Foundation Engineering I, Spring 2024-2025 Problem Session IV
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Müge Balkaya, Res. Assist. İrem Toprak Gülnergiz 28.04.2025
SHALLOW FOUNDATIONS
1. Calculate the bearing capacity for different types of foundations given below:
i) A strip footing having 2.5m width,
ii) A (2.5x2.5)m2 square footing,
iii) A circular footing having 2.5 m diameter,
=35o , =18.5 kN/m3 , Df =2.5 m, c = 0
Terzaghi’s Bearing Capacity Equations
Nc Nq Nγ
For Continuous or Strip Foundation (o)
0 5.70 1.0 0.0
1
qult = c N c + qNq + BN
' 5 7.34 1.64 0.14
2 10 9.61 2.69 0.56
15 12.86 4.45 1.52
For Square Foundation 20 17.69 7.44 3.64
25 25.13 12.72 8.34
qult = 1.3c ' N c + qN q + 0.4BN 30
34
37.16
52.64
22.46
36.50
19.13
38.04
35 57.75 41.44 45.41
For Circular Foundation 40 95.66 81.27 115.31
45 172.28 173.28 325.34
qult = 1.3c ' N c + qN q + 0.3BN 48 258.28 287.85 650.67
50 347.50 415.14 1072.80
2. A (3x3)m2 square footing has to be constructed
in a sand layer. C –C
A
a) When GWT is located beyond influence zone 1m
B –B
b) When GWT is at A-A level A
c) When GWT is at B-B level 2m
Kum
d) When GWT is at C-C level =15 kN/m3
doy=19 kN/m3
Calculate qult for each condition and determine the = 30
1m 3m
percentage of reduction of bearing capacity in the
final state compared with the initial state. A –A
A
Etki Zonu
1
q ult = c Nc Fcs Fcd Fci + q Nq Fqs Fqd Fqi + γ B Nγ Fγs Fγd Fγi
2
𝜙
Nq = e𝜋𝑡𝑎𝑛𝜙 tan2 (45 + )
2
Nc = (Nq − 1)𝑐𝑜𝑡𝜙
Nγ = 2(Nq − 1)𝑡𝑎𝑛𝜙
Foundation Engineering I, Spring 2024-2025 Problem Session IV
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Müge Balkaya, Res. Assist. İrem Toprak Gülnergiz 28.04.2025
3. A square footing is 1.8 m x 1.8 m with a 0.4 m x 0.4 m square column. It is loaded with an axial load of
1800 kN and Mx=450 kN.m; My=360 kN.m. Soil parameters are ϕ=28o and c=5 kPa. The footing depth
D=1.5 m; the soil unit weight 18 kN/m3. Check the bearing capacity of the footing.
y
My
m
B=L=1.8
Mx
m
0.4
0.4 m
B=1.8 m
m
D=1.5
My =360 kN.m
V=1800 kN
= kN/m3 =28o ; c=5 kPa
Shape Factors Depth Factors
For =0, For =0,
Fcs 1+0.2(B/L) Fcd 1+0.2(Df/B)
Fqs=Fs 1 Fqd=Fd 1
For >10, For >10,
Fcs 1+0.2(B/L)tan2 (45+/2) Fcd 1+0.2(Df/B)tan (45+/2)
Fqs=Fs 1+0.1(B/L)tan2(45+/2) Fqd=Fd 1+0.1(Df/B)tan(45+/2)
Foundation Engineering I, Spring 2024-2025 Problem Session IV
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Müge Balkaya, Res. Assist. İrem Toprak Gülnergiz 28.04.2025
4. A mat foundation with 15 m x 20 m dimensions will be constructed on the clay layer as shown in the
figure. The foundation depth is 6.0 m. The unit weights of the sand and clay layers are 18kN/m 3 and
20kN/m3, respectively. The shear strength parameter of sand is =20. The undrained shear strength of
clay illustrates cu=80 kN/m2.
a) Calculate the ultimate bearing capacity according to Meyerhof formulation. (qult)
b) Determine the net allowable (qnetall) and allowable (qall) bearing capacity of the mat foundation. Assume
FS=3.
c) If the uniform loading at the base of the mat foundation is 150kPa, find the factor of safety against failure.
Sand
6m
n=18 kN/m3
=20
15 m x 20 m
Clay
n=20 kN/m3
cu=80 kN/m2
q qnetult
qall = ult qnetult = qult − .D f qnet all =
Fs Fs
5. A mat foundation with 10 m x 15 m dimensions will be constructed on the clay layer as shown in the figure. The
foundation depth is 7.0 m. Total weight of the building (dead+live+raft) is 25000 kN. The unit weights of the sand
and clay layers are 17.5 kN/m3 and 19.5 kN/m3, respectively. The shear strength parameter of sand is =25. The
undrained shear strength of clay illustrates cu=60 kN/m2.
d) Find the foundation pressure and check the factor of safety against bearing capacity.
e) Calculate the total settlement (immediate+consolidation) of the building.
Sand
7m
n=17.5 kN/m3
=25
Clay
n=19.5 kN/m3 mv=3x10-4 m2/kN
cu=60 kN/m2 Eu=30000 kN/m2 8m
qult
qall =
Fs
