INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY

FOR SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

l± J i Sï J‫او م‬ J ë lż J‫ا‬
ë±J2‫و‬J‫ ا‬ë al J‫ا‬

Civil Engineering and Environmental

Department
Lecture

303421: Foundation
2 Engineering
Bearing Capacity of
Foundation

Dr. Abdulmannan Orabi

 References
ACI 318M-14 Building Code Requirements for
Structural Concrete ( ACI 318M -14) and Commentary,
American Concrete Institute, ISBN 978-0-87031-283-0.
Bowles , J.,E.,(1996) “Foundation Analysis and Design” -
5th ed. McGraw-Hill, ISBN 0-07-912247-7.
Das, B., M. (2012), “ Principles of Foundation Engineering
” Eighth Edition, CENGAGE Learning,
ISBN-13: 978-1-305-08155-0.
Syrian Arab Code for Construction 2012

Dr. Abdulmannan Orabi IUST 2

 Bearing Capacity of Foundation
The soil must be capable of carrying the loads
from any engineered structure placed upon it
without a shear failure and with the resulting
settlements being tolerable for that structure.
T his lecture will be concerned with
evaluation of the limiting shear resistance, or
ultimate bearing capacity 𝑞𝑢 𝑙 𝑡 of the soil
under a foundation load.

Dr. Abdulmannan Orabi IUST 3

 Bearing Capacity of Foundation

It is necessary to investigate both base

shear resistance and settlements for any
structure.
In many cases settlement criteria will
control the allowable bearing capacity;
however, there are also a number ofcases
where base shear (in which a base punches
into the ground - usually with a simultaneous
rotation) dictates the recommended bearing
Dr. Abdulmannan Orabi IUST 4

capacity.
 Bearing Capacity of Foundation
Structures such as liquid storage tanks and
mats are often founded on soft soils, which are
usually more susceptible to base shear failure
than to settlement.
Base shear control, to avoid a combination base
punching with rotation into the soil, is often of

more concern than settlement for these

foundation types.
Dr. Abdulmannan Orabi IUST 5
 Allowable Bearing Capacity
The recommendation for the allowable bearing
capacity 𝑞𝑎 𝑙 𝑙 to be used for design is based
on the minimum of either :
1. Limiting the settlement to a tolerable
amount
2.The ultimate bearing capacity, which considers soil
strength, as computed in the following sections

Dr. Abdulmannan Orabi IUST 6

 Allowable Bearing Capacity
T he allowable bearing capacity based on
shear control 𝑞𝑎 𝑙 𝑙 is obtained

by reducing (or dividing) the ultimate

bearing capacity 𝑞 𝑢𝑙𝑡 (based on soil

strength) by a safety factor SF that is deemed

adequate to avoid a base 𝑞 u𝑙t shear(2- failure to
𝑞 𝑎𝑙𝑙 = 𝑆.𝐹
obtain
The safety factor is based on the type of soil1)
(cohesive or cohesionless),
reliability of the soil parameters, structural information (importance,
use, etc.), and consultant caution.

Dr. Abdulmannan Orabi IUST 7

 Allowable Bearing Capacity
Most building codes provide an allowable
settlement limit for a foundation, which
may be well below the settlement
derived
corresponding to 𝑞𝑎 𝑙 𝑙 given by
equations( 2-1). T hus, the bearing
capacity corresponding to the allowable
settlement must also be taken into
consideration.
Dr. Abdulmannan Orabi IUST
8
 BEARING-CAPACITY EQUATIONS
Terzaghi’s Bearing Capacity Theory
Terzaghi (1943) was the first to present a comprehensive
theory for the evaluation of the ultimate bearing
capacity of rough shallow foundations.
According to this theory, a foundation is shallow if
its depth, Df (Figure slid 11), is less than or equal to its
width. Later investigators, however, have suggested
that foundations with Df equal to 3 to 4 times their
width may be defined as shallow foundations.

