soil mechanics Archives - OnlineEngineeringNotes https://onlineengineeringnotes.com/tag/soil-mechanics/ A Complete Guide to future Engineers Mon, 31 Mar 2025 04:47:45 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8 Mat foundation https://onlineengineeringnotes.com/2025/03/31/mat-foundation-bearing-capacity/ https://onlineengineeringnotes.com/2025/03/31/mat-foundation-bearing-capacity/#respond Mon, 31 Mar 2025 04:47:44 +0000 https://onlineengineeringnotes.com/?p=1656 1.1 Introduction and types of mat foundation Mat foundation: Types of mat foundation: 1. Flat slab mat 2. Flat slab thickedd under column 3. Rigid frame 4. Piled raft mat 5. Flat slab with pedestals 1.2 Bearing capacity and settlements 1. For cohesive soil qnu = CNc[1+0.2(Df/B)]*[1+0.2(B/L)] ∴  qnu = 5C[1+0.2(Df/B)]*[1+0.2(B/L)] Let, Q = Total ... Read more

The post Mat foundation appeared first on OnlineEngineeringNotes.

]]>
1.1 Introduction and types of mat foundation

Mat foundation:

  • A large footing which covers the entire area below a structure and supports arrangement of all wall and column.
  • Resist the differential settlement.

Types of mat foundation:

1. Flat slab mat

  • Single slab of uniform thickness.
  • Suitable for closed spaced.

2. Flat slab thickedd under column

  • Column is subjected to very heavy load.

3. Rigid frame

  • Used to carry extremely heavy load.

4. Piled raft mat

  • If soil is highly compressive then this is used.

5. Flat slab with pedestals

  • Same as flat slab but pedestals are provided at base.

1.2 Bearing capacity and settlements

1. For cohesive soil

  • In cohesive soil net ultimate bearing capacity is determined by skempton’s equation.

qnu = CNc[1+0.2(Df/B)]*[1+0.2(B/L)]

∴  qnu = 5C[1+0.2(Df/B)]*[1+0.2(B/L)]

Let,

Q = Total superimposed load

  • Gross pressure (qg) = Q/A
  • In term of net ultimate bearing capacity;

∴ qg = qns + γ Df = Q/A – γ Df

2. For cohesion less soil

  • Bearing capacity of cohesionless soil depends upon width of footing.

Safe bearing capacity is determined as:

∴ qns = 0.22 N2BRw1 + 0.67 (100+N2)DfRw2

  • Safe settlement pressure for a settlement 25 mm is

∴ qns = 17.5 (N-5)Rw1

  • Qnp = 22 Rw1 (for 50 mm settlement)

∴ Above equation is applicable for 5 ≤ N ≤50.

1.3 Compensated foundation (Floating foundation)

  • When structure in soil is nearly equal to the total excavated soil from ground including weight of water in soil.

i.e Excavated weight = Structural weight

  • Settlement of sub soil is prevented.
  • Rigid raft foundation is provided when floating foundation is needed.

Diffulties during construction of floating foundation:

  • Excavation: Should be done carefully.
  • Dewatering: If depth of excavation is below water table dewatering is necessary.
  • Critical depth: If soil has low shear strength the limited depth is excavated i.e called as critical depth.
  • Bottom heave: Excavation of foundation reduce pressure in below of foundation results in heaving of bottom of excavation.

1.4 Conventional method of analysis

  • Determine the line of action of all loads acting on the raft.
  • Determine the contact pressure.

a. If e = 0 , q = Q/A

b. If resultant has an ecentricity ex & ey in x & y direction.

     Then,

      q = (Q/A) ± Q(ex/Iyy)x ± Q(ey/Ixx)y

  • Divide the mat into number of beam or strip to analyze each beam separately.
  • Draw shear force and bending moment diagram of each strip and calculate qav below the beam.
  • Determine modified column load.

Qav = ½ (downward load + upward load)

or, Qav = ½ (Q1 + Q2 + Q3 + qav *B1*x

Modified average soil pressure

qav = Qav/x1* B

Column load modified factor

F = Qav / (Q1+Q2+Q3)

All the column load are multiplied by ‘F’ for the strip.

For strip

FQ1, FQ2 & FQ3

  • Draw BMD and SFD for modified column load.
  • Find maximum bending moment and shear force.
  • Find thickness of slab and reinforcement using BMmax and SFmax.

References:

  • Terzaghi, Karl, Peck, R.B & John, Wiley (1969) Soil mechanics in engineering practice, New York.
  • Arora , K.R (2008), Soil mechanics and foundation engineering, Delhi: Standard Publisher Distribution.

The post Mat foundation appeared first on OnlineEngineeringNotes.

