SHALLOW FOUNDATIONS

By –
C.M.GUPTA
Sr.Prof/Br.2
IRICEN

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Design of Formation/Foundation
◦ Location
◦ Stress
◦ Settlement

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 Types of foundations

Shallow Foundation Deep Foundation

(Df < B) (Df > B)
Footing Raft/Mat Deep footings
Isolated Continuous Piles
Rectangular Strip
Square Strap Well/Cassions
Circular Combined

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 Shallow Foundations

 Common Types of Footing

 Strip footing
 Spread Footing

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Common Types of Footing

 Combined Footing
 Raft or Mat footing

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Shallow foundations
 IS 1904:1986 is code of practice for design and
construction of foundations in soils: General
requirements
 As per IS 1904:1986. shallow foundations are
such types of foundations in which load
transference is primarily through shear resistance
of the bearing strata ( the fractional resistance of
soil above bearing strata is not taken into
consideration ) and are laid normally upto a depth
of 3 m.
 As per IS 6403:1981 (Determination of bearing
capacity of shallow foundations), shallow
foundations are those whose width is greater than
depth.
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Factors affecting choice of foundation

 Function of the Structure – Residential,

Commercial, Bridges etc.
 Loads coming from the structure
 Subsoil conditions
 Relative cost of foundation in relation to
superstructure

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Factors affecting Depth of Shallow
Foundations
 Depth of top soil or filled-up soil
 Depth of poor surface deposit such as
peat, muck, sanitary land fill
 Location of ground water table and its
seasonal variation
 Depth of poor or better underlying strata
 Depth of adjacent footing

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 Location and depth of Foundation
 IS:1904-1986: Minimum depth of foundation = 0.50 m.
 Foundation shall be placed below the zone of
◦ Excessive volume change due to moisture variation (usually
exists within 1.5 to 3.5 m depth)
◦ Topsoil or organic material
 Foundations adjacent to flowing water (flood water, rivers, etc.)
shall be protected against scouring.
 A raised water table may cause damage to the foundation by
◦ Floating the structure
◦ Reducing the effective stress beneath the foundation
◦ Water logging around the building: proper drainage system
around the foundation may be required so that water does not
accumulate.

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 Location and depth of Foundation
 Footings on surface rock or sloping rock faces
◦ Shallow rock beds: foundation on the rock surface after chipping
◦ Rock bed with slope: 1010provide dowel bars of minimum 16 mm
diameter and 225 mm embedment into the rock at 1 m spacing.
 Footings adjacent to existing structures
◦ Minimum horizontal distance between the foundations shall not be less
than the width of larger footing. Otherwise, the principal of 2H:1V
distribution be used to minimize influence to old structure
 Proper care is needed during excavation phase of foundation construction
beyond merely depending on the 2H:1V criteria. Excavation may cause
settlement to old foundation due to lateral bulging in the excavation and/or
shear failure due to reduction in overburden stress in the surrounding of
old foundation

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Provisions of IS: 1080:1985

IS:1080:1985 is code of practice for design

and construction of shallow foundations in
soils
3. GENERAL
3.1 The shallow foundations cover such type of
foundation in which the load transference is
primarily through shear resistance of the
bearing strata ( the frictional resistance of
soil above bearing strata is not taken into
consideration ) and are laid normally up to
depth of 3 m.
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 Provisions of IS: 1080:1985
3. GENERAL
 3.1.1 These foundations are of following types
 a) Pad or Spread - In such type of foundation,
which is constructed of masonry and/or concrete (
plain or reinforced ) and is isolated, the loads of a
structure is transferred to the ground in such a
manner that the safe bearing pressure is not
exceeded.
 b) Strip-- Such type of foundation provides
continuous and longitudinal bearing for loads
carried by vertical elements, such as continuous
wall foundation beams or the like.

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 Provisions of IS: 1080:1985
4. DESIGN CONSIDERATION
4.1 In such type of foundations wherever
the resultant of the load deviates from
the centre line by more than 1/6 of its least
dimension at the base of footing, it should
be suitably reinforced.
4.2 For continuous wall foundations (plain
or reinforced ) adequate reinforcement
should be provided particularly at places
where there is abrupt change in magnitude
of load or variation in ground support.
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 Provisions of IS: 1080:1985

4. DESIGN CONSIDERATION
4.3 On sloping sites the foundation should
have a horizontal bearing and stepped and
lapped at changes of levels for a distance at
least equal to the thickness of foundation
or twice the height of step whichever is
greater. The steps should not be of greater
height than thickness of the foundations.

