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Site Investigation for Foundation Design

This document discusses three topics related to site investigation for foundations: 1. It provides the formula to calculate the depth of exploration for a 30x50m, 15-storey building as 33m. 2. It explains how to correct SPT blowcount values (N) based on factors like soil type, groundwater level, and overburden pressure to determine the appropriate N1 value for design of a 2x2m footing at 2m depth. 3. It presents methods to determine the size of square column footings based on results from plate load tests, including considerations for maximum settlement of 40mm, safety factor of 2, and coefficient of subgrade reaction.

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Ahmad Salih
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19 views5 pages

Site Investigation for Foundation Design

This document discusses three topics related to site investigation for foundations: 1. It provides the formula to calculate the depth of exploration for a 30x50m, 15-storey building as 33m. 2. It explains how to correct SPT blowcount values (N) based on factors like soil type, groundwater level, and overburden pressure to determine the appropriate N1 value for design of a 2x2m footing at 2m depth. 3. It presents methods to determine the size of square column footings based on results from plate load tests, including considerations for maximum settlement of 40mm, safety factor of 2, and coefficient of subgrade reaction.

Uploaded by

Ahmad Salih
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

SITE INVESTIGATION (PROBLEMS & SOLUTIONS)

1. DEPTH OF EXPLORATION

Question:

Find the depth of exploration from ground level for the 30x50 m, 15 storey building.

Depth of Exploration = 28+5 =33 m.

Page 1 Dr. Najdat Sabri 2015-2016


2. SPT CALCULATIONS AND CORRECTIONS

Question:

Referring to Table given below estimate the SPT-N1 value you would use for a footing which is 2 x
2 m in dimensions and located at 2 m depth. Assume the unit weight of both sands is 18.1 kN/m3 and 19.7
kN/m3 above and below ground water table, respectively. GWT is at 6 m depth. Assume that the given N
values are corrected for energy efficiency and field procedures.

Solution: -

*1: Silty sand correction: SPT-N values should be corrected for the increased resistance due to
negative excess pore water pressure.

Applied when all three conditions are satisfied simultaneously:

(i) When the test is carried out in very fine sand or silty sand

(ii) When the test is carried out below ground water table

(iii) When N is greater than 15 (N > 15)

Page 2 Dr. Najdat Sabri 2015-2016


N’ = 15+ ½ (N-15)

Where;

N’: Silty sand corrected SPT-N value

Note that N’ values should always be reported as rounded to the nearest integer.

*2: Overburden correction (CN):

N1= N x CN

Within this depth interval the weighted average of SPT-N1 can be used solely for the analysis of given
footing.

Page 3 Dr. Najdat Sabri 2015-2016


3. PLATE LOAD TEST (FIELD LOAD TEST)

a. Footing on Clay (load test on clay)

Question:

The results of a plate load test in stiff clay are shown in the Figure below. The size of the test plate is
0.305 m x 0.305 m. Determine the size of a square column footing that should carry a load of 2500 kN. (FS
= 2.0; maximum permissible settlement is 40 mm)

Settlement calculation, however, is not very reliable; because it cannot represent consolidation
settlement. Generally, bearing capacity criteria governs, not the settlement, in the design of foundations
resting on clays.

Coefficient of subgrade reaction: (k is the slope of q vs S graph, for more

Page 4 Dr. Najdat Sabri 2015-2016


b. Load test on sand

Question:

The results of a plate load test in a sandy soil are shown in the Figure below. Size of the test plate:
0.305 m x 0.305 m. Determine the size of square footing that should carry a load of 2500 kN with a
maximum permissible settlement of 40 mm.

cccc

cohesion-less soils

( ) ( )

(
( )
(

B and b are in meters!

Square column footing of 2.55 x 2.55 m dimensions will be appropriate. Or,

Thus, coefficient of subgrade reaction (k) is

Page 5 Dr. Najdat Sabri 2015-2016

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