]]>
https://onlineengineeringnotes.com/2025/03/31/mat-foundation-bearing-capacity/feed/ 0
Lateral Earth Pressure Theories https://onlineengineeringnotes.com/2025/03/23/lateral-earth-pressure-theories/ https://onlineengineeringnotes.com/2025/03/23/lateral-earth-pressure-theories/#respond Sun, 23 Mar 2025 06:11:48 +0000 https://onlineengineeringnotes.com/?p=1590 1.1 Definition and type of earth pressure Lateral earth pressure: Lateral earth pressure = K * over burden stress or, σh = K* σv or, σh = K* γZ where, K = Coefficient of lateral pressure Types of lateral earth pressure: 1. Earth pressure at rest 2. Active earth pressure 3. Passive earth pressure 1.2 ... Read more

The post Lateral Earth Pressure Theories appeared first on OnlineEngineeringNotes.

]]>
1.1 Definition and type of earth pressure

Lateral earth pressure:

  • The pressure exerted by soil in horizontal direction.

Lateral earth pressure = K * over burden stress

or, σh = K* σv

or, σh = K* γZ

where,

K = Coefficient of lateral pressure

Types of lateral earth pressure:

1. Earth pressure at rest

  • When soil mass is not subjected any lateral yielding or movement the pressure in this condition is known as earth pressure at rest.

2. Active earth pressure

  • Occurs when soil mass yields in such a way that it tends to stretch horizontally.
  • It is the state of plastic equilibrium as the entire soil mass is on verge of failure.

3. Passive earth pressure

  • When retaining wall moves inward to the backfill the soil gets compressed and failure due to upward movement of wedge occurs.

1.2 Rankine’s earth pressure theory for active and passive state

Rankine’s earth pressure theory:

Assumption

  • Soil is homogenous and semi-infinite.
  • Back of retaining wall is vertical and smooth.
  • Ground surface is plane which may be horizontal or inclined.
  • Soil is dry and cohesion less.
  • Wall movement is sufficient so that plastic equilibrium is fulfilled.

Rakine’s various backfill condition are:

A. Rankine theory for cohesionless soil (C=0)

1. Rankine theory for horizontal backfill

a. Active earth pressure

Consider,

  • σv = γZ
  • Intially there is no lateral movement.

i.e σh = Ko* σv

  • As the wall moves away from the soil σv remains same but σh decreases till failure occurs i.e σ→ σa.

As wall moves away

σa = Ka σv

Now, for expression of Ka

References:

  • Terzaghi, Karl, Peck, R.B & John, Wiley (1969) Soil mechanics in engineering practice, New York.
  • Arora , K.R (2008), Soil mechanics and foundation engineering, Delhi: Standard Publisher Distribution.

The post Lateral Earth Pressure Theories appeared first on OnlineEngineeringNotes.

]]>
https://onlineengineeringnotes.com/2025/03/23/lateral-earth-pressure-theories/feed/ 0
SOIL MECHANICS: Permeability, Determination of Coefficient of Permeability, Lab Method & Field Method, Confined & Unconfined Aquifer https://onlineengineeringnotes.com/2022/07/20/soil-mechanics-permeability-determination-of-coefficient-of-permeability-lab-method-field-method-confined-unconfined-aquifer/ https://onlineengineeringnotes.com/2022/07/20/soil-mechanics-permeability-determination-of-coefficient-of-permeability-lab-method-field-method-confined-unconfined-aquifer/#respond Wed, 20 Jul 2022 15:14:18 +0000 https://onlineengineeringnotes.com/?p=1269 Water has the most significant effect on the behavior of soil. Gravitational water: Percolates through the soil under gravity Pore water pressure at GWT = 0 Soil above GWT is saturated by capillary action (pore water pressure is tensile and negative = -ϒwh) Above GWT – impervious formation above- local saturation Water occurring at local ... Read more

The post SOIL MECHANICS: Permeability, Determination of Coefficient of Permeability, Lab Method & Field Method, Confined & Unconfined Aquifer appeared first on OnlineEngineeringNotes.

]]>
Water has the most significant effect on the behavior of soil.

Gravitational water:

  • Percolates through the soil under gravity
  • Pore water pressure at GWT = 0
  • Soil above GWT is saturated by capillary action (pore water pressure is tensile and negative = -ϒwh)
  • Above GWT – impervious formation above- local saturation
  • Water occurring at local saturation – perched water

Held water:

  • Water held in soil pores other than gravity.

Types of Held Water:

Structural Water

  • Remains in the crystal structure of soil minerals chemically, cannot removed by normal drying (105-1100C)

Hygroscopic Water

  • Removed by normal drying, replaced back
  • Capillary Water
  • Due to surface tension

Height of Capillarity = 4T/ϒwd

Note:

Soil Suction: in case of capillary tube, water above WT has a ‘-‘ pressure, soil remains in a state of reduced pressure, known as soil suction (PF = log10(hc))

Permeability:

  • Flow of water through interconnected voids.