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Provisions of IS: 1080:1985
4. DESIGN CONSIDERATION
4.4 Ground Beams
The foundation can also have the ground
beam for transmitting the load. The ground
beam carrying a load bearing wall should be
designed to act with the wall forming a
composite beam, when both are of
reinforced concrete and structurally
connected by reinforcement. The ground
beam of reinforced concrete structurally
connected to reinforced brick work can
also be used.
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Provisions of IS: 1080:1985

4. DESIGN CONSIDERATION
4.5 Dimensions of Foundation
4.5.1 The dimensions of the foundation in plan
should be such as to support loads as given
in IS: 1904-1985. The width of the footings
shall be such that maximum stress in the
concrete or masonry is within the
permissible limits. The width of wall
foundation shall not be less than that given
by:
B= W + 30 cm where
B = width at base in cm, and
W = width of supported wall in cm. 16
 Provisions of IS: 1080:1985
4. DESIGN CONSIDERATION
4.6 In the base of foundations for masonry
foundation it is preferable to have the
steps in multiples of thickness of masonry
unit.
4.7 The plan dimensions of excavation for
foundations should be wide enough to
ensure safe and efficient working.

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 Provisions of IS: 1080:1985

4. DESIGN CONSIDERATION
4.8 Unreinforced foundation may be of concrete or
masonry ( stone or brick ) provided that angular
spread of load from the pier or bed plate to the
outer edge of the ground bearing is not more than
1 V to 1/2 H to masonry
or 1 V to 1 H for cement concrete and
1 V to 2/3 H for lime concrete.
The minimum thickness of the foundation of the
edge should not be less than 150 mm. In case the
depth to transfer the load to the ground bearing is
less than the permissible angle of spread, the
foundations should be reinforced.
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 Provisions of IS: 1080:1985
4. DESIGN CONSIDERATION
4.9 If the bottom of a pier is to be belled so as
to increase its load carrying capacity such
bell should be at least 30 cm thick at its edge.
The sides should be sloped at an angle of not
less than 450 with the horizontal. The least
dimension should be 60 cm (circular, square
or rectangular). The design should allow for
the vertical tilt of the pier by 1 percent of its
height.

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 Provisions of IS: 1080:1985
4. DESlGN CONSIDERATION
4.10 If the allowable bearing capacity is available
only at a greater depth, the foundation can be
rested at a higher level for economic
considerations and the difference in level
between the base of foundation and the depth at
which the allowable bearing capacity occurs can
be filled up with either:
(a) concrete of allowable compressive strength not
less than the allowable bearing pressure, or
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 Provisions of IS: 1080:1985
4. DESIGN CONSIDERATION
(b) in compressible fill material, for example,
sand, gravel, etc, in which case the width of
the fill should be more than the width of the
foundation by an extent of dispersion of
load from the base of the foundation on
either side at the rate of 2 vertical to 1
horizontal.
4.11 The cement concrete foundation (plain or
reinforced ) should be designed in
accordance with IS : 456-1978 and masonry
foundation in accordance with IS : 1905-
1980.
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 Provisions of IS: 1080:1985

5. CONSTRUCTION
5.1 The cement concreting ( plain and
reinforced ) in the foundation should be
done in accordance with the provision given
in IS : 456-1978.
5.2 The stone masonry construction should
conform to IS : 1597 ( Parts 1 and 2 )-1967:
and brick masonry construction should
conform to IS : 2212-1962.

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 Provisions of IS: 1080:1985
5. CONSTRUCTION
5.3 The lime concrete should be done in
accordance with the provisions given in IS :
2541-1977 or IS : 5817-1970.
5.4 Masonry should be constructed over the
base concrete after curing the base of
concrete for at least 3 days. Before laying
concrete, the bed of the foundation
pit/trench should be thoroughly compacted
by manual Ramming.

