Soil Bearing Capacity

Types of foundation below are suitable for deep foundation, EXCEPT

• Pile Foundation

• Drilled Shaft Foundation

• Pad Foundation

• Caissons Foundations

Answer explanation

Spread / Pad footing is suitable for shallow foundations

Improper design of foundation would lead to the problem below, EXCEPT

• Overstressing the soil

• Reducing moisture content of the soil

• Settlement of the soil

• Shear failure of the soil

Answer explanation

Improper design of foundation will caused overstressing of soils, settlement and shear failure

List below are the Terzaghi’s assumption, EXCEPT:

• Shallow foundation:

  D_f  ≤ B

• Strip footing:   D_f/B > 5

• The mode of failure : Local Shear Failure

• The weight of soil above the base may replaced by uniform surcharge

  q = ɣD_f

Answer explanation

The mode of failure : General Shear Failure

Based on Terzaghi's equation qu = c’Nc + qNq + 1/2  ɣ BNɣ
What is Nc, Nq and Nɣ?

• surcharge factors

• bearing capacity factors

• the coefficient of passive earth pressure

• cohesion value factors

Answer explanation

Nc, Nq and Nɣ are the bearing capacity factors

How to determine Nc, Nq and Nɣ during exam?

• Conduct experimental test

• Refer to Terzaghi's Bearing Capacity graph

• Calculate manually using the provided data

• Refer to Terzaghi's Bearing Capacity Factors' table

Answer explanation

Terzaghi's Bearing Capacity Factors' table will be provided during exam

What type of foundation shown in the picture?

• Spread foundation

• Pile foundation

• Drilled Shafts foundation

• Pad foundation

Answer explanation

Drilled Shafts foundation - installation of brc and concrete on site

The cohesion value and angle of friction value can be determined by conducting a ____________ in the laboratory

• Direct Shear Test

• Specific Gravity

• Triaxial Test

• Consolidation Test

Answer explanation

cohesion value can be determined by direct shear test

angle of friction can be determined by direct shear test and triaxial test

So, the direct shear test provides the correct answer related to both parameters