METU Civil Engineering Department Geotechnical Engineering Division

CE 366 CLASS NOTES

CHAPTER 3: SETTLEMENTS
In this chapter, you will:
• Learn different types of settlements for foundation systems
• Learn to calculate the elastic settlements
• Review the calculation of consolidation settlement
• Learn how to use the in-situ test results for estimating settlements
• Lecture Notes – Pages: 56-66, 76-84
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MAIN CONSIDERATIONS FOR FOUNDATION DESIGN

Settlement Bearing Capacity

Transcona - Canada

Pisa - Italy

Kocaeli - Turkey
Definition: vertical displacement of Definition: pressure to fail the
ground under foundation loading foundation
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SETTLEMENT

Immediate Primary Secondary

Settlement
(Si) Settlement
(Sc) Settlement
(Ss)

➢ Dominant component of the Consolidation Settlement

settlement in granular soils
➢ Small percentage of total in
cohesive soils
➢ Occurs immediately after the
loading...
➢ Calculation procedure depends
on elastic theory
➢ Dominant component of the settlement in
cohesive soils
➢ Time dependent
➢ Already learned how to calculate the
primary consolidation settlement in CE363
➢ Secondary consolidation settlement is
critical for sensitive/organic clays

ΣS = Si + Sc + Ss Total settlement
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It is critical to know that: Brown Layer is not

considered

Settlement calculations are

performed for layers under the
foundation.
Allowable settlement is the
tolarable maximum amount of
total settlement assigned to
different foundation types. ΣS = Si + Sc + Ss

Relative settlement between

different parts of a structure
is called the differential
settlement.
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Immediate Settlement (Si): B

Immediate settlement is the settlement
that occurs after loading due to the
q
elastic response of the soil. Elastic
theory is used in calculations...

Uniform Surcharge Foundation If we have a semi-infinite,

Load Width homogeneous, isotropic soil under
𝐪𝐁 uniform loading q, immediate
Si = 𝟏 − 𝐯 𝟐 𝐈𝐬 settlement at the surface is given by:
𝐄
Young’s Modulus Influence
Poisson’s
Factor
Ratio
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Immediate Settlement (Si):

The influence factor and Center Corner Average
Poisson’s ratio charts are Square 1.12 0.56 0.95
provided at Page 59 of the Rectangle, 1.52 0.76 1.30
lecture notes. L/B=2
Rectangle, 2.10 1.05 1.83
L/B=5
Circle 1.00 0.64 0.85

v = 0.5 for medium stiff and soft saturated clays

v = 0.25 ~ 0.35 for sands
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Stress and settlement distribution under footings:

For flexible footings like earth fills, the settlement has a bowl shaped pattern.

𝐪𝐁
Si = 𝟏 − 𝐯 𝟐 𝐈𝐬
𝐄
Si As expected (remember Boussinesq solutions)… the
elastic modulus (E) may be assumed as constant in
Clay clays (undrained). Use the influence factors for corner
and center given in the previous page.

𝐪𝐁
Si = 𝟏 − 𝐯 𝟐 𝐈𝐬
𝐄
In sands, elastic modulus (E) increases with
increasing confining pressure. Therefore, E is
higher at the center and lower at the corners…
Sand
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Stress and settlement distribution under footings:

For rigid footings like R/C foundations, the settlement is uniform under the
foundation. You may use the average values of the influence factors in the table at
Page 59. On the other hand, the contact pressures has a bowl shaped pattern.

Sand Clay
Notes:
➢ The undrained modulus Eu is used to calculate the immediate settlement of foundations on
cohesive soils.
➢ The elastic formula may also be used to calculate the total settlement (immediate +
consolidation) of the foundations on all types of soils (granular and cohesive). The drained
modulus E´d should be used in this case.
➢ Undrained modulus Eu is usually determined from good quality laboratory triaxial
compression tests. If it is not possible it may be selected on the basis of Eu/Cu correlations
obtained from field tests or settlement monitoring of full scale buildings.
 METU Civil Engineering Department Geotechnical Engineering Division

An alternative method for clays:

This alternative method may be used if the clay layer is not semi-infinite, but
the compressible layer has limited thickness…
μ0 and μ1 are empirical
factors dependent on the
iS=μ μ 0 1 foundation geometry –
μ 0
Page 62
1.0 q
D
0.9
H B
0.8
0 5 10 15 20

D/B
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An alternative method for clays:

This alternative may be used if the clay layer is
not semi-infinite, but the compressible layer has Si = μ0 μ1
limited thickness…
μ1 L/B
10

5
3
1
circle

0 0.1 0.2 0.5 1 2 5 10 20 50 100

H/B
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Example:
Foundation dimensions
and load are given in the
question...

There are two layers with

different stiffness. The
method only works if the
layer starts under the
foundation. Therefore the
method will be applied for:
1) Clay 1
2) Clay 2 all the way up to
the foundation
3) Clay 2 with Clay 1
dimensions...

