DHARM
604 GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING
QUESTIONS AND PROBLEMS
14.1 To obtain a higher bearing capacity, either width of the footing could be increased or the depth of
foundation can be increased. Discuss critically the relative merits and demerits.
(S.V.U.—Four year B.Tech.,—Sept., 1983)
14.2 Discuss the various factors that affect the bearing capacity of a shallow footing. Write brief
critical notes on settlement of foundations. How do you ascertain whether a foundation soil is
likely to fail in local shear or in general shear? (S.V.U.—B.Tech., (Part-time)—Sept., 1983)
14.3 Discuss the various types of foundations and their selection with respect to different situations.
(S.V.U.—Four year B.Tech.,—Dec., 1982)
Discuss the effect of shape on the bearing capacity. Differentiate between safe bearing capacity
and allowable soil pressure. Write critical notes on (i) foundations on black cotton soils and (ii)
Penetration tests. (S.V.U.—Four year B.Tech.,—Apr., 1983)
14.4 Bring out clearly the effect of ground water table on the safe bearing cpacity.
(S.V.U.—Four year B.Tech.,—Dec., 1982, Oct., 1982)
Describe the procedure of determining the safe bearing capacity based on the standard penetra-
tion test.
Write brief critical notes on (i) floating foundation and (ii) factors affecting depth of foundation.
(S.V.U.—Four year B.Tech.,—Sept., 1983)
14.5 What are the criteria for deciding the depth of foundations? Write brief critical notes on toler-
able settlements for buildings. (S.V.U.—Four year B.Tech.,—Dec., 1982)
14.6 Explain ‘general shear failure’ and ‘Local shear failure’. Differentiate between (i) Shallow foun-
dation and deep foundation, (ii) Gross and net bearing capacity, (iii) Safe bearing capacity and
allowable soil pressure. (S.V.U.—Four year B.Tech., —Oct., 1982)
14.7 What are the assumptions made in Terzaghi’s analysis of bearing capacity of a continuous footing?
(S.V.U.—B.E., (Part-time)—Apr., 1982)
14.8 (a) Explain the recommended construction practices to avoid deterimental differential settle-
ment in large structures.
(b) What is meant by bearing capacity of soil? How will you determine it in the field? Describe
the procedure bringing out its limitations.
(c) Write brief critical notes on:
(i) Standard Penetration test
(ii) General shear failure and local shear failure of shallow foundations.
(S.V.U.—B.E., (Part-time)—Dec., 1981)
14.9 (a) Describe Terzaghi’s theory of bearing capacity of shallow strip foundations. Define the three
bearing capacity factors and give their values for ‘φ = 0’ case.
(b) Explain how this procedure is modified for square and rectangular footings. How is local
shear failure accounted for? (S.V.U.—B.E., (R.R.)—Nov., 1975)
14.10 (a) Give the algebraic equations showing the variation of safe bearing capacity of soil (for clay
and sand to be given separately) in shallow foundation with:
(i) depth of foundation; (ii) width of foundation; and
(iii) position of water table.