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 Provisions of Bridge Sub structure and Foundation code
General Design Criteria
◦ Preferably locate on a firm ground having stable strata.
◦ Should fulfill following basic requirements
 Safety against strength failure.
 Safety against deformation and differential settlement.
 Allowable bearing pressure shall be taken lessor of
 Net ultimate bearing capacity / 2.5
 maximum allowable pressure on foundation without
causing excessive settlement(>25mm or excessive
differential settlement)
 In open foundations, resultant lie within middle third
 Depth of foundation in soil > 1.75m below scour level.
 Shall not normally rest on compressible soils. 24
 Sub- soil Investigations
◦ Scope
 To determine nature, extent and engineering properties of
soil/ rock strata and ground water table.
 Use IS:1892, 6935, 2720,1498, IRC:78 for guidance
◦ Subsurface investigation be carried out during three
stages
 Reconnaissance Survey
 Bad locations for foundations are avoided
 Reliable data from geological and topographical maps
scrutinized
 Preliminary Survey
 Scope restricted to determine depth, extent,
composition, characteristics of various strata
 Final Location Survey
 Detail tests to design safe and economical structure.
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 Information to be obtained during sub-
surface investigation
 Site Plan
 Cross Sections along the proposed bridge
 Load conditions shown on a schematic plan, indicating
design combination of loads transmitted to the
foundation
 Environmental factor
 Geo-technical Information
 Modulus of elasticity and Modulus of sub-grade
reaction
 A review of performance of a similar structure
 Assess possible effects on existing structure
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 METHODS

OPEN FOUNDATIONS
 TRIAL PIT METHOD-
 SOIL CLASSIFICATION BY VISUAL INSPECTION OR BY,
 SIMPLE CLASSIFICATION TESTS
 SAFE BEARING CAPACITY MAY BE ASSUMED AS PER
TABLE

DEEP FOUNDATIONS
 BORE HOLES –SAMPLES AT EVERY 1.5m
 INSITU FIELD TESTS – FOR COHESIONLESS SOILS

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 SHALLOW / OPEN FOUNDATIONS

• NOT RESTING ON COMPRESSIBLE SOIL

• DEPTH OF FOUNDATION IN
• SOIL – 1.75 m BELOW ANTICIPATED SCOUR LINE
• KEY IN
• HARD ROCK – 0.30 m
• SOFT ROCK – 1.5 m
• RESULTANT OF ALL THE FORCES AT THE BASE-
• WITHIN ⅓rd FOR – FOR SOILS
• WITHIN ½ FOR - ROCK

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 Foundation in Non-cohesive strata
 BEARING CAPACITY by
 1. Plate Load Test
◦ IS 1888:1982
 2, Standard Penetration Test (SPT)
◦ IS 2131:1981
 3. Static Cone Test (CPT)
◦ IS 4968 Part 3:1976/1987

Guidance of IS 6403, 2911 (Pt.I&IV), 2131, 4968 (Pt

I&III), 1888 & 1904 may be taken.

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 Settlement can be determined by
 Plate load test
 Standard Penetration Test
 Settlement taken place very quickly for dead load
during construction stage.

◦ Allowable bearing pressure

 Judiciously decided keeping in view importance of
structure and criteria mentioned earlier.

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Foundation in cohesive strata
◦ Foundation bearing capacity can be determined as in
case of non-cohesive strata
 Settlement takes place over a long period of time
 settlement below foundation should be computed for
dead loads only
P = Pi + Poed + Ps
Pi – immediate settlement
Poed - Primary consolidation settlement Reduction
in volume due to sqeezing out of water
Ps - Secondary settlement Reduction in volume
due to adjustment of internal structure.
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 Allowable Bearing Pressure
◦ Based on criteria given in para 6.1 of IS 6403
◦ In cohesive soil due to spread of settlement over a
long period, measures to tackle the balance
settlement at the time of placement of super
structure be considered.

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 Foundation on Rock
 Shall be designed taking into consideration
Nature of Rock formation
Dip and strike of the rock strata.
Presence of faults and fissures
Should not be founded on faulted strata likely to slip
Fissured strata shall be stabilized by grouting
 Bearing Capacity shall be computed
 From shear strength properties
 Shear strength may be determines by unconfined
compression test
 Ultimate bearing capacity shall be taken as 4.5 times
the unconfined compressive strength
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 Allowable Bearing pressure
 Shall be decided after taking into consideration
weakness of rock strata such as
 Sloping rock surface
 Stratification of alternate layers of sound &
weak rock
 Presence and extent of joints
 Planes of weakness such as bedding planes,
faults, cavities etc
 Factor of safety of 3 be adopted for sound rock
 Allowable bearing pressure be further reduced
based on weakness of rock

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Non-Homogeneous and Unsound Rocks
◦ A factor of safety of 6 to 8 on unconfined compressive
strength is normally adequate
◦ For badly disintegrated or very soft rocks ( core
recovery < 35% & test cylinders not available),
 Adopt methods prescribed for soil
 Take guidance of IS 4464, 5313, 6926, 11315(Pt II)

