Elements of Soil Mechanics, 8th Edition

Examples 8.3 and 8.4

This spreadsheet is used to solve Examples 8.3 and 8.4.

Although the worksheet contains the data for Examples 8.3 & 8.4 from the book, the data
may be changed so that the reader can see the effect of varying the soil properties,
foundation dimensions etc.

Select any worksheet to enter data and view results.

Ian Smith, Sept 2005
This spreadsheet is used to solve Examples 8.3 and 8.4.
Although the worksheet contains the data for Examples 8.3 & 8.4 from the book, the data
may be changed so that the reader can see the effect of varying the soil properties,
Select any worksheet to enter data and view results.
Bearing Capacity: Rectangular footing, regular loading
Example 8.3 - Case (i) - undrained conditions
Length of footing L = 4.00 m
Breadth of footing B = 2.00 m
Foundation depth d = 1.00 m
Unit weight of soil
soil
= 20.00
kN/m
3
Undrained strength of soil c
u
= 24.00 kPa
Angle of shearing resistance
u
= 0.00
Enter values into blue fields.
Bearing Capacity results:
Ultimate bearing capacity
q
u
=
182.4 kPa
Bearing capacity factors
Nc = 5.14
Nq = 1.00
N = 0.00
Shape factors
Sc = 1.10
Sq = 1.00
S = 0.80
Depth factors
Dc = 1.20
Dq = 1.00
D = 1.00
Bearing Capacity: Rectangular footing, regular loading
Example 8.3 - Case (ii) - drained conditions
Length of footing L = 4.00 m
Breadth of footing B = 2.00 m
Foundation depth d = 1.00 m
Unit weight of soil
soil
= 20.00
kN/m
3
Effective cohesion c' = 0.00 kPa
Effective angle of shearing resistance ' = 25.00
Enter values into blue fields.
Bearing Capacity results:
Ultimate bearing capacity
q
u
=
477.9 kPa
Bearing capacity factors
Nc = 20.72
Nq = 10.66
N = 10.88
Shape factors
Sc = 1.26
Sq = 1.23
S = 0.80
Depth factors
Dc = 1.20
Dq = 1.16
D = 1.00
Bearing Capacity: Rectangular footing, regular loading
Example 8.4 - Case (i) - undrained conditions
Length of footing L = 4.00 m
Breadth of footing B = 2.00 m
Foundation depth d = 1.00 m
Unit weight of soil
soil
= 20.00
kN/m
3
Undrained strength of soil c
u
= 24.00 kPa
Angle of shearing resistance
u
= 0.00
Lumped safety factor F = 3.00
Enter values into blue fields.
Bearing Capacity results:
Ultimate bearing capacity
q
u
=
182.43 kPa
Net ultimate bearing capacity
q
u net
=
162.43 kPa
Safe bearing capacity
q
safe
=
74.14 kPa
Bearing capacity factors
Nc = 5.14
Nq = 1.00
N = 0.00
Shape factors
Sc = 1.10
Sq = 1.00
S = 0.80
Depth factors
Dc = 1.20
Dq = 1.00
D = 1.00
Bearing Capacity: Rectangular footing, regular loading
Example 8.4 - Case (ii) - drained conditions
Length of footing L = 4.00 m
Breadth of footing B = 2.00 m
Foundation depth d = 1.00 m
Unit weight of soil
soil
= 20.00
kN/m
3
Effective cohesion c' = 0.00 kPa
Effective angle of shearing resistance ' = 25.00
Lumped safety factor F = 3.00
Enter values into blue fields.
Bearing Capacity results:
Ultimate bearing capacity
q
u
=
477.86 kPa
Net ultimate bearing capacity
q
u net
=
457.86 kPa
Safe bearing capacity
q
safe
=
172.62 kPa
Bearing capacity factors
Nc = 20.72
Nq = 10.66
N = 10.88
Shape factors
Sc = 1.26
Sq = 1.23
S = 0.80
Depth factors
Dc = 1.20
Dq = 1.16
D = 1.00
This spreadsheet has been downloaded from the website that supports
Smith's Elements of Soil Mechanics, 8th Edition
Published by Blackwell Publishing, May 2006
ISBN: 1-4051-3370-8
Visit the website:
http://sbe.napier.ac.uk/esm
Purchase the book:
(Blackwell Publishing website)
http://sbe.napier.ac.uk/esm
Please note:
This spreadsheet is an aid for learning and should really only be used in
conjunction with the relevant section in the book.

It is not intended for use in geotechnical design.

Ian Smith, May 2006
This spreadsheet is an aid for learning and should really only be used in