HONG KONG UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND

TECHNOLOGY
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING

FOUNDATION PROJECT
CIVL 5720 ADVANCE FOUNDATION ENGNEERING

GROUP MEMBERS
CHOW JUN KANG 20020628
WU YUXIN
Contents
Introduction......................................................................................................................................2
Description of the foundation..........................................................................................................3
Functions......................................................................................................................................3
Geology and site investigation.....................................................................................................3
Foundation layout........................................................................................................................6
Design principles..........................................................................................................................6
Construction sequence.................................................................................................................6
Design calculations..........................................................................................................................7
Design problems..............................................................................................................................9
Appendix 1.....................................................................................................................................10
Appendix 2.....................................................................................................................................11

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Introduction
In this report, we are going to discuss a case of shallow foundation of 2 blocks of 3-storey
buildings constructed at Shaoguan City. The project title was
(Commercial buildings at Shaoguan) and the site was located at (Qu Jiang Qu
You Yi Lu). The surface coverage of this construction project was approximately 2260 m 2 and
the ground elevation was at around +59.15mPD. Figure 1 shows the layout plan of the 2 blocks
of 3-storey buildings. The height of the buildings was 12.2m.

Figure 1. Layout plan of the 2 blocks of 3-storey buildings.

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Description of the foundation
Functions
To support the superstructure, a single shallow foundation was constructed. Generally, this
foundation was made of reinforced concrete of 0.7m thick, with the base located at the depth of
3.8m. Reinforced concrete column was constructed to connect the foundation with the
superstructures on the top, hence to transfer the loading from top to the bottom. The bearing
materials of the foundation was slightly dense round gravel, with some sand and clayey soil
present locally within the void.
Geology and site investigation
The geological condition of the site was investigated to determine the design of the foundation
required. 22 boreholes were drilled for collecting 11 disturbed samples and 11 undisturbed
samples at different depth. Surveying was first carried out to determine the coordinates of the
boreholes. In-situ tests such Standard Penetration Test (SPT), Dynamic Penetration Test (DPT),
preliminary hydrogeological observation were then carried out. The samples collected were sent
to laboratory for testing the soil properties, rock compressive strength and chemical properties of
underground water. Table 1 summarizes the results of the ground investigation.
Table 1. Geological information of the soil layers and rock stratum at the construction site.
1 Fill Brown, yellow, relatively loose silty CLAY backfill mainly
made with some uneven shaped GRAVEL.
The thickness of the fill encountered varied between 2.45m
and 4.5m, with an average value of 3.41m.
The top surface located at the ground surface.
2 Alluvium Round Pale yellow, brown yellow, slightly dense round GRAVEL,
gravel with diameter of 2-20 m. Locally, SAND and clayey soils are
present within the void.
The thickness of the round gravel varied between 2.60m and
16.30m, with an average thickness of 8.11m, the top surface
was around 2.40m to 4.50 m below the ground (at elevation
+54.56mPD ~ +56.53mPD).
6 groups of samples were taken for 81 times of heavy DPT.
The measured blow count was N = 5 ~ 17, with average
value of 10; the corrected blow count was N = 4.7 ~ 13.2,
with average value of 8.4.
The recommended value of bearing capacity was 200 kPa.
Plastic Brown, yellow, plastic, uniform silty CLAY, with slightly
Silty clay weathered BRECCIA.
The thickness varied between 5.60m and 17.90m, with
average thickness of 11.82m, the top surface was around
5.70m to 20.10m below the ground (at elevation +39.16mPD
~ +53.21mPD).
6 samples were taken for 10 times of SPT. The measured

