Shallow Foundation

Settlement

Settlement

Immediate Settlement: Occurs immediately after the construction. This is

computed using elasticity theory (Important for Granular soil)
Primary Consolidation: Due to gradual dissipation of pore pressure induced by
external loading and consequently expulsion of water from the soil mass, hence
volume change. (Important for Inorganic clays)
Secondary Consolidation: Occurs at constant effective stress with volume
change due to rearrangement of particles. (Important for Organic soils)
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For any of the above mentioned settlement calculations, we first need
vertical stress increase in soil mass due to net load applied on the
2
foundation

Elastic Settlement

Stress Due to a Concentrated Load

Stress due to a Circularly Loaded

Area

Distribution of Stress
(from a vertical line load)

Stress below a Rectangular Area

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Stress Influence Chart

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Approximate methods

2:1 method

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Approximate methods

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Average Vertical Stress Increases

Due to a Rectangularly Loaded Area

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Average Vertical Stress Increases

Due to a Rectangularly Loaded Area

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Average Vertical Stress Increases

in a given layer

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Elastic settlement Based on the

Theory of Elasticity

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Elastic Settlement of Rectangular

footings

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Elastic Settlement on Saturated

Clay

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Multi-layer systems

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Elastic Settlement

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Elastic Settlement

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Elastic Settlement

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Elastic Settlement

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Elastic Settlement Using the Strain Influence

Factor: [Schmertman Method (1978)]

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Elastic Settlement Using the Strain Influence

Factor: [Schmertman Method (1978)]

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Elastic Settlement Using the Strain Influence Factor:

[Schmertman Method (1978)]

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Elastic Settlement Using the Strain Influence Factor:

[Schmertman Method (1978)]

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Elastic Settlement Using the Strain Influence Factor:

[Schmertman & Hartman Method (1978)]

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Procedure for Schmertman Method (1978)

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Procedure for Schmertman Method (1978)

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Procedure for Schmertman Method (1978)

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Procedure for Schmertman Method (1978)

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Notes on Schmertmann Method

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Notes Cont

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Notes Cont

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Elastic Settlement Using the Strain Influence

Factor: [Schmertman Method (1978)]

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Primary Consolidation
Expulsion of water from soils accompanied
by increase in effective stress and strength
Amount can be reasonably estimated based
on lab data, but rate is often poorly estimated

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Consolidation Settlement
This method makes use of the results of the conventional
oedometer test where the consolidation parameters of the soil
are measured.
To compute the stress changes within the soil mass. The
stress changes are computed using a Boussinesqtype
approach assuming elasticity.
The important parameter for consolidation settlement
calculation is the net effective stress change in the soil.
Usually the settlements are calculated for the soil divided into
a number of sub-layers and the final total settlement is the
sum of individual sub-layer settlements
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Consolidation Settlement

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Consolidation Settlement

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Consolidation Settlement

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Consolidation Settlement

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Consolidation Settlement

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Consolidation Settlement

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Consolidation Settlement

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Secondary Consolidation
At the end of primary settlement, settlement
may continue to develop due to the plastic
deformation (creep) of the soil.
The stage of consolidation is called secondary
consolidation.

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Secondary Compression Index

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Field Load Test

Ultimate load, allowable
load, and settlement can
be determined from a
field load test (ASTM D1194-72).
The test plates are either
square (12or 18) or
circular (12 to 30)

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Allowable Bearing Capacity for

Sandy Soil based on Settlement

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Allowable Bearing Capacity for

Sandy Soil based on Settlement

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Reliability of Settlement
Computations
The predication is quite satisfactorily in
general.
The predication is better for inorganic,
insensitive clays than for others.
The time rate of consolidation settlement
is not well-predicted.
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