NPTEL – ADVANCED FOUNDATION ENGINEERING-I
Module 9
(Lecture 39)
DRILLED-SHAFT AND CAISSON FOUNDATIONS
Topics
1.1 LATERAL LOAD-CARRYING CAPACITY
1.2 DRILLED SHAFTS EXTENDING INTO ROCK
1.3 EXAMPLES & SOLUTIONS
NPTEL – ADVANCED FOUNDATION ENGINEERING-I
LATERAL LOAD-CARRYING CAPACITY
The lateral load-carrying capacity of drilled shafts can be analyzed in a manner similar to
that presented in section 19 for piles. That method of analysis will not be repeated here.
Example 8
Figure 9.25 shows a drilled shaft in sand. Given:
𝐿𝐿 = 6 m; 𝐷𝐷𝑠𝑠 = 800 mm; average horizontal soil modulus 𝐸𝐸𝑠𝑠 = 35 × 103 kN/m2 ;
𝐸𝐸𝑝𝑝 = 20.7 × 106 kN/m2 . Estimate the ultimate lateral load, 𝑄𝑄𝑢𝑢(𝑔𝑔) , applied at the ground
surface. Use Meyerhof’s method given in section 19. Use equation (107 from chapter 9)
for check.
Solution
From equation (105, chapter 9) relative stiffness of the shaft,
𝐸𝐸𝑝𝑝 𝐼𝐼𝑝𝑝
𝐾𝐾𝑟𝑟 =
𝐸𝐸𝑠𝑠 𝐿𝐿4
𝜋𝜋 4 𝜋𝜋 800 4
𝐼𝐼𝑝𝑝 = 𝐷𝐷 = � � = 0.02 m4
64 𝑠𝑠 64 1000
(20.7 × 106 )(0.02)
𝐾𝐾𝑟𝑟 = = 0.009
(35 × 103 )(6)4
Since 𝐾𝐾𝑟𝑟 is less than 0.01, this is a flexible drilled shaft. From equation (110 from chapter
9),
𝐿𝐿𝑒𝑒
= 1.65𝐾𝐾𝑟𝑟0.12
𝐿𝐿
𝐿𝐿𝑒𝑒 = (1.65)(0.009)0.12 (6) = 5.63 m
Thus, from equation (106 from chapter 9)
𝑄𝑄𝑢𝑢(𝑔𝑔) = 0.12𝛾𝛾𝐷𝐷𝑠𝑠 𝐿𝐿2𝑒𝑒 𝐾𝐾𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏 ≤ 0.4𝑝𝑝𝑙𝑙 𝐷𝐷𝐿𝐿𝑒𝑒
NPTEL – ADVANCED FOUNDATION ENGINEERING-I
𝐿𝐿𝑒𝑒 5.63
= = 7.04
𝐷𝐷𝑠𝑠 0.8
From figure 9.45 from chapter 9, for 𝐿𝐿𝑒𝑒 /𝐷𝐷𝑠𝑠 = 7.04 and 𝜙𝜙 = 35° , the value of 𝐾𝐾𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏 ≈ 10,
so
𝑄𝑄𝑢𝑢(𝑔𝑔) = (0.12)(17.8)(0.8)(5.63)2 (10) = 541.6 kN
Check:
𝑄𝑄𝑢𝑢(𝑔𝑔) = 0.4𝑝𝑝𝑙𝑙 𝐷𝐷𝑠𝑠 𝐿𝐿𝑒𝑒 = (0.4)(40 𝑁𝑁𝑞𝑞 tan 𝜙𝜙)𝐷𝐷𝑠𝑠 𝐿𝐿𝑒𝑒
For 𝜙𝜙 = 35° , 𝑁𝑁𝑞𝑞 = 33.3 (table 4 from chapter 3),
𝑄𝑄𝑢𝑢(𝑔𝑔) = (0.4)(40)(33.3)(tan 35)(0.8)(5.63) = 1680.3 kN
So,
𝑄𝑄𝑢𝑢(𝑔𝑔) = 541.6 kN
Figure 9.25
DRILLED SHAFTS EXTENDING INTO ROCK
In section 1, we noted that drilled shafts can be extended into rock. This section describes
the principles of analysis of the load-bearing capacity of such drilled shafts based on the
procedure developed by Reese and O’Neill (1988, 1989). Figure 9.26 shows a drilled
shaft whose depth of embedment in rock is equal to 𝐿𝐿. In the design process
