TOPICS & SYLLABUS:

Topic 1: Site investigation

Topic 2: Slope Stability
Topic 3: Shallow Foundations
Topic 4: Mat (Raft) Foundations
Topic 5: Pile Foundations
Topic 6: Earth Retaining Structures

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Civil Engineering 2022/2023
Subject: Geotechnical Design (CSE40403)

Topic 4 Mat Foundations

By Dr. Ning Zhang

Office: ZS928, Tel: 3400-8473
Email: [email protected]
Consultation hours: 15:00~17:00 Monday
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III.1 From combined footings to Mat Foundation

❑ Rectangular combined footing

Two or more columns can be supported on a single rectangular foundation
(allowable net) (In practice: by design of
individual footings, B1/2+B2/2
bigger or close to L3)

Qult ( net ) qult ( net ) A Q1 + Q2

Fs = =  A= Fs
Qall ( net ) Q1 + Q2 qult ( net )

Q2 L3
X=
Q1 + Q2

B=
A L = 2 ( L2 + X )
L
(L = L1+L2+L3)
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III.1 From combined footings to Mat Foundation

❑ Trapezoidal combined footing

is sometimes used as
an isolated spread
foundation of
columns carrying large
loads where space is
tight

(In practice: too tight

or not enough space
close to column 2)

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III.1 From combined footings to Mat Foundation

❑ Cantilever footing

It uses a strap beam to connect

an eccentrically loaded column
foundation to the foundation of
an interior column. It is normally
adopted when the distances
between the columns are large.

To strengthen the integrity of the foundation, adjust the uneven settlement between the
foundations, and eliminate or reduce the sensitivity of the superstructure to settlement.

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III.1 From combined footings to Mat Foundation

❑ Mat foundations (or raft foundation)

is a combined footing that may cover the entire area under a structure
supporting several columns and walls.

Flat plate (uniform Flat plate thickened

Beams and slab
thickness) under columns
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III.1 From combined footings to Mat Foundation

❑ Mat foundations (or raft foundation)

is a combined footing that may cover the entire area under a structure
supporting several columns and walls.

Flat plates with pedestals

Slab with basement walls as a part of the mat7
III.1 From combined footings to Mat Foundation

❑ Mat foundations (or raft foundation)

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 Attention:
III.2 Bearing capacity of mat foundations In footing: Qall ( net ) = Qlive + dead
In mat foundation: Qall ( net ) = Qlive + dead −  D f A
Gross ultimate bearing capacity pressure
qu = cN c Fcs Fcd Fci + qN q Fqs Fqd Fqi + 12  BN  F s F d F i

Net ultimate capacity pressure

(*  is total unit weight if saturated, not effective,
qu ( net ) = qu − q = qu −  D f because of boundary closed, total weight removed)

Net allowable pressure Different from footing

Q: allowable load from the
Q
qall ( net ) = −  D f superstructure (live+dead)
A  Df: removed weight of soils
(excavated, like unloading)
Factor of safety
qu ( net )
FS = 3
qall ( net )

(* definition based on net …)

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III.2 Bearing capacity of mat foundations

Special case:
for saturated clays (f’=0) and a vertical loading condition, qu(net)=?

qu = cN c Fcs Fcd Fci + qN q Fqs Fqd Fqi + 12  BN  F s F d F i

= cu N c Fcs Fcd Fci + q (for f’ = 0, N = 0; Fqs = Fqd = Fqi = 1)


 N q = 1; N c = 5.14; N = 0

 B Nq B 1 0.195B
f = 0   Fcs = 1 + = 1+ = 1+
 L Nc L 5.14 L
 D
 Fcd = 1 + 0.4 f
 B

qu ( net ) = qu − q = cu N c Fcs Fcd Fci (Fci = 1)  0.195B   Df 

5.14cu 1 +  1 + 0.4 
qu ( net )  L  B 
 0.195B   Df  FS = =
= 5.14cu 1 +  1 + 0.4  qall ( net ) Q
−  Df
 L  B  A
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Example 1
The mat shown in the Figure has a dimension of 18.3
m × 30.5 m. The total dead and live load on the mat is
111 × 103 kN. The mat is placed over a saturated clay
having a unit weight of 18.87 kN/m3 and cu = 134
kN/m2. Given that Df = 1.52 m determine the factor of
safety against bearing capacity failure.

Solution: The factor of safety

 0.195 B   Df 
5.14cu 1 +  1 + 0 .4
 L  B 
FS =
Q
−  Df
A
We are given that cu = 134 kN m 2 , D f = 1.52 m, B = 18.3 m, L = 30.5 m, and  =
18.87 kN m3 . Hence,
 0.195  18.3   1.52 
5.14 134  1 +  1 + 0 .4 
 30.5  18.3 
FS = = 4.66
111 103
− 18.87  1.52
18.3  30.5
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 III.2 Bearing capacity of mat foundations

Empirical design according to the

standard penetration resistance
(after Meyrhof 1965, Bowles 1977):

2B
Averaged standard penetration number between the
bottom of the foundation and 2B below the bottom
Depth of the foundation bottom (m)
N 60  B + 0.3    D f    Se 
2
 Se 
qall ( net ) =   1+0.33      16.63 N 60   Allowable settlement (mm)
0.08  B    B   25   25 
according to the design code
Net allowable
bearing capacity
Width of the foundation (m),
(kPa)
normally B is big in mat
foundation, so 2
 B + 0.3 
  1
 B 