Total settlement will be

equal to 1+2-3...
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Review of consolidation settlement:

fill

compressible

2 incompressible

Consolidation Test Video

fill https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRoA-4qEHWA
e
compressible

3 incompressible

Consolidation settlement: gradual

reduction in the volume due to
dissipation of pore water pressure log σ
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Review of consolidation settlement:

From the lab test
Recompression Line
Effective Slope : Cr
Soed= ∑ H.mv.∆σ' stress change e
Virgin Line
Thickness of Slope : Cc
layer

Cc σ′o +Δσ′
Soed= ∑ H log
1+eo σ′o
σc log σ

Preconsolidation
Pressure
Where mv and Cc are the coefficient of volume compressibility and
compression index respectively.

Cr σ′c Cc σ′o +Δσ′

Soed= H log ′ + H log
1+eo σo 1+eo σ′c
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Review of consolidation settlement:

Skempton and Bjerrum observed that

Actual Consolidation Oedometer

Alec Skempton Settlement < Tests Results

The Skempton and Bjerrum correction factor

Sc = Soed *
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Example: The soil profile of the construction site consist of gravel, clay and sand layers is
given below. The water table is located at the ground surface. Take unit weight
of the water as 10 kN/m3.
For Clay 1 the oedometer test results are
provided below. Determine the final
GRAVEL
5m γsat=22 kN/m3
consolidation settlement if 500 kPa
overburden pressure is applied at the
ground surface.
CLAY 1 γsat=20 kN/m3 e0=1.0
2m mv = ?? 𝜎 ′ 0 = 5 ∗ 22 − 10 + 1 ∗ 20 − 10 = 70 𝑘𝑃𝑎

3m SAND γsat=21 kN/m3 𝜎 ′𝑓 = 70 + 500 = 570 𝑘𝑃𝑎

2m CLAY 2
γsat=20 kN/m3 e0=0.90 s'p=350 kPa Cc=0.08 Cc=0.25

SAND
6m γsat=21 kN/m3

ROCK

70 kPa 570 kPa

1 ∆𝑒 1 0.95 − 0.725
𝒎𝒗 = ∗ = ∗ = 𝟐. 𝟐𝟓 × 𝟏𝟎−𝟒
∆𝜎 1 + 𝑒0 500 1+1
 METU Civil Engineering Department Geotechnical Engineering Division

Example: The soil profile of the construction site consist of gravel, clay and sand layers is
given below. The water table is located at the ground surface. Take unit weight
of the water as 10 kN/m3.
𝜎 ′ 0 = 5 ∗ 22 − 10 + 1 ∗ 20 − 10 = 70 𝑘𝑃𝑎

GRAVEL 𝜎 ′𝑓 = 70 + 500 = 570 𝑘𝑃𝑎

5m γsat=22 kN/m3
1 ∆𝑒 1 0.95 − 0.725
𝒎𝒗 = ∗ = ∗ = 𝟐. 𝟐𝟓 × 𝟏𝟎−𝟒
∆𝜎 1 + 𝑒0 500 1+1
CLAY 1 γsat=20 kN/m3 e0=1.0
2m mv = ??
Clay 1
3m SAND γsat=21 kN/m3 𝑺𝒄,𝟏 = ∆𝜎 ∗ 𝑚𝑣 ∗ 𝐻 = 500 ∗ 2.25 × 10−4 ∗ 2 = 0.225 𝑚
= 𝟐𝟐. 𝟓 𝒄𝒎
2m CLAY 2
Clay 2
γsat=20 kN/m3 e0=0.90 s'p=350 kPa Cc=0.08 Cc=0.25
𝜎 ′ 0 = 123 𝑘𝑃𝑎
SAND 𝜎 ′𝑓 = 123 + 500 = 623 𝑘𝑃𝑎
6m γsat=21 kN/m3 𝑺𝒄,𝟐
0.08 350 0.25 623
=2∗ ∗ 𝑙𝑜𝑔 ∗ +2∗ ∗ 𝑙𝑜𝑔 ∗
1 + 0.9 123 1 + 0.9 350
ROCK
= 0.1041 𝑚 = 𝟏𝟎. 𝟒𝟏 𝒄𝒎
Total consolidation
𝑺𝒐𝒆𝒅 = 22.5 + 10.41 = 𝟑𝟐. 𝟗𝟏 𝒄𝒎

Applying SC correction:
𝑺𝒄 = 32.91 ∗ 0.7 = 𝟐𝟑 𝒄𝒎
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Differential settlement: Relative settlement between different parts of the

structure causes distress in structures…

Relative settlement may occur due to:

➢ Variations in soil strata or foundation loading, site
conditions
➢ Differences in time of construction
➢ Large loaded areas on flexible foundations.

Alec Skempton

LIMITING VALUES,ANGULAR ROTATION

TYPE OF TYPE OF
Skempton Polshin
STRUCTURE DAMAGE Meyerhof Bjerrum
-Mac Donald -Tokar
Structural
1/150 1/250 1/200 1/150
Damage
Framed buildings and
reinforced load bearing
Cracking in
walls 1/300-
Walls and
1/500 1/500 1/500 1/500
Partitions

Burland- Worth 1/2500- Page 65

Unreinforced Cracking
1/2500, L/H=1 1/2500 1/3000
Load bearing walls By sagging ---
1/1250, L/H=5 L/H=3
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Allowable settlements: Following values are given in your lecture

notes at Page 58
Allowable settlement is the tolerable maximum amount of total settlement assigned
to different foundation types in different soils.