recommended below, it is assumed that there is either side resistance between the shaft
and rock or point resistance at the bottom, but not both. Following is a step-by-step
procedure for estimating the ultimate bearing capacity:
NPTEL – ADVANCED FOUNDATION ENGINEERING-I
Figure 9.26 Drilled shaft socketed into rock
1. Capacity the ultimate unit side resistance as
𝑓𝑓(lb/in2 ) = 2.5𝑞𝑞𝑢𝑢0.5 ≤ 0.15𝑞𝑞𝑢𝑢 [9.40]
Where
𝑞𝑞𝑢𝑢 = Unconfined compression strength of a rock core of NW size or larger, or of
the drilled shaft concrete, whichever is smaller (in lb/in2 )
2. Calculate the ultimate capacity based on side resistance only, or
𝑄𝑄𝑢𝑢 = 𝜋𝜋𝐷𝐷𝑠𝑠 𝐿𝐿𝐿𝐿 [9.41]
3. Calculate the settlement (s) of the shaft at the top of the rock socket, or
𝑠𝑠 = 𝑠𝑠𝑒𝑒 + 𝑠𝑠𝑏𝑏 [9.42]
Where
NPTEL – ADVANCED FOUNDATION ENGINEERING-I
𝑠𝑠𝑒𝑒
= elastic compression of the drilled shaft within the socket assuming no side resistance
𝑠𝑠𝑏𝑏 = settlement of the base
However,
𝑄𝑄 𝐿𝐿
𝑠𝑠𝑒𝑒 = 𝐴𝐴 𝑢𝑢𝐸𝐸 [9.43]
𝑐𝑐 𝑐𝑐
And
𝑄𝑄𝑢𝑢 𝐼𝐼𝑓𝑓
𝑠𝑠𝑏𝑏 = 𝐷𝐷 𝐸𝐸 [9.44]
𝑠𝑠 mass
Where
𝑄𝑄𝑢𝑢 = ultimate load obtained from equation (41). (This assumes that the contribution
of the overburden to the side shear is negligible).
𝜋𝜋
𝑎𝑎𝑐𝑐 = cross − sectional area of the drilled shaft in the socket = 4 𝐷𝐷𝑠𝑠2 [9.45]
𝐸𝐸𝑐𝑐 = Young′ s modulus of the concrete and reinforcing steel in the shaft
𝐸𝐸mass = Young′ s modulus of the rock mass into which the socket is drilled
𝐼𝐼𝑓𝑓 = elastic influence coefficient (𝐟𝐟𝐟𝐟𝐟𝐟𝐟𝐟𝐟𝐟𝐟𝐟𝟗𝟗. 𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐)
NPTEL – ADVANCED FOUNDATION ENGINEERING-I
Figure 9.27 Variation of 𝐼𝐼𝑓𝑓 (after Reese and O’Neill, 1989)
The magnitude of 𝐸𝐸mass can be determined from the average plot shown in figure 9.28.
In this figure 9.,𝐸𝐸core is the Young’s modulus of intact specimens of rock cores of NW
size or larger. However, unless the socket is very long (O’Neill, 1997),
𝑄𝑄𝑢𝑢 𝐼𝐼𝑓𝑓
𝑠𝑠 ≈ 𝑠𝑠𝑏𝑏 = 𝐷𝐷 𝐸𝐸 [9.46]
𝑠𝑠 mass
NPTEL – ADVANCED FOUNDATION ENGINEERING-I
Figure 9.28 Plot of E_mass /E_corevs.RQD (after Reese and O’Neill, 1989)
4. If s is less than 0.4 in. (10.2 mm), then the ultimate load-carrying capacity is that
calculated by equation (41). If 𝑠𝑠 ≥ 0.4 in. (10.2 mm), then go to step 5.
