Coefficients of Subgrade Reaction and

Foundation Spring Constants

 Soil acts a system if identical but mutually
independent, closely spaced, discrete, lineraly
elastic springs.
The coefficient of subgrade reaction is
derived as a function of the modulus of
deformation of the ground.
 kH= kHO.(BH /0.30)-3/4

Where:
kH = Coefficient of Horizontal Subgrade Reaction. (kN/m3)
BH = Equivalent loading width of foundation. (m)
= ( D / )1/2 (For Pile Foundation)
D=Pile Diameter. (m)
= Characteristic Value of Foundation
= ( kH.D / 4.E.I)1/4 . (m-1)
 kHO = .Eo / 0.30

Where:
kHO = Reference value of the coefficient of horizontal sub grade
reaction. (kN/m3)
= coefficient for estimation of the coefficient of subgrade
Eo = Modulus of deformation at the design location. (kN/m2)

Test Methods for obtaining Eo
Ordinary Conditions During Earthquake
Plate bearing test using a rigid disc of dia. 30cm 1 2
Measured in the Borehole 4 8
Unconfined or Triaxial compression test 4 8
Estimated Eo=2,800N using N-Value of SPT 1 2
 kHO = (ED /0.30)

Where:
ED = Dynamic Modulus of deformation of the ground. (kN/m2)
ED =2(1+ VD ) GD
VD = Dynamic Poisson's ratio of the ground
GD = Dynamic shear deformation modulus of deformation of the
ground (kN/m2)
GD = (t / g) V2SD
t = unit weight of the ground, (kN/m3)
g = gravitational acceleration (9.8 m/sec2)
VSD = Shear elastic wave velocity of the ground, (m/s)
Condition VD
Above ground water level in alluvial or diluvial ground 0.45
Below ground water level in alluvial or diluvial ground 0.5
In soft rock 0.4
In hard rock 0.3
For the i-th soil layer, VSD can be calculated as:

VSDi = cv Vsi

Where:
cv = modification factor based on the degree of ground strain
= 0.8 for Vsi < 300m/s
= 1.0 for Vsi 300m/s
Vsi = Average Shear elastic wave velocity of the i-th soil layer
= 100 Ni1/3 for cohesive soil layer (1Ni 25)
= 80 Ni1/3 for cohesionless soil layer (1Ni 50)
Ni = Average N-Value of the i-th layer of soil obtained from SPT.
 kV= kVO.(BV /0.30)-3/4

Where:
kV = Coefficient of Horizontal Subgrade Reaction. (kN/m3)
BV = Pile Diameter. (m)
 kvO = .Eo / 0.30

Where:
kvO = Reference value of the coefficient of vertical sub grade
reaction (kN/m3)
= coefficient for estimation of the coefficient of sub grade
Eo = Modulus of deformation at the design location. (kN/m2)

Test Methods for obtaining Eo
Ordinary Conditions During Earthquake
Plate bearing test using a rigid disc of dia. 30cm 1 2
Measured in the Borehole 4 8
Unconfined or Triaxial compression test 4 8
Estimated Eo=2,800N using N-Value of SPT 1 2
 kVO = (ED /0.30)

Where:
ED = Dynamic Modulus of deformation of the ground. (kN/m2)
ED =2(1+ VD ) GD
VD = Dynamic Poisson's ratio of the ground
GD = Dynamic shear deformation modulus of deformation of the
ground (kN/m2)
GD = (t / g) V2SD
t = unit weight of the ground, (kN/m3)
g = gravitational acceleration (9.8 m/sec2)
VSD = Shear elastic wave velocity of the ground, (m/s)
Condition VD
Above ground water level in alluvial or diluvial ground 0.45
Below ground water level in alluvial or diluvial ground 0.5
In soft rock 0.4
In hard rock 0.3
Where:
D = Pile Diameter. (m)
Ac = Area of Pile. (m2)
Ic = Moment of Inertia. (m4)
Es = Steel Modulus of Elasticity. (kPa)
Ec = Concrete Modulus of Elasticity. (kPa)
Es/
Ec = Modular Ratio
1/ = Ground Depth relating to the horizontal resistance and

equal to or less than the effective embedment depth. (m)
Note: 1/1 = 1/2
Initial Assumption, 1/1 = 3D
Solve for BH
Solve for (ED)
Solve for KHO
Solve for KH
Solve for
Solve for 1/
2
If / / , repeat process, solved 1/ will become the new
1 1
1/ 1 1/2 = 1/ 2
1 until 1 2