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 blow count was N = 9 ~ 16, with average value of 11.5; the
corrected blow count was N = 7.9.
The recommended value of bearing capacity was 160 kPa.
Soft Brown, yellow,Fill
soft plastic, uniform silty CLAY, containing
plastic a small amount of gravel.
silty clay The thickness of the alluvium was around 12.0m, the top
Round gravel
surface was around 18.60m below the ground (at elevation
+40.84mPD).
The recommended value of bearing capacity was 70 kPa.
3 Eluvium Silty clay Brown, yellow, plastic, uniform silty CLAY, locally
Silty clay
containing a small amount of weathered breccia.
The thickness of the eluvium was around 2.40m to 16.70m,
with an average thickness of 10.62m, the top surface was
around 16.80m to 26.30m below the ground (at elevation
+32.76mPD ~ +42.98mPD).
Silty
6 samples were clay
taken for 9 times of SPT. The measured blow
count was N = 14 ~ 19, with average value of 16.7; the
corrected blow count was N = 11.0.
The recommended value of bearing capacity was 180kPa.
4 Bedrock Slightly Light gray, gray, thick, aphanitic slightly weather
Bedrock
weathered LIMESTONE.
limestone Rock fractures were developed. The rock were complete,
hard, with shaped of core short column and pillar.
RQD = 55-85%, basic rock mass rating was Grade III.
The thickness of LIMESTONE was around 1.90m to 3.70m,
with an average thickness of 2.34m, the top surface was at
depth of 26.40 ~ 32.60m below the ground (at elevation
+26.98mPD ~ +32.77mPD).
6 groups of samples were taken. The measured compressive
strength value was 23.5-60.8MPa, with an average of
42.8MPa.

Figure 2. The geological condition of a section of the construction site.

Other than the information observed from the soil samples drilled, other soil properties were
obtained in the laboratory and recommended for the design purpose are summarized in Table 2.
Table 2. Properties of soils and rock at different layers obtained from laboratory testings.
Layer 1 2 3 4
Slightly
Plastic silty
Soil Fill Silty clay weathered
clay
limestone
Bulk density (g/cm3) 1.70 1.92 1.92 2.20

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Water content (%) -- 31.9 26.0 --
Void ratio -- 0.863 0.765 --
Modulus of compressibility
-- 6.02 6.62 --
(MPa)
Modulus of deformation (MPa) -- 20 25 --
Cohesion (kPa) 5 38.2 42.7 --
Effective friction angle () 9 11.2 16.5 --

The measured groundwater was located at the depth of 2.30 ~ 3.40m (at elevation +55.97mPD ~
+57.22mPD). The change in groundwater level was 1-2m, due to the change in season, climate,
as well as groundwater storage, recharge and excretion. The drainage of the site was relatively
well, as loose fill and round gravel with high permeability coefficient were found at the
construction site. For design purpose, the designed groundwater level was set at 2.30m below the
ground for the entire construction site.
Summarizing the building structure and load characteristics of this project, single and strip
foundation were recommended for these low-rise buildings, with the based sitting on the round
gravel layer. The size and depth of the foundation was determined based on the bearing capacity
recommended. Recommendation was suggested to pay attention on the differential settlement of
after the clearances of fill on the top.
Foundation layout
Single shallow foundations were constructed to support both 3-storey buildings. To ease the
construction processes, square and rectangular shallow foundations were designed to support the
loadings.
Design principles
Basically, the loadings of the superstructure is transferred to the shallow foundation via the
columns connected. Then, the loads transferred to the foundation are resisted by the bearing layer
to prevent any geotechnical failure. The foundation was designed according to Code for Design
of Concrete Structures (GB 50010 2010), Code for Design of Building Structures (GB 50007
2011) and Code for Seismic Design of Buildings (GB 50011 2010). To design the shallow
foundations, basic requirements such as eccentricity of loadings was checked. To ensure no
failures happen in the future, partial factors were adopted to increase the factor of safety of the
foundations. Bearing capacity of the shallow foundation was calculated according to Terzaghi
Method and the settlement analysis was done with Schmertmann method.
Construction sequence
1. Install sheetpile wall around the site to prevent the collapse of soil surrounding during
excavation.
2. Excavate the materials up to the depth of 3.8m using a backhoe. Some hand work is
necessary to produce a clean excavation. If the groundwater table is higher than the base
of foundation to be constructed, dewatering is required to temporarily lower down the
water table.

