1
qs== 1+ B’ Tan f = 1+(0.903 x0.2679) = 1 + 0.242 = 1.242
L’

 s = 1 – 0.4(B’/L’) = 1-(0.4x 0.903) = 1- 0.361 = 0.639

Since f >0 & Df/B’ = 1.2/1.174= 1.02 >1

qd = 1+2Tan f (1-sinf)^2( tan-1(Df/B')

= 1+ 2(0.268)(1-0.259)2(Tan-1 1.02) in radians

= 1+2(0.268)(0.549)(0.796) = 1+0.234 = 1.234

Example 1
cd = qd – ( 1-qd) = 1.234 – (1-1.234 ) = 1.23 – (-0.223) = 1.453
Nqtanf (3.9 x 0.268)

 d = 1.0

qu = 60 x1.32 x 1.453 x 11 + 18 x 1.242 x 1.23 x 3.9 + 0.5 x 16 x 1.174 x 0.6390 x 1 x 1.2

= 1,265.8 + 107.24 + 7.2 = 1,380.27 kPa

Fqu = 1,380 / 2= 690.1 kPa> 140kPa

Therefore Footing is adequate in the Effective stress condition.

Example 1

(iii) Using the geotechnical properties given in Table 1 for the sandy CLAY check the suitability of
the footing dimensions under Short term Undrained Conditions.
 Table 5.1 – Bearing Capacity Factors
(source: Whitlow, R. 1995. Basic Soil Mechanics, p457)

f Nc Nq N f Nc Nq N f Nc Nq N
0 5.14 1.00 0.00 15 11.0 3.94 1.42 30 30.1 18.4 18.1
1 5.38 1.09 0.00 16 11.6 4.34 1.72 31 32.7 20.6 21.2
2 5.63 1.20 0.01 17 12.3 4.77 2.08 32 35.5 23.2 24.9
3 5.90 1.31 0.03 18 13.1 5.26 2.49 33 38.6 26.1 29.3
4 6.19 1.43 0.05 19 13.9 5.80 2.97 34 42.2 29.4 34.5

5 6.49 1.57 0.09 20 14.8 6.40 3.54 35 46.1 33.3 40.7

6 6.81 1.72 0.14 21 15.8 7.07 4.19 36 50.6 37.8 48.1

Example 1 7
8
9

10
11
7.16
7.53
7.92

8.34
8.80
1.88
2.06
2.25

2.47
2.71
0.19
0.27
0.36

0.47
0.60
22
23
24

25
26
16.9
18.1
19.3

20.7
22.3
7.82
8.66
9.60

10.7
11.9
4.96
5.85
6.89

8.11
9.53
37
38
39

40
41
55.6
61.4
67.9

75.3
83.9
42.9
48.9
56

64.2
73.9
56.9
67.4
80.1

95.5
114
12 9.28 2.97 0.76 27 23.9 13.2 11.20 42 93.7 85.4 137
13 9.81 3.26 0.94 28 25.8 14.7 13.10 43 105 99 165
14 10.4 3.59 1.16 29 27.9 16.4 15.40 44 118 115 199

Values of Nc after Prandtl 45 134 135 241

Nq after Reissner 46 152 159 294
N after Hansen 47 174 187 359
For fu = 0 see FIG 11.5 48 199 222 442

qu = Su. cs.cd.ci. cg.Nc + q...qg (values of Nc ) 49

50
230
267
266
319
548
682

Su = 80kPa,

Since f = 0,

Nc = 5.14, Nq = 1.0, N = 0

Since there are no inclined loads and the ground is not inclined:

ci.=  cg = qg = 1.0

Example 1
Effective Breadth B' = 1.174 m,

Effective Length L’ = 1.3 m

B’/L’ = 1.174/1.3 = 0.903

cs= 1 + B’x Nq = 1+ (0.903)x(1/5.14)= 1+(0.903x 0.1946)

L’ Nc

= 1+(0.151) =1.176

Since f=o & (Df/B’) >1

cd = 1+ 0.4(Df/B’) = 1+ (0.4 x( 1.02))= 1. 408

Example 1

qu = Su. cs.cd.ci. cg.Nc + q...qg

= (80 x 1.176 x1.408 x5.14)+ {(0.3 x 12)+(0.9 x 16)}x1.0

= 680.9 +36 = 716.9 kPa

F . qu = 0.5 x 716.9 = 358.4 kPa > 140 kPa

Therefore Footing is adequate in the Undrained condition as well.