Dr. Abdulmannan Orabi IUST 9

 BEARING-CAPACITY EQUATIONS
Terzaghi’s Bearing Capacity Theory
Terzaghi suggested that for a continuous, or strip,
foundation (i.e., one whose width-to-length ratio approaches
zero), the failure surface in soil at ultimate load may be
assumed to be similar to that shown in Figure on Slide
11.
The effect of soil above the bottom of the foundation may also
be assumed to be replaced by an equivalent surcharge, 𝑞 = 𝛾 ∗ 𝐷ƒ

(where 𝛾 is the unit weight of soil).

Dr. Abdulmannan Orabi IUST 10

 BEARING-CAPACITY EQUATIONS
Terzaghi’s Bearing Capacity Theory
T he failure zone under the foundation
can be separated into three parts (see
Figure 4.6):
1.The triangular zone ACD immediately under
the foundation
2.T he radial shear zones ADF and CDE, with
the curves DE and DF being arcs of a
logarithmic spiral
3.Two triangular Rankine passive zones AFH
and CEGOrabi
Dr. Abdulmannan IUST 11
 BEARING-CAPACITY EQUATIONS
Terzaghi’s Bearing Capacity Theory
The angles CAD and ACD are assumed to be equal to
the soil friction angle ∅′ .
N ote that, with the replacement of the soil above
the bottom of the foundation by an
equivalent surcharge q, the shear resistance of the soil
along the failure surfaces GI and HJ was neglected.

Dr. Abdulmannan Orabi IUST 12

 BEARING-CAPACITY EQUATIONS
Terzaghi’s Bearing Capacity Theory

Dr. Abdulmannan Orabi IUST 13

 BEARING-CAPACITY EQUATIONS
Terzaghi’s Bearing Capacity Theory

Dr. Abdulmannan Orabi IUST 14

 BEARING-CAPACITY EQUATIONS
Terzaghi’s Bearing Capacity Theory
The ultimate bearing capacity, 𝑞𝑢𝑙𝑡, of the foundation
now can be obtained by considering the equilibrium
of the triangular
wedge ACD shown in Figure below

Dr. Abdulmannan Orabi IUST 15

 BEARING-CAPACITY EQUATIONS
Terzaghi’s Bearing Capacity Equation
𝑞𝑢𝑙𝑡 = 0.5 𝐵 𝛾 𝑁𝛾𝑆𝛾 + 𝑞 𝑁𝑞𝑆𝑞 + 𝐶𝑁𝑐𝑆𝑐

wℎe𝑟e:
𝐵 = wi𝑑𝑡ℎ o f 𝑡ℎe foo𝑡i𝑛𝑔
𝛾 = 𝑢𝑛i𝑡 wei𝑔ℎ𝑡 o f 𝑡ℎe 𝑠oi𝑙 𝑏e𝑙ow 𝑡ℎe
fo𝑢𝑛𝑑𝑎𝑡io𝑛 𝑙e𝑣e𝑙
𝑞 = 𝛾 ∗ 𝐷ƒ

𝑁𝛾 , 𝑁𝑞 , 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑁𝑐 𝑎𝑟e 𝐵e𝑎𝑟i𝑛𝑔

𝑐𝑎𝑝𝑎𝑐i𝑡𝑦 f 𝑎𝑐𝑡o𝑟𝑠
and depends on angle of shearing
Dr. Abdulmannan Orabi IUST 16
resistance (ø)
( 𝑇𝑎𝑏. 4 − 1 , 𝐷𝑎𝑠)
 BEARING-CAPACITY EQUATIONS
Terzaghi’s Bearing Capacity Equation
𝑞𝑢𝑙𝑡 = 0.5 𝐵 𝛾 𝑁𝛾𝑆𝛾 + 𝑞 𝑁𝑞𝑆𝑞 + 𝐶𝑁𝑐𝑆𝑐

𝑆𝛾 , 𝑆𝑞 , 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑆𝑐 = 𝑆ℎ𝑎𝑝 f 𝑎𝑐𝑡o𝑟𝑠