5. If 𝑠𝑠 ≥ 0.4 in., there may be rapid, progressive side shear failure in the rock socket
resulting in a complete loss of side resistance. In that case, the ultimate capacity is
equal to the point resistance, or
𝑐𝑐
3+ 𝑠𝑠
𝐷𝐷 𝑠𝑠
𝑄𝑄𝑢𝑢 = 3𝐴𝐴𝑝𝑝 � 𝛿𝛿 0.5
� 𝑞𝑞𝑢𝑢 [9.47]
10�1+300 �
𝑐𝑐 𝑠𝑠
Where
𝑐𝑐𝑠𝑠 = spacing of discontinuities (same unit as 𝐷𝐷𝑠𝑠 )
𝛿𝛿 =thickness of individual discontinuity (same unit as D_s )𝑞𝑞𝑢𝑢 unconfined compression
strength of the rock beneath the base of the socket or the drilled shaft concrete,whichever
is smaller
NPTEL – ADVANCED FOUNDATION ENGINEERING-I
Example 9
Consider the case of a drilled shaft extending into rock as shown in figure 9. 29. Given:
𝐿𝐿 = 15 ft; 𝐷𝐷𝑠𝑠 = 3 ft; 𝑞𝑞𝑢𝑢 (rock) = 10,500 lb/in2 ; 𝑞𝑞𝑢𝑢 (concrete) = 3000 lb/in2 ;
𝐸𝐸𝑐𝑐 = 3 × 106 lb/in2 ; 𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅(rock) = 80%; 𝐸𝐸core = (rock) = 0.36 × 106 lb/in2 ;
𝑐𝑐𝑠𝑠 = 18 in; 𝛿𝛿0.15 in. Estimate the allowable load-bearing capacity of the drilled shaft.
Use a factor of safety (𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹) = 3.
Figure 9.29
Solution
Step 1. From equation (40),
𝑓𝑓(lb/in2 ) = 2.5𝑞𝑞𝑢𝑢0.5 ≤ 0.15𝑞𝑞𝑢𝑢
Since 𝑞𝑞𝑢𝑢 (concrete) < 𝑞𝑞𝑢𝑢 (rock), use 𝑞𝑞𝑢𝑢 (concrete) in equation (40). Hence
𝑓𝑓 = 2.5(3000)0.5 = 136.9 lb/in2
Check:
𝑓𝑓 = 0.15𝑞𝑞𝑢𝑢 = (0.15)(3000) = 450 lb/in2 > 136.9𝑙𝑙𝑙𝑙/in2
So, use 𝑓𝑓 = 136.9 lb/in2 .
Step 2. From equation (41),
𝑄𝑄𝑢𝑢 = 𝜋𝜋𝐷𝐷𝑠𝑠 𝐿𝐿𝐿𝐿 = [(𝜋𝜋)(3 × 12)(15 × 12)(136.9)]1/1000 = 2787 kip
Step 3. From equations (42, 43, and 44),
NPTEL – ADVANCED FOUNDATION ENGINEERING-I
𝑄𝑄𝑢𝑢 𝐿𝐿 𝑄𝑄𝑢𝑢 𝐼𝐼𝑓𝑓
𝑠𝑠 = +
𝐴𝐴𝑐𝑐 𝐸𝐸𝑐𝑐 𝐷𝐷𝑠𝑠 𝐸𝐸mass
For 𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅𝑅 ≈ 80%, from figure 9.28, the value of 𝐸𝐸mass /𝐸𝐸core ≈ 0.5, thus
𝐸𝐸mass = 0.5𝐸𝐸core = (0.5)(0.36 × 106 ) = 0.18 × 106 lb/in2
𝐸𝐸𝑐𝑐 3 × 106
= ≈ 16.7
𝐸𝐸mass 0.18 × 106
𝐿𝐿 15
= =5
𝐷𝐷𝑠𝑠 3
From figure 9. 27, for 𝐸𝐸𝑐𝑐 /𝐸𝐸mass = 16.7 and 𝐿𝐿/𝐷𝐷𝑠𝑠 = 5, the magnitude of 𝐼𝐼𝑓𝑓 is about 0.35.
Hence
(2787 × 103 lb)(15 × 12 in. ) (2787 × 103 lb)(0.35)
𝑠𝑠 = 𝜋𝜋 + = 0.315 in.
(3 × 12 in. )2 (3 × 106 lb/in2 ) (3 × 12 in. )(0.18 × 106 lb/in2 )
4
< 0.4 𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖.
Hence 𝑄𝑄𝑢𝑢 = 2787 kip
𝑄𝑄𝑢𝑢 2787
𝑄𝑄all = = = 929 kip
𝐹𝐹𝐹𝐹 3
