2.

Ultimate Bearing Capacity of Shallow Foundation: Special

Cases

2.1. Foundation Supported by a Soil with a Rigid Base at Shallow Depth

Figure 1. Failure surface under a rough, continuous foundation with a rigid, rough base
located at a shallow depth

Neglecting the depth factors, the ultimate bearing capacity of rough circular nd
rectangular foundations on a sand layer (c’=0) wth a rough, rigid base located at a
shallow depth:
q u = 0 + qN ∗ q F ∗ qs + 12 γBN ∗ γ F ∗ γs

F ∗ qs and F ∗ γs are modified shape factors.

B B
F ∗ qs ≈ 1 − m1   and F ∗ γs ≈ 1 − m 2  
L L

For saturated clay (i.e., under the undrained condition, or φ’ = 0)

q u = cu N ∗ c + q

Problem:

A square foundation measuring 0.75 m x 0.75 m is constructed on a layer of sand. We are

given that Df = 0.6 m, γ = 17 kN/m2, φ’ = 35° and c’ = 0. A rock layer is located at a
depth of 0.5 m below the bottom of foundation. Using the factor of safety of 4, determine
the gross allowable load the foundation can carry.
Solution:

q u = 0 + qN ∗ q F ∗ qs + 12 γBN ∗ γ F ∗ γs
and
q u = γD f = 17 x 0.6 = 10.2 kN/m2

For φ’ = 35°, H/B = 0.5 / 0.75 = 0.67, N*q ≈ 90 and N*γ ≈ 50,
and
m1 = 0.34
B  0.75 
F ∗ qs = 1 − m1   = 1 − 0.34  = 0.66
L  0.75 
m2 = 0.45
B  0.75 
F ∗ γs = 1 − m2   = 1 − 0.45  = 0.55
L  0.75 
Hence,
q u = 0 + qN ∗ q F ∗ qs + 12 γBN ∗ γ F ∗ γs
= 0 + (10.2)(90)(0.66) + ½ (17)(0.75)(50)(0.55)
= 0 + 605.88 + 175.3125
= 781.1925 kN/m2
and
q u B 2 (781.1925)(0.75) 2
Qall = = = 109.855 kN
FS 4
2.2. Bearing Capacity of Foundation on Top of a Slope

Figure 2. Shallow foundation on top of a slope

qu = c ′N c q + 12 γBN γq

for purely granular soil, c’ = 0 ; q u = 12 γBN γq

for purely cohesive soil, φ = 0 (undrained condition) ; qu = cN c q

Problem:

In Figure 2. for a shallow continuous foundation in a clay, the following data is given: B
= 1.2 m; Df = 1.2 m ; b = 0.8 m ; H = 6.2 m ; β = 30° ; unit weight of soil = 17.5 kN/m3 ;
φ = 0 ; and c = 50 kN/m2. Determine the gross allowable bearing capacity with a factor of
safety FS = 4.

Solution:

Since B<H, the stability number Ns is assumed 0

qu = cN c q

Df / B = 1.2 / 1.2 = 1
b / B = 0.8 / 1.2 = 0.67
For β = 30° ; Df / B = 1 ; b / B = 0.67
Ncq = 6.3.
Hence,
qu = cN c q = (50)(6.3) = 315 kN/m2 and qall = qu / FS = 315 / 4 = 78.8 kN/m2.
2.3. Bearing Capacity of Foundation on a Slope

Figure 3. Shallow continuous foundation on a slope

for purely granular soil, c’ = 0 ; q u = 12 γBN γqs

for purely cohesive soil, φ = 0 (undrained condition) ; q u = cN cqs