Shape factors for the Terzaghi equations

Sγ Sq SC

Square 0.8 1 1.3

Circular 0.6 1 1.3

Rectangular 1-0.2 B/L 1 1+0.3 B/L

Dr. Abdulmannan Orabi IUST 17

 BEARING-CAPACITY EQUATIONS
Terzaghi’s Bearing Capacity Theory
for Local Shear Failure
Terzaghi suggested the following relationships
for local shear failure in soil:
𝑞𝑢𝑙𝑡 = 0.5 𝐵 𝛾 𝑁 ′ 𝑆 + 𝑞 𝑁 ′ 𝑆 + 𝐶 ′ 𝑁 ′ 𝑆
𝛾 𝛾
𝑞
𝑞
𝑐
𝑐
𝑁𝛾′ , 𝑁 , 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑁 𝑎𝑟e 𝑚o𝑑if ie𝑑 𝑏e𝑎𝑟i𝑛𝑔 f 𝑎𝑐𝑡o𝑟𝑠
′ ′
𝑞 𝑐
where 2
′
2 ′
𝐶 = 𝐶 tan ∅ = tan(
3 3
∅)
Dr. Abdulmannan Orabi IUST 18
 BEARING-CAPACITY EQUATIONS
Meyerhof ’s Bearing Capacity Equation
In 1951, Meyerhof published a bearing capacity
theory that could be applied to rough, shallow, and
deep foundations. The failure surface at ultimate load
under a continuous shallow foundation assumed by
Meyerhof is shown in Figure below.

Dr. Abdulmannan Orabi IUST 19

 BEARING-CAPACITY EQUATIONS
Meyerhof ’s Bearing Capacity
Equation

Dr. Abdulmannan Orabi IUST 20

 BEARING-CAPACITY EQUATIONS
Meyerhof ’s Bearing Capacity Equation
In this figure abc is the elastic triangular, bcd is the
radial shear zone with cd being an arc of a log
spiral, and bde is a mixed shear zone in which the
shear varies between the limits of radial and
plane shears depending on the depth and roughness
of the foundation.
The plane be is called an equivalent free surface.

Dr. Abdulmannan Orabi IUST 21

 BEARING-CAPACITY EQUATIONS
Meyerhof ’s Bearing Capacity Equation
Vertical load:
𝑞𝑢𝑙𝑡 = 0.5 𝐵 𝛾 𝑁𝛾 𝑆𝛾 𝑑𝛾 + 𝑞 𝑁𝑞 𝑆𝑞 𝑑𝑞 + 𝐶𝑁𝑐 𝑆𝑐 𝑑𝑐
Inclined load:

𝑞𝑢𝑙𝑡 = 0.5 𝐵 𝛾 𝑁 𝛾 i 𝛾 𝑑 𝛾 + 𝑞 𝑁 𝑞 i 𝑞 𝑑 𝑞 + 𝐶𝑁 𝑐 i 𝑐 𝑑 𝑐

Dr. Abdulmannan Orabi IUST 22

 BEARING-CAPACITY EQUATIONS
Meyerhof ’s Bearing Capacity
Equation
where
𝑁
N 𝛾, 𝑁 , 𝑎𝑛𝑑
 𝑞(e  tan  𝑁 𝑎𝑟e
) tan 𝐵e𝑎𝑟i𝑛𝑔
𝑐 2 (45  𝑐𝑎𝑝𝑎𝑐i𝑡𝑦 f𝑎𝑐𝑡o𝑟𝑠
q
 2
N )C  (N q  1) cot 

N   (N q  1) tan(1.4 )

𝑁𝛾 = 0 , 𝑁𝑞 = 1 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑁𝐶 = 𝜋 + 2 = fo𝑟 ∅ = 0
5.14

Dr. Abdulmannan Orabi IUST 23

 BEARING-CAPACITY EQUATIONS
Meyerhof ’s Bearing Capacity
Equation
where
𝑆𝛾S,c𝑆𝑞 ,1𝑎𝑛𝑑  B
 0 .2𝑆𝑐 p= 𝑆ℎ𝑎𝑝e f𝑎𝑐𝑡o𝑟𝑠
K
Sq  S  1  Lp  B ..........f or  
0.1K 10
∅ L
𝐾𝑝 = 𝑡𝑎𝑛2 (45 + )
2