➢ For isolated footings on the sand allowable (limiting) maximum settlement may
be taken 40 mm. For rafts up to 65 mm is accepted.
➢ For isolated footings and rafts on clay corresponding values are 65 mm and
100 mm respectively.
Alec Skempton
➢ Design limit for maximum differential settlements between isolated foundations
on sand and clay may be taken as 25 mm and 40 mm respectively.

Limits may also be given in

codes or regulations…
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FOUNDATION PRESSURE
Foundations are placed at some
depth... to do that, soil is excavated! foundation

Actual foundation pressure (qgross)

Actual pressure applied on the soil due to weight of the structure

Net foundation pressure (qnet)

Net increase in pressure @ foundation level.

Initial effective stress

qnet = σvf' – σvo' @ foundation level

Effective stress
@ foundation level after the
construction is completed.
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Use of in-situ tests for estimating the settlement:

Settlement of foundations may be estimated from the field test results.

1 Burland and Burbidge (1985) proposed a relationship between the

compressibility of the soil and the SPT-N value. For the square
footing:
1.71
𝑆= 𝑞𝑥𝐵0.7 𝐵 Here, N60 is the average N60 over the
(𝑁60 )1.4 influence depth or 2B depth of the
foundation
For the rectangular footings, For limited thickness of
shape correction may be applied: compressible layer:

1.25𝑥 𝐿ൗ𝐵 2 𝐻 𝐻 2
𝑓𝐿 = (2 − )
𝑓𝑠 = ( ) 𝑧1 𝑧1
𝐿ൗ + 0.25
𝐵
H: compressible layer thickness
z1: influence depth, see p.80

𝑆𝑖 = 𝑆𝑥𝑓𝑠 𝑥𝑓𝐿
 METU Civil Engineering Department Geotechnical Engineering Division

Use of in-situ tests for estimating the settlement:

Settlement of foundations may be estimated from the field test results.

1 Burland and Burbidge (1985) proposed a relationship between the

Notes:
compressibility of the soil and the SPT-N value. For the square
footing: ➢ N values are not corrected for overburden.
1.71 ➢ Apply silty sand correction of necessary…
𝑆= 𝑞𝑥𝐵0.7 𝐵 Here,N Nby
➢ Increase 60 is
25%thefor
average over
N60and
gravels the
sandy
(𝑁60 )1.4 influence depth or 2B depth of the
gravels.
foundation
For the rectangular footings, For limited thickness of
shape correction may be applied: compressible layer:

1.25𝑥 𝐿ൗ𝐵 2 𝐻 𝐻 2
𝑓𝐿 = (2 − )
𝑓𝑠 = ( ) 𝑧1 𝑧1
𝐿ൗ + 0.25
𝐵
H: compressible layer thickness
z1: influence depth, see p.80

𝑆𝑖 = 𝑆𝑥𝑓𝑠 𝑥𝑓𝐿
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Use of in-situ tests for estimating the settlement:

Schmertman (1978) proposed that the settlement in sands is given by:
2
𝑍2 𝐼𝑧
Se = 𝐶1 𝐶2 (𝑞𝑛 ) σ0 𝛥𝑧
𝐸𝑠

Iz = strain influence factor

C1 = a correction factor for the depth of
foundation embedment
C2 = a correction factor to account for creep
in soil = 1 + 0.2 log (t/0.1), time in years
qn = net foundation pressure
Es = Elastic modulus = 2qc
z2 = 2B or 4B 𝜎′
𝑐1 = 1 − 0.5
𝑞𝑛
 METU Civil Engineering Department Geotechnical Engineering Division

Use of in-situ tests for estimating the settlement:

Schmertman (1978) proposed that the settlement in sands is given by:
2
An example question will
be solved in the tutorial.
However, it is important
to divide the soil layers
according to the qc layers
first and then to calculate
the average Iz, E and
layer thickness for each
layer!
 METU Civil Engineering Department Geotechnical Engineering Division

Use of in-situ tests for estimating the settlement:

Design charts by Burland, Broms, De Mello (1977): Page 79
3
In this method:
1) Find s/q value from the
chart according to the B
value and the soil type.
2) Multiply s/q by qn to find
the upper limit settlement.
3) Real settlements are
approximately 50% of the
upper limit settlement.
4) Factors such as
foundation depth or water
table position is not
considered.
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Use of in-situ tests for estimating the settlement:

Design charts by Peck, Hanson, Thornburn (1974): Page 77
4
Please note that the N values
are not corrected for energy,
only corrected for overburden!
Use the average N value of
0.6B above and 2B below the
foundation depth.
Find the soil pressure (qall)
Water table correction for footings on sand based on N and B.
(For Dw more than Df+B, do not make Cw correction)
𝑞𝑎𝑙𝑙 × 𝑐𝑤
𝑆𝑖 = × 25 (𝑚𝑚)
𝑞𝑛
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Use of in-situ tests for estimating the settlement:

Plate load test results
5