 Example 2 Note: The footing self-load is not included in the load P1*

P1* = 150kN
P = 150kN
*
Load factor * Vol * Specific weight
1
M yy* = 20kNm
M xx* = 40kNm Self weight = 1.2*1*1.8*.5*24
= 25.92 kN

500
M yy* = 20kNm M xx*
P1* 
X
 X
X
X
 conc = 24 kN/m3

500
  


500
M yy*
X

800 100
 Y
e
800 1000 R

PLAN VIEW OF FOOTING ELEVATION

Example 2 Note: The footing self-load is not included in the load P1*

The question being asked is:-

1. Based on the above information, what is the size of the stress block and the
pressure on the underside of the footing?

2. Based on a silty clay soil type, what are the short term the long-term foundation
bearing capacities of the soil immediately below the footing?
Example 2 Note: The footing self-load is not included in the load P1*

su = 75 kPa Short Term Undrained

 = 18 kN/M3

c’ = 12.5 kPa
f’ = 250 Long Term Drained
’ = 8.2 kPa

(assume that in the long term the silty clay may become fully saturated and use Øbc = 0.5).
 P1* = 150kN
Load factor * Vol * Specific weight
M yy* = 20kNm Self weight = 1.2*1*1.8*.5*24
= 25.92 kN


 conc = 24 kN/m3

500
Example 2 800 100
Solution to Q1 e
R

Take moments about the left-hand side of the footing shown n the elevation above.

R*ex = 150*0.8 + 25.92*0.9 – 20 = 123.3 kNm

 ex = 123.3/(150+25.92)

= 0.701 m

Now take moments in a similar way about the X-X axis again from the LH side.

R*ey = 150*0.5 + 25.92*0.5 – 40 = 47.96 kNm

 ey = 47.96/(150+25.92)

= 0.273 m
 Y

500
P1* M xx*
X X
X X

Example 2  

500
*
M yy
X

 Y

800 1000

NOTE:

Clause 3.1.4 of B1/NZBC (Page 58)

says e <= B/6, L/6.

i.e. in this case

minimum ex = 1800/6 = 300 mm

and

minimum ey = 1000/6 = 167 mm

 Example 2
The co-ordinates (ex, ey) are the centre of the rectangle that resists the vertical load and moment
actions on this footing.
Y

M yy*
X

500
P1* M xx*
 X X
X
X
 
546

500
Y
1402

800 1000
Example 2
Resulting Base Pressure, P = (150 + 25.92)/(1.402 x .546) = 229.8 kPa

Solution to Q2  Df   .5 
•For short term condition i.e., undrained analysis (f = 0) cd = 1+ 0.4   '  =1+ 0.4    = 1.366
B   .546 
Use qu = sucscdcicgNc + qgq
cs = 1 +  B    N q  = 1 + 0.546  1 = 1.076
'

Where Nc = 5.14 su = 75 kPa

  L'   N 
   c 1.402 5.14
ci = 1 (no lateral load) cg = qg = 1 (ground not sloping)
 Example 2
f = 0, and Df/B’ < 1

∴ Øbcqu = 0.5 (75 x 1.076 x 1.366 x 5.14 + 18) = 292 kPa

b) For long term cndition i.e., drained analysis with saturated condition:
Use qu = c’cscdcicgNc + q’qsqdqiqgNq +1/2'B’sdigN

q’ = 8.2 x 0.5 = 4.1 kPa (effective stress at underside of footing i.e. at 0.5m)
 f
Nq = e tan f tan 2  45 +  = 10.66
 2
Nc. = (Nq – 1) cotf = 20.72
N = 2(Nq – 1) tanf = 9.01

Example 2

 B'   N  0.546 10.66

cs = 1+     q  = 1+  = 1.200
' N 1.402 20.72
L
   c 

 '
qs = 1+  B   tan f = 1+ 0.546  tan25 = 1.182
' 1.402
 L 

 B'  0.546
 =
s 1 - 0.4   '  = 1 - 0.4  1.402 = 0.844
 L 

 Df  0.5
qd = 1+ 2tan f (1 - sin f )2    = 1+ 2tan25(1 - sin25)2
 = 1.285
' 0.546
  
B


 Example 2
* Note tan-1 is in radians, f > 0, and Df/B’ < 1

cd = qd -
(
1 - qd )
= 1.285 -
1 -1.285
= 1.342
N q tan f 10.66tan25

d = 1 (same for all cases) ci =1 (no lateral load) cg = qg = g = 1 (ground not sloping)


∴ Øbcqu = 0.5(12.5 x 1.200 x 1.342 x 20.72 + 4.1 x 1.182 x 1.285 x 10.66 + 0.5 x 8.2 x0.546 x 0.844 x 9.01)

= 0.5(417.1 + 66.4 + 17.0) = 250.3 kPa

Therefore, footing is adequate in both long- and short-term cases.