𝑆𝛾 = 𝑆𝑞 = 1 fo𝑟 ∅ = 0

Dr. Abdulmannan Orabi IUST 24

 BEARING-CAPACITY EQUATIONS
Meyerhof ’s Bearing Capacity
Equation
where
𝑑 𝛾 , 𝑑 𝑞 , 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑑𝑐 = 𝐷e𝑝𝑡ℎ
 D f f𝑎𝑐𝑡o𝑟𝑠
dC  1  0 . 2 K p
B
 Df
d q  d   1  0 .1 K p ....f o r   1
B 0
𝑑𝛾 = 𝑑𝑞 = 1 fo𝑟 ∅ = 0

Dr. Abdulmannan Orabi IUST 25

 BEARING-CAPACITY EQUATIONS
Meyerhof ’s Bearing Capacity
Equation
where
i 𝛾 , i 𝑞 , 𝑎𝑛𝑑 i 𝑐 = 𝐼𝑛𝑐𝑙i𝑛𝑎𝑡io𝑛
𝜃 f𝑎𝑐𝑡o𝑟𝑠
i𝑞 = i𝑐 = 1 − 2 𝑎𝑛𝑦 V
90 R

𝜃<∅
∅ 𝜃
2
i𝛾 = 1 ∅>0
∅ H
−
i 𝛾 = 0 fo𝑟 𝜃 ≠ 0 𝑎𝑛𝑑 ∅ =
0
Dr. Abdulmannan Orabi IUST 26
 BEARING-CAPACITY EQUATIONS
Hansen’s Bearing Capacity Equation ( General
Equation )
V +β

Df

Dr. Abdulmannan Orabi IUST 27

 BEARING-CAPACITY EQUATIONS
Hansen’s Bearing Capacity Equation ( General
Equation )
 0.5 B ' N  S  d  i  g  b  qNq S q d q iq g q bq  CN C CS Cd Ci Cg C
q ult
b
where
𝑁𝛾, 𝑁𝑞, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑁𝑐 𝑎𝑟e 𝐵e𝑎𝑟i𝑛𝑔 𝑐𝑎𝑝𝑎𝑐i𝑡𝑦 f𝑎𝑐𝑡o𝑟𝑠
N q  (e  tan  ) tan 2 (45 
 2
N )C  (N q  1) cot 

N   (N q  1) tan(1.4 )

𝑁𝛾 = 0 , 𝑁𝑞 = 1 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑁𝐶 = 𝜋 + 2 = fo𝑟 ∅ = 0
5.14
Dr. Abdulmannan Orabi IUST 28
 BEARING-CAPACITY EQUATIONS
Hansen’s Bearing Capacity Equation ( General
Equation )
 0.5 B ' N  S  d  i  g  b  qNq S q d q iq g q bq  CN C S C d C i C g C bC
q ult
where
𝑆𝛾 , 𝑆𝑞 , 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑆𝑐 = 𝑆ℎ𝑎𝑝e
f𝑎𝑐𝑡o𝑟𝑠 N q
B' B'
SC  1   '
NC L
Sq  1  '
sin
L
'
S   1  0.4B 𝑆𝛾 ≥ 0.6

L'
Dr. Abdulmannan Orabi IUST 29
 BEARING-CAPACITY EQUATIONS
Hansen’s Bearing Capacity Equation ( General
Equation )
 0.5 B ' N  S  d  i  g  b  qNq S q d q iq g q bq  CN C S C d C i C g C bC
q ult
where
𝑑 𝛾 , 𝑑 𝑞 , 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑑𝑐 = 𝐷e𝑝𝑡ℎ
f𝑎𝑐𝑡o𝑟𝑠
dC  1 0.4K 𝑑𝛾 = 1 fo𝑟 𝑎𝑙𝑙 ∅

