356

*Bearing03: A footings width must increase with a rising WT.

What is the footing width B if, (a) for the water table as shown below, and (b) if the water table
rises to the ground surface? Use Meyerhofs equation, and a FS = 3.0.
200 Q kips = 240
u
c psf =
w
N
= 10 %
25 =
112 pcf =
G
S
= 2.68
D
f
= 4 ft


3 ft B
WT (square)

Solution:
(a) Find
sat
to determine :
( )
( )
3 3 3
112
101.8
1 1.10
101.8
1 0.61 1 0.61 0.39
2.68 62.4
101.8 (0.39) 62.4 126.2
' 126.2 62.4 63.8
dry
s
dry s
N s w s w
s v s
v
sat dry w dry w sat
sat w
W
pcf and V
w G G
set V ft V ft V V V ft
V
but n pcf
V
and pc

= = = = =
+
= = = = = =

= + = + = + =


= = = f


Try B = 5.7 feet with Meyerhofs equation for square, continuous and circular footings:

2 2
' ( ) ( ) 0.5 ( )
, 1
25
10 tan 45 tan 45 2.46,
2 2
5.7
1 (0.2) 1 (0.2)
5.7
ult c cs cd ci q qs qd qi s d i
ci qi i
p
cs p
q c N F F F qN F F F BN F F F
where the load inclination factors F F and F
For K therefore
B
F K
L

= + +
=

= + = + =



= + = +


(2.46) 1.49
4
1 (0.2) 1 (0.2) 2.46 1.22
5.7
4
1 (0.1) 1 (0.1) 2.46 1.11
5.7
5.7
1 (0.1) 1 (0.1)( )(2.46) 1.25
5.7
cd p
qd d p
qs s p
D
F K
B
D
F F K
B
B
F F K
L

= + = + =



= = + = + =



= = + = + =




357


25 ,
10.7
20.7
6.77
,
(0.24)(20.7)(1.49)(1.22)(1) (0.112)(4)(10.7)(1.25)(1.11)(1) (0.5)(0.112)(5.7)(6.67)(1.25)(1.11)(1)
18.6
q
c
ult
ult
ult
all
The Meyerhof bearing capacity factors for
N
N
N
Therefore the q
q
q ksf
q

=
=
=
=
= + +
=
=
2 2
18.6 200
6.2 32.25 5.7
3 6.2
5.7 .
ult
all
q Q
ksf therefore B ft B ft
FS q
Therefore the choice of B ft was a good choice
= = = = = =
=

Use B = 5.7 feet.


(b) When the water table rises to the ground surface, try B = 7.0 feet.
( )( ) ( ) ( )( )( ) ( )
7
1 0.2 1 0.2 (2.46) 1.49
7
1.49
4
1 0.1 1 0.1 2.46 1.09
7
1.25
(0.24)(20.7) 1.49 1.18 (0.062) 4 10.7 1.25 1.09 (0.5)(0.062)(7) 6.67 1.
cd p
cs
qd d p
qs s
ult
B
F K
L
F same as above
D
F F K
B
F F same as above
q

= + = + =


=

= = + = + =


= =
= + + ( ) ( )
2 2
09 1.25
16.62
16.62 200
5.54 36.1 6.01
3 5.54
ult
ult
all
all
q ksf
q Q
q ksf and B ft B ft
FS q
=
= = = = = = =


Iterate once more, and find B = 7.5 feet.