HOW TO CALCULATE BEARING CAPACITY OF SHALLOW FOUNDATION IN

SAND FROM SPT VALUES OR N-VALUES (IS-6403)

STEP-1

Perform standard penetration test on the location for which you want to calculate bearing
capacity. This is done as per standard procedure given in IS-2131. Standard penetration test
must be done at every 75 cm in vertical direction.
STEP-2

Decide the depth, width and length of foundation for initial calculation. This is a trial and error
process. In the first attempt, you can never get the exact size of foundation which will satisfy all
of your needs.
STEP-3

Apply necessary corrections to the standard penetration test values. Calculate the cumulative
average value of corrected SPT values from the base level of foundation to a depth equal to 2
times the width of foundation.
STEP-4

Correlate the above cumulative average SPT value with the fig given below to find out the
corresponding angle of shearing resistance ().

Relation between phi and SPT value (N)

STEP-5

Calculate effective surcharge at the base level of foundation by multiplying the effective unit
weight of soil with the depth of the foundation i.e.

q = *Df

Where,

q = Effective surcharge at the base level of foundation, in kgf/cm 2

= Unit weight of soil, in kgf/cm3

Df = Depth of foundation, in cm
STEP-6

For the angle of shearing resistance value () as calculated in step-4, find out the corresponding
values of bearing capacity factors (i.e. Nq & N) from the table given below. For the intermediate
values of , make linear interpolation.

Be
aring Capacity Factors

STEP-7

Calculate shape factors (i.e. sq & s) using formula given below.

Where,

B = Width of foundation, in cm

L = Length of foundation, in cm
STEP-8

Calculate depth factors (i.e. dq & d) using following formula.

dq=d=1 (for < 100)

dq = d = 1+0.1(Df/B)(N)1/2 (for >100)

N is calculated using following formula

N = tan2[(/4)+(/2)]
STEP-9

Calculate inclination factors (i.e. iq & i) using the formula given below

Where,

= Inclination of the load to the vertical in degrees

= Angles of shearing resistance in degrees

STEP-10

Calculate the correction factor for location of water table using the following formula

W = 0.5+0.5[Dw/(Df+B)]

Where,

W = Correction factor for location of water table

Dw = Depth of water table, in cm

Df = Depth of foundation, in cm
STEP-11

Using the equation given below calculate the net ultimate bearing capacity.

Where,

qd = Net ultimate bearing capacity of foundation, kgf/cm2

q = Effective surcharge at base level of foundation, in kgf/cm2 (Refer step-5)

Nq & N = Bearing capacity factors (Refer step-6)

sq & s = Shape factors (Refer step-7)

dq & d = Depth factors (Refer step-8)

iq & i = Inclination factors (Refer step-9)

W = Correction factor for location of water table (Refer step-10)

B = Width of foundation, in cm

= Bulk unit weight of foundation soil, in kgf/cm3.