d q  1  2 t a n  (1 s in  )2 K
Df
K  D f f or 1
B B
Df
KD  ta n  1 ) f f 1
( f or B
B
30
 BEARING-CAPACITY EQUATIONS
Hansen’s Bearing Capacity Equation ( General
Equation )
 0.5 B ' N  S  d  i  g  b  qNq S q d q iq g q bq  CN C S C d C i C g C bC
q ult
where
i 𝛾 , i 𝑞 , 𝑎𝑛𝑑 i 𝑐 = 𝐼𝑛𝑐𝑙i𝑛𝑎𝑡io𝑛
f𝑎𝑐𝑡o𝑟𝑠
1  iq 0.5H i
iC  i q  i q  (1 )
1 V  Af Ca cot
1
N q 
0.7Hi (0.7  o /
i  )2
i   (1  i 2
)
450)H V
(1 V Af Ca cot
 Af C a
2 ≤ 𝛼1 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝛼2 ≤ cot
Dr. Abdulmannan Orabi 5 IUST 31
 BEARING-CAPACITY EQUATIONS
Hansen’s Bearing Capacity Equation ( General
Equation )
 0.5 B ' N  S  d  i  g  b  qNq S q d q iq g q bq  CN C S C d C i C g C bC
q ult
where
𝑔𝛾 , 𝑔𝑞 , 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑔𝑐 = 𝐺𝑟o𝑢𝑛𝑑
f𝑎𝑐𝑡o𝑟𝑠
𝑔𝑐′ = 0 𝑔𝑐 = 1 −
147
𝛽 0 1470

𝑔𝑞 = 𝑔𝛾 0 = 1 − 0.5 𝑡𝑎𝑛𝛽 5
𝛽

Dr. Abdulmannan Orabi IUST 32

 BEARING-CAPACITY EQUATIONS
Hansen’s Bearing Capacity Equation ( General
Equation )
 0.5 B ' N  S  d  i  g  b  qNq S q d q iq g q bq  CN C S C d C i C g C bC
q ult
where
𝑏𝛾 , 𝑏𝑞 , 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑏𝑐 = 𝐵𝑎𝑠e

𝑏𝑐′ = f 𝑎𝑐𝑡o𝑟𝑠fo𝑟
5 0 ∅=0
1470
50
𝑏𝑐 = 1 −
1470

𝑏𝑞 = exp(−25 𝑡𝑎𝑛∅) 𝑏𝛾 = exp(−2.7 5 𝑡𝑎𝑛∅)

5 i𝑛 𝑟𝑎𝑑i𝑎𝑛𝑠
Dr. Abdulmannan Orabi IUST 33
 BEARING-CAPACITY EQUATIONS
Hansen’s Bearing Capacity Equation ( General
Equation )
𝑞𝑢𝑙𝑡 = 5.14 𝐶𝑢 1 + 𝑆 ′ + 𝑑 ′ − i ′ − 𝑔 ′ − 𝑏 ′ + 𝑞 fo𝑟 ∅ = 0
𝑐 𝑐 𝑐 𝑐 𝑐

Where :
𝑆𝑐′ = 0.2 ′
𝑑𝑐′ = 0.4 𝑘
𝐿
𝐵′
0
𝐻i 𝑔𝑐′ = 𝛽 0
i 𝑐′ = 0.5 − 1 147
𝐴ƒ 𝐶𝑎
−

𝑏𝑐′ = 50 fo𝑟 ∅ = 0
1470

Dr. Abdulmannan Orabi IUST 34

 BEARING-CAPACITY EQUATIONS
Effect of Water Table on Bearing Capacity

The equation for ultimate bearing capacity by Terzaghi

has been developed based on assumption that water
table is located at a great depth .
If the water table is located close to foundation ;
the equation needs modification.
T he effective unit weight of the soil is used in
the bearing-capacity equations for computing the
ultimate capacity.

Dr. Abdulmannan Orabi IUST 35

 BEARING-CAPACITY EQUATIONS
Effect of Water Table on Bearing Capacity
T he water table is seldom above the base of the
footing, as this would, at the very least, cause
construction problems. If it is,
however, the q term requires adjusting so that the
surcharge pressure is an effective value and an
0.5 ϒB Nunit
effective weight must be Water
ϒ term. used in thebelow the base of
table
G.W.T. footing
𝐷ƒ
𝐷ƒ 𝑑w
G.W.T.

