ANDREW CESAR P.

VALEZA
BSCE-4B
2018-00480

CASE STUDY NO. 7 IN PCS5

Andrew Cesar P. Valeza
SOIL EFFECTS ON FOUNDATION
Abstract: This study aimed to obtain the maximum magnitudes of the bending moment, shear
and axial forces for dense and soft soil. The critical loading conditions were applied that would
cause maximum bending moments, shear and axial forces. Results showed that the maximum
value for bending moment in beams is equal to 2114.603 kN-m for dense soil and 2416.335 for
the soft soil. For the shear force, the maximum value for the dense soil is 697.335 kN and for the
soft soil the value is 529.99 kN. And finally for the maximum value for the axial force, for dense
soil it’s 126.338 kN and for the soft soil the value is 121.062 kN.
I. INTRODUCTION
In this case study, the structure that will be designed is a gabled frame having a height of
10.5 m and a length of 27 m. The structure is designed as a steel structure which uses a two
different kind of w-shaped beam, for the rafters W21x68 will be used and for the columns
W27x84 will be used. Two classifications of soil will be used to produce the result that is
needed. One is the dense soil, which has a spring support stiffness of KFX=788,080 kN/m,
KFY= 262,690kN/m and KMZ=4732 kNm/deg. Another one is the soft soil that has a spring
support stiffness of KFX=42,030 kN/m, KFY=17,513 kN/m and KMZ=303 kNm/deg.

II. STRUCTURAL MODEL AND LOADS

III. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

DENSE

SOFT SOIL

Figure 1: Bending Moments due to Dead Load

 DENSE

SOFT SOIL

Figure 2: Bending Moments due to Wind Load

DENSE
 SOFT SOIL

Figure 3: Bending Moments due to load combination 0.9D+1.6W

Table 1: Maximum Bending Moments

Bending Moment: From figures 1 and 2, it shows that soft soil has a larger bending moment
compared to the dense soil due to the loading conditions. The maximum bending moments on the
rafters and columns for both structures was obtained due to the load combination 0.9D+1.6W.
For the soft soil the magnitude of the maximum bending moment is 2,416.335 kN-m, and for the
dense soil the magnitude of the maximum bending moment is 2,114.63 kN-m.
 DENSE

SOFT SOIL

Figure 4: Shear Force Due to Dead Load

DENSE
 SOFT SOIL

Figure 5: Shear Force Due to Wind Load

DENSE

SOFT SOIL

Figure 6: Shear Force Due to Load Combination 0.9D+1.6W

 Table 2: Maximum Shear Forces
Shear Force: Referring to figures 4 and 5, the shear forces in the columns are stronger in the
dense soil case than in the soft soil case, but the shear forces in the rafters are greater in the soft
soil case than in the dense soil case. This applies to both dead and wind loading situations. And
the maximum magnitude of shear force for both structures was obtained on the column of the
windward side. For the dense soil the magnitude is 697.335 kN and for the soft soil the
magnitude of the maximum shear force is 529.99 kN.

DENSE

SOFT SOIL

Figure 7: Axial Force Due to Dead Load

 DENSE

SOFT SOIL

Figure 8: Axial Force Due to Wind Load

 DENSE

SOFT SOIL

Figure 9: Axial Force Due to Load Combination 0.9D+1.6W

Table 3: Maximum Axial Forces

Axial Force: A comparison of axial forces is given in Figures 7 and 8. The magnitudes of the
axial forces in the columns do not differ much between the two frames, however the axial forces
in the rafters in the thick soil scenario are slightly bigger than in the soft soil case. Both soil
conditions have nearly identical axial forces. And referring to table 3, the maximum magnitude
of axial forces for dense and soft soils are 126.238 kN and 121.062 kN. Which acts both on beam
number 2 or the rafter on windward side and is due to the loading of dead load.

IV. CONCLUSION
According to the results that was obtained, it is true that wind load loading on a structure
affects much the stability and its strength. The soft soil tends to obtain a larger bending moment
compared to the dense soil. On the other hand, the dense soil dense to have a greater shear and
axial force than the soft soil.