Darcy’s Law :

Laminar flow:

  • Flow follows a well-defined path and doesn’t cross the path of other particles (Re ≤ 2000)

Turbulent flow:

  • Fluctuates with the time both in magnitude and direction (Re ≥ 2000)

v ∝ i

v = ki

q = vA = Aki

therefore, q= Aki

Seepage Velocity:

Seepage Velocity > Avg. Velocity (v = q/A; vs = q/As)

q = v*A = vs*As

vs =v* A/As

     = v V/vs

     = v/n

     = ki/n

K = cd2 * (e3/(1+e)) * (ϒw/μ)

K ∝ c

K ∝ (1/μ) 

{(KT/K20) = (μ20T)}

K ∝ e

K ∝ T (tempr)

Note:

  • Impurities (salts, alkalis) increases, K decreases
  • Entrapped air, k decreases

Determination of coefficient of Permeability:

(A) Laboratory Method:

Constant Head Method (k > 10-4)

  • Coarse grained soil
  • Constant head of water at supply tank
  • Vol. of water flowing out of permeameter per unit time = q

H= head water level – tail water level

kstone > ksoil

From Darcy’s law

q = Aki

   = Ak h/L  

 Where L = soil specimen ht.

Therefore,

k = qL/Ah

= qL/(A*h*t)   

Where,

k = (k1+K2+ ………………Kn)/n

Falling head method (10-7 <K< 10-4)

  • Undisturbed sample
  • Fine-grained soils
  • A standpipe of area ‘a’ above the cylinder
  • Variable head (h1 to h2) at time t

 rate of change of head = -dh/dt

Acc. Darcy’s Law

q = A*k*i

a*v = A*k*i

-a* (dh/dt) = A*k* (h/L)

After Integrating from 0 to t and from h1 to h2;

K = 2.303*(q/A) *(L/t) *log10(h1/h2)

Note:

  • soil in the permeameter should be fully saturated.

Determination of Coeff. Of Permeability (Field):

(B) In-situ method:

  • More reliable than the lab method

(a) Pumping test (pumping out)

  • Continuous pumping from test well and observation in bore wells (observation well) till steady state.
  • Min. two observation wells
  • Well should penetrate full depth of water-bearing strata

Confined Aquifer – upper and lower surface impervious

Unconfined Aquifer- no overburden lying over them, top most water-bearing strata.

Unconfined Aquifer:

Observation wells – (r1 and r2 apart test well)

Ht. of observations wells – (z1 and z2)

i = dh/dr

z =ht. of water level at a distance, r

A= 2π*r*z

Darcy’s law;

q = kAi

   = 2π*r*z* dh/dr

On integrating;

K = {2.303*q*log10(r2/r1)}/ {π*(zz2 – z12)}

If only one observation well;

K= {2.303*q*log10(R/rw)}/ {π*(H2 – hw2)}

R = Radius of influence

H = depth to the bottom of the aquifer from WT

Rw = radius of the test well

Hw = ht. of water in the test well

 Confined Aquifer:

r, r1, r2 – same as above

z.z1.z2 – ht. from the bottom impervious layer (same as above)

b= spacing between two layers

i= dz/dr

A = 2π * r* b

q= kAi

= k * dz/dr * 2π*r*b

On integrating,

K = {q*log10(R/rw)}/ {2.727*b*(h – hw)}

R = 3000*d*√k, R in m

d = draw down, m

k= Coeff. of permeability, m/sec

(b) Bore Hole Test

Constant head method:

  • Water    is allowed to flow through the bottom of the bore
  • Low end of the casing should not be less than 5d from the top and bottom of the stratum.
  • Water level in borehole = constant

Therefore, k = q/(2.7*d*h)

Where d = dia. of well

H = head above GWT

Variable head method:

  • Drop from h1 to h2
  • For D ≤ 1.5 m

k = (πd/11t) * log(h1/h2)

  • For D > 1.5 m

K= (πd2/81t) * log (2L/d) * log (h1/h2)

Insitu measurement of seepage velocity:

  • Two trial pits A & B
  • Dye inserted in A
  • Observe in t time in B

h= level diff. between A and B

i = h/AB

vs (seepage velocity) =AB/t

We know;

vs =ki/n

Therefore,

AB/t =(k*h)/(n*AB)

k = (AB2*n)/(t*h)

Permeability on layered deposit:

h= h1+h2

q= q1+q2

q = kz * A * h/(h1+h2)

= k1*A*h1/h1

=k2*A*h2/h2

Therefore,

k =(h1+h2)/{(h1/k1)+(h2/k2)}

In direction of bedding;

i = i1 =i2

q = q1+q2

A*kx*i = A*k1*i + A*k2*i

k = (k1*h1+k2*h2)/(h1+h2)

The post SOIL MECHANICS: Permeability, Determination of Coefficient of Permeability, Lab Method & Field Method, Confined & Unconfined Aquifer appeared first on OnlineEngineeringNotes.

]]>
https://onlineengineeringnotes.com/2022/07/20/soil-mechanics-permeability-determination-of-coefficient-of-permeability-lab-method-field-method-confined-unconfined-aquifer/feed/ 0