Water table above

Dr. Abdulmannan Orabi the base of footing IUST 36
 BEARING-CAPACITY EQUATIONS
Effect of Water Table on Bearing Capacity
When the water table lies within the wedge zone,
can compute the average effective weight 𝛾𝑎
of
𝑑w as 𝛾 ′
the soil in the wedge zone 2
𝛾𝑎 = 2 𝐻 − 𝑑 w 𝛾+ 𝐻 − 𝑑w
𝐻2 𝐻2
wℎe𝑟e 𝐻 = 0.5 𝐵 tan ( 45 + ∅/2)
𝑑w = 𝑑e𝑝𝑡ℎ o f w𝑎𝑡e𝑟 𝑡𝑎𝑏𝑙e 𝑏e𝑙ow 𝑏𝑎𝑠e o f foo𝑡i𝑛𝑔
𝛾 = 𝑢𝑛i𝑡 wei𝑔ℎ𝑡 o f 𝑠oi𝑙 i𝑛 𝑑e𝑝𝑡ℎ 𝑑w
𝛾 ′ = 𝑠𝑢𝑏𝑚e𝑟𝑔e𝑑 𝑢𝑛i𝑡 wei𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑏e𝑙ow w𝑎𝑡e𝑟 𝑡𝑎𝑏𝑙e
Dr. Abdulmannan Orabi IUST 37
 BEARING-CAPACITY EQUATIONS
Effect of Water Table on Bearing Capacity
When the water table is below the wedge zone [depth
approximately 𝐻 = 0.5 𝐵 tan ( 45 + ∅/2) ], the water table
effects can be ignored for computing the bearing capacity.

𝐷ƒ
Water table below
the base of the
𝑑w > 𝐻 footing
G.W.T.

Dr. Abdulmannan Orabi IUST 38

 BEARING-CAPACITY EQUATIONS
Effect of Soil Compressibility
The change of failure mode is due to soil compressibility,
to account for which Vesic (1973) proposed the following
modification of bearing capacity equation :

𝑞𝑢𝑙𝑡 = 0.5 𝐵 𝛾 𝑁𝛾 𝑆𝛾 𝑑𝛾 𝐶𝛾 + 𝑞 𝑁𝑞 𝑆𝑞 𝑑𝑞 𝐶𝑞 + 𝐶𝑁𝑐𝑆𝑐

𝑑𝑐 𝐶𝑐
Where :
𝐶𝑐 , 𝐶𝑞 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐶𝛾 𝑎𝑟e 𝑠oi𝑙 𝑐o𝑚𝑝𝑟e𝑠𝑠i𝑏i𝑙i𝑡𝑦 f𝑎𝑐𝑡o𝑟𝑠

Dr. Abdulmannan Orabi IUST 39

 BEARING-CAPACITY EQUATIONS
Effect of Soil Compressibility
The soil compressibility factors were derived by
Vesic (1973) by analogy to the expansion of
cavities. to that theory, in order to
According 𝐶𝑐 , 𝐶𝑞 𝑎𝑛𝑑
calculate 𝐶𝛾
,the
Stepfollowing steps
1. Calculate theshould
rigiditybeindex,
taken:Ir, of the
soil at a depth approximately B/2 below the bottom
foundation,
of 𝐺𝑠 the
𝐼𝑟 =
or 𝐶 ′ + 𝑞 ′ 𝑡𝑎𝑛∅ ′
𝐺𝑠 = 𝑠ℎe𝑎𝑟 𝑚o𝑑𝑢𝑙𝑢𝑠 o f 𝑠oi𝑙
wℎe𝑟e
𝐵
𝑞 ′ = effe𝑐𝑡i𝑣e o𝑣e𝑟𝑏𝑢𝑟𝑑e𝑛 𝑝𝑟e𝑠𝑠𝑢𝑟e 𝑎𝑡 𝑎 𝑑e𝑝𝑡ℎ (𝐷 ƒ + 2
)
Dr. Abdulmannan Orabi IUST 40
 BEARING-CAPACITY EQUATIONS
Effect of Soil Compressibility
Step 2. The critical rigidity index, 𝐼𝑟(𝑐𝑟), can be expressed as
1 𝐵 ∅′
𝐼𝑟(𝑐𝑟) = e𝑥𝑝 3.3 − 0.45 𝑐o𝑡 45 −
2 𝐿 2