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Example 2
Following the results of a standard penetration test in Depth (m) Field value of N60
the field (sandy soil) as the table at right:
1.5 9
Estimate the 12net allowable bearing capacity of a mat
B
foundation 6.5 m × 5 m in plan. Here, Df = 1.5 m and 3.0 12
allowable settlement = 50 mm. Assume that the unit 4.5 11
weight of soil, γ = 16.5 kN/m3.
6.0 7
7.5 13
N 60   D f    Se   Se  9.0 11
qall( net ) = 1+0.33      16.63 N 60  
0.08   B   25   25  10.5 13
The bottom of the foundation = 1.5 m,
2B below the bottom = 1.5+2x5=11.5 m
Solution: Df + 2B
9 + 12 + 11 + 7 + 13 + 11 + 13
N 60 =  11
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N   D   S  S 
qall( net ) = 60 1+0.33  f    e   16.63 N 60  e 
0.08   B    25   25 
11   1.5    50 
= 1 + 0 .3 3     = 302.23kN m 2
 365 .86 kN m 2

0.08   5    25 
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III.3 Settlement of mat foundations

Same as before: Foundation settlement under load can be classified according

to two major types:
1− 2
(1) Immediate, or elastic settlement, Se Se = qo ( B) Is I f
E
(2) Consolidation settlement, Sc (i.e., Sc(p), Sc(s)) Se ( rigid )  0.93Se ( flexible, center )
(i) For over-consolidated clay-Area with  0 +  av
   c : 1− 2
or Se = qo Be I G I F I E
  +  av E

獾
C
Sc ( p ) = s log 0 Hc
1 + e0  0 CS

(ii) For normally consolidated clay-Area with  0 =  c &  0 +  av

   c :
c
C   +  av
Sc ( p ) = c log 0 Hc
1 + e0 0
(iii) From overconsolidated to normally consolidated
with  0 =  c &  0 +  av
   c :
 C  C   +  av  C  t2 
Sc ( p ) =  s log c + c log 0  Hc Sc (s) = H c log  
 1 + e0  0 1 + e0  c  1 + ep  t1 
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III.4 Compensated foundation
The net pressure increases in the soil under a mat foundation can be reduced by
increasing the depth Df of the mat. This approach is generally referred to as the
补偿
compensated foundation design and is extremely useful when structures are to be
built on very soft clays.  0.195B   D 
5.14c 1 + 1 + 0.4  u
f

qu ( net )  L  B 
FS = =
q Q
Depth of mat for a fully compensated foundation all ( net )
A
−  Df

Q Q floating foundation
qall ( net ) = −  D f =0  D f =
A A
Also, stress increase is zero since q=0,
no settlement. So, absolutely safe!

Factor of safety (for partially compensated

foundations, not required)

qu ( net ) qu ( net )  Q 
FS = = D
 f  
qall ( net ) Q
−  Df   A 
A

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Example 3
A mat foundation on a saturated clay soil has dimensions of 20 m × 20 m. Given: dead
and live load =48 MN, cu = 30 kN/m2, and γclay = 18.5 kN/m3.
a. Find the depth, Df, of the mat for a fully compensated foundation.
b. What will be the depth of the mat (Df) for a factor of safety of 3 against bearing
capacity failure?

Q Q
Compensated: qall ( net ) = −  D f =0  D f =
A A

 0.195 B   Df 
5.14cu 1 +  1 + 0 .4
 L  B 
FS =
Q
−  Df
A
for saturated clays

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Example 3
A mat foundation on a saturated clay soil has dimensions of 20 m × 20 m. Given: dead
and live load =48 MN, cu = 30 kN/m2, and γclay = 18.5 kN/m3.
a. Find the depth, Df, of the mat for a fully compensated foundation.
b. What will be the depth of the mat (Df) for a factor of safety of 3 against bearing
capacity failure?

Solution: For part a

Q 48  103
Df = =  6.5 m
A ( 20  20 )  18.5
For part b
 0.195 B   Df 
5.14cu 1 +  1 + 0 . 4
 L  B 
FS = =3
Q
−  Df
A
 0.195  20   Df 
5.14  30  1 +  1 + 0 .4
 20  20 
 =3
48  103
− 18.5 D f
20  20
 D f = 2.96 m
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Example 4
Consider a mat foundation 30 m x 40 m in plan, as shown in the figure below. The total
dead and live load on the raft is 200 x 103 kN. Estimate the consolidation settlement at
the center of the foundation.
(n=L’/H)

Attention: only for stress

increase below corner!
(m=B’/H)

Average stress increase:

corner
6 ow =
6 (< 6 i + 4 < 6的 + 66 b) ,
(can use 2:1 method with simplified
average formula alternatively,
depending on what required!) 18
Example 4
Consider a mat foundation 30 m x 40 m in plan, as shown in the figure below. The total
dead and live load on the raft is 200 x 103 kN. Estimate the consolidation settlement at
the center of the foundation.
smiddle of day lyer
Solution:

(middle of clay layer)

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Example 4

Solution:

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Summary

❑ From combined footings to Mat Foundation

✓ Rectangular combined footing
✓ Trapezoidal combined footing
✓ Cantilever footing
✓ Mat foundations (or raft foundation)
- Flat plate (uniform thickness)
- Flat plate thickened under columns
- Beams and slab
- Flat plates with pedestals
- Slab with basement walls as a part of the mat
❑ Bearing capacity of mat foundations [FS based on net ….]
❑ Settlement of mat foundations Q: allowable load from the superstructure
(live+dead)
 Df: removed weight of soils (excavated)
 : total unit weight
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