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 3. Once the excavation is open, check the exposed soils to verify that they are comparable to
those used in the design.
4. Carry out in-situ ground improvement works if necessary to improve the properties of
bearing materials. The site at the depth of 3.8m is composed of fill and round gravel.
5. Compact the base area.
6. Build a thin layer (1m) of concrete to act as the bottom cover.
7. Install the reinforcement. The reinforcement consists of closely packed bars placed at
right angles to one another. The rebars are placed such that they extend above the
completed footing, thus providing a lap splice with the column or wall steel.
8. Lay the remaining concrete to the required thickness. Make sure the concrete laid is then
properly cured.
9. Backfill the area above the foundation up to the depth required (the initial level of ground
surface).

Design calculations
To check for the eccentricity of loadings (to ensure no tension acted on the foundation)
Design information: GB 50007
Type: Square shallow foundation - 2011
Dimension (in mm):
b1 = 2400, b11 = 1200, a1 = 1600, a11 = 800, h1 = 300;
b2 = 1500, b21 = 750, a2 = 1100, a21 = 550, h2 = 300
Square column, A = 500, B = 500
Designed water table = 2.3 m from the ground surface
Foundation depth = 3.8 m from the ground surface
Unit weight of the bearing material (round gravel) = 20.0 kN/m3 5.2.4
Ultimate bearing capacity, fa = 365 kPa
Moment arm = 0.7 m
Bending moment due to shear force, M = V*h
Nominal moment: Myk = 30.00 kN.m, Mxk = 30.00 kN.m 3.0.6-4

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 Factored moment (With safety factor of 1.35): M y = 47.25 kN.m, Mx =
47.25 kN.m
b2

b21

B
a2 a21
A a11 a1

b11

b1

Reaction force: GB 50007

Loading on foundation: - 2011
Nominal load: Nk = 1900.00 kN, Mxk = 15.00 kN.m, Myk = 85.00 kN.m 3.0.6-4
Factored load (With safety factor of 1.35): N = 2565.00 kN, Mx = 20.25
kN.m, My = 114.75 kN.m 5.2.2-1
N k +Gk
p k = =357.07 kPa 5.2.2-2
A
N k +Gk M xk M yk
pkmax = + + =391.20 kPa 5.2.2-3
A Wx W y
N k +Gk M xk M yk
pkmin= =322.93 kPa
A Wx W y
Reaction pressure at every corner: p1 = 333.17 kPa, p2 = 391.20 kPa, p3 =
380.96 kPa, p4 = 322.93 kPa

7
 5.2.1-1
5.2.1-2

Bearing pressure (kPa)

Verification of bearing capacity

pk =357.07 kPa< f a =365.17 kPa satisfied

pkmax =391.20 kPa<1.2 f a=438.20 kPa satisfied

Bearing capacity check using Terzaghis method

Soil information: Round gravel
c = 0 kPa
= 30
unit weight, = 20 kN/m3
Using a Factor of safety = 3, allowable load = 530 kPa > pkmax satisfied
For detail calculation, please refer Appendix 1.

Settlement analysis using Schmertmann method

Servicetime = 50years
Other variables are same as above.
Settlement calculated = 7.65 mm
Allowable load = 469 kPa > pkmax satisfied
For detail calculation, please refer Appendix 2.

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Design problems
The water table at the construction site was relatively high, which was higher than
the base of the shallow foundation. Dewatering is required to lower down the water
table to permit the structure to be constructed in the dry. Horizontal drainage is
recommended. The installation of horizontal dewatering systems is relatively easy. Install
an unperforated pipe followed by a synthetic or organic wrapped perforated pipe.
Generally the drain length required is 50 m. A pump is connected to the drainpipe to drain
the water out from the construction site. After the construction is completed and the
pumps are stopped, the water table will eventually rise again.
Differential settlement induced from the different types of soils supporting the
foundation. As the soil profile of the construction site is not uniform, At the depth of
3.8m, the major types of soil are round gravel, while some of the parts at this depth are
loose fill. The different in bearing capacity of the soils may induce differential settlement
on the structures supported. The best method of preventing differential settlement is to do
ground improvement by removing the disturbed soils (loose fill) and replacing them
with round gravel, followed by compaction.

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Appendix 1
Calculation of bearing capacity of foundation using Terzaghis method

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Appendix 2
Settlement analysis of foundation using Schmertmann method

End of depth of

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