Step 3. If 𝐼𝑟 ≥ 𝐼𝑟 (𝑐 𝑟 ) , 𝐶𝑐 = 𝐶𝑞 = 𝐶𝛾 = 1
then However, if 𝐼𝑟 < 𝐼𝑟(𝑐𝑟), then
𝐵 ′ 3.07𝑠i𝑛∅′ 𝑙o𝑔2𝐼𝑟
𝐶𝛾 = 𝐶𝑞 = e𝑥𝑝 −4.4 + 0.6 𝑡𝑎𝑛∅ +
𝐿 1 + 𝑠i𝑛∅′
𝐵
𝐶𝐶 = 0.32 + 0.12 + 0.6 𝑙o𝑔𝐼𝑟 fo𝑟 ∅ = 0
𝐿
1 − 𝐶𝑞
𝐶𝐶 = 𝐶𝑞 − fo𝑟 ∅ > 0
𝑁𝑐 𝑡𝑎𝑛∅′

Dr. Abdulmannan Orabi IUST 41

 BEARING-CAPACITY from SPT
Bearing Capacity from SPT
The SPT is widely used to obtain the bearing capacity
of soils directly.
Considering the accumulation of field observations and the
stated opinions of the authors and others, this author
adjusted the Meyerhof equations for an
approximate 50 percent increase in allowable bearing
capacity to obtain the following: 𝐷
𝐵 > 1.2 𝑚 1 + 0. 33 𝐵
𝑓
≤ 1. 𝐵 ≤ 1.2 𝑚
33
Df
q a  N 55  B  0.3  (1 
2
)
 B
0.08  B 
0.33
Dr. Abdulmannan Orabi IUST 42
 BEARING-CAPACITY of Mat Foundation

The gross ultimate bearing capacity of a mat

foundation can be determined by the same equation
used for shallow foundations, or
𝑞𝑢 𝑙 𝑡 = 0.5 𝐵 𝛾 𝑁𝛾 𝑆𝛾 i 𝛾 𝑑𝛾 + 𝑞 𝑁𝑞 𝑆𝑞 i 𝑞 𝑑𝑞 +
𝐶𝑁𝑐 𝑆𝑐 i 𝑐 𝑑𝑐

T he term B in Eq. above is the smallest dimension of

the mat.
The net ultimate capacity of a mat foundation is
Dr. Abdulmannan Orabi IUST 43
𝑞 𝑢𝑙𝑡(𝑛e𝑡) = 𝑞 𝑢𝑙𝑡 − 𝑞
 BEARING-CAPACITY of Mat Foundation

The net allowable soil bearing

capacity 𝑞 𝑢𝑙𝑡(𝑛e𝑡)
𝑞𝑎𝑙𝑙 (𝑛e𝑡) =
𝑆.
𝐹
For mats on clay, the factor of safety should not
be less than 3 under dead load or maximum live
load.
Under most working conditions, the factor of safety
against bearing capacity failure of mats on
sand is very large.
Dr. Abdulmannan Orabi IUST 44
BEARING-CAPACITY of Mat Foundation
Bearing Capacity from SPT

The net allowable bearing capacity for mats constructed over

granular soil deposits can be adequately determined from
the standard penetration resistance numbers

𝑁55 𝑆e(𝑚𝑚)
𝑞𝑎𝑙𝑙 (𝑛e𝑡) = 𝐹𝑑
0.08 25
𝑆e (𝑚𝑚
𝑞𝑎𝑙𝑙 (𝑛e𝑡) = 16.63 𝑁55
) 25

Dr. Abdulmannan Orabi IUST 45