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 Permissible increase in allowable bearing pressure
◦ May be increased for combinations of loads as per
clause 5.13 of code-
 Combination I NIL
(DL, LL,I, LF, CF,EP, WC, B, TMP,EXB)
 Combination II & III 33.33%
(comb I + WL or SF)
 Combination IV 40%
(worst combination of above + erection load)

 Condition of stability
◦ Following factor of safety be adopted(COM
 Against overturning - Combination I 2.0
- Combination II or III 1.5
 Against sliding - Combination I 1.5
- Combination II or III 1.25 36
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Loads for Proportioning and Design of
Foundation IS:1904 - 1986
•Clause:15
•Following combinations shall be used
Dead load + Live load
Dead Load + Live load + Wind/Seismic load
•For cohesive soils only 50% of actual live load is considered
for design (Due to settlement being time dependent)
•For wind/seismic load < 25% of Dead + Live load
Wind/seismic load is neglected and first combination is used
to compare with safe bearing load to satisfy allowable bearing
pressure
•For wind/seismic load ≥ 25% of Dead + Live load
It becomes necessary to ensure that pressure due to second
combination of load does not exceed the safe bearing capacity
by more than 25%. When seismic forces are considered, the
safe bearing capacity shall be increased as specified in IS:
1893 (Part-1)-2002. In non-cohesive soils, analysis for
liquefaction and settlement under earthquake shall also be
made. 38
DETERMINATION OF BEARING CAPACITY
 Gross Loading Intensity
Total pressure at the level of foundation including the
weight of superstructure, foundation, and the soil above
foundation. Qsup erstructure  Q foundation  Qsoil
qg 
Afoundation

 Net Loading Intensity

Pressure at the level of foundation causing actual
settlement due to stress increase. This includes the
weight of superstructure and foundation only.
qn  qg   D f
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DETERMINATION OF BEARING CAPACITY
 Ultimate Bearing capacity:
Maximum gross intensity of loading that the soil can
support against shear failure is called ultimate bearing
capacity.
qu from Bearing capacity calculation
 Net Ultimate Bearing Capacity:
Maximum net intensity of loading that the soil can
support at the level of foundation. qnu  qu   D f
5. Net Safe Bearing capacity:
Maximum net intensity of loading that the soil can safely
support without the risk of shear failure. qnu
qns 
FOS 40
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DETERMINATION OF BEARING CAPACITY

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DETERMINATION OF BEARING CAPACITY
2. Effect of Water table
Total stress analysis Vs Effective stress analysis
Case 1. Dw<Df
surcharge q= ϒ Dw +ϒ’ (Df - Dw)
Case 2. Df<Dw<(Df+B)
ӯ = ϒ’ + (Dw-Df)*(ϒ-ϒ’)/B
qu= CNc+ qNqRw+ 0.5 ϒ BN ϒ Rw*

3. Use of Correlations between SPT/CPT

value and Bearing Capacity
Schmertmann (1975), Peck, Hanson and Thornburn
(1974) & IS:6403-1981 recommendations
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IS 6403:1981 Recommendations

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Factors affecting Bearing Capacity

• Position of G. W. T. w.r.t size and depth of foundation

• Type of Soil and its physical and engineering properties
• Type of foundation and its dimension (shape, size depth)
• Initial stresses on the soils if any

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Plate Load Test – IS:1888-1982

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Plate Load Test – Bearing Capacity
Estimation

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Determination of Settlement

• For dense sands

• For Silts

• For Clays

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 Shear Strength/Bearing Capacity from SPT
Value

Pech Hansen and

Thornburn (1974)
&

IS: 6403- 1981

Recommendation

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Allowabale Bearing Pressure from SPT Value

Width of foundation b (m)

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Total Settlement from SPT Data for
Cohesionless Soil

Settlement to be multiplied by factor W’ 55

IS Code Provision

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Other considerations for Shallow Foundation
Design

•For economical design, it is preferred to have square footing for

vertical loads and rectangular footing for the columns carrying
moment
•Allowable bearing pressure should not be very high in
comparison to the net loading intensity leading to an
uneconomical design.
•It is preferred to use SPT or Plate load test for cohesionless soils
and undrained shear strength test for cohesive soils.
•In case of lateral loads or moments, the foundation should also
be checked to be safe against sliding and overturning. The FOS
shall not be less than 1.75 against sliding and 2.0 against
overturning.
When wind/seismic loads are considered the FOS is taken as 1.5
for both the cases. 57
Codes to be referred

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Codes to be referred

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Codes to be referred

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Codes to be referred

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