Problem Background:

A bridge is to be designed for a highway construction. The soil profile and parameters were obtained from an

in$-$situ investigation and laboratory testing, provided in table $1.$

PROLEM STATEMENT

You are tasked to evaluate this foundation for its compliance with a prescribed settlement tolerance. If the

foundation is not within the tolerable limit threshold, then you are instructed to advance with evaluating a

design alternative.

This problem is divided into the following parts:

Part #$1$: $,$ the analysis of an existing foundation,

Part #$2$: $,$ the design of one alternative foundation elevation.

This examination requires you to provide responses to items A$),$ B$),$ and C$)$ as follows:

A$)$ Perform and submit numerical calculations for the solution of the Primary Settlement of the

foundation axial load for each of the three problem parts. Perform your calculations on an Excel

spreadsheet clearly separating the input, calculations, and output sections. Hand calculations are

mandatory to verify the accuracy of your code. Hand calculations must be neatly and on graph paper or

plain white paper. Calculations submitted on lined notebook paper will receive point deduction.

B$)$ Prepare type written narratives which compare and contrast the foundation$($s$)$ design with respect to

construction and calculated Primary Consolidation Settlement values, and the respective suitability of the

design achieving the tolerable settlement constraint.

C$)$ Discuss which foundation design you recommend for construction and the basis for your

recommendation.

PART #$1$: EXISTING FOUNDATION DESIGN

You are requested to determine the Primary Settlement $(S_{cp})$ of the square foundation illustrated in the

following figure. The required Primary Settlement tolerable limit established by the structural engineer is ${2\mathrm{.}00}_{?}$

inches, measured at the centerline of the pier at the Axial Load application.

Determine the Primary Settlement $(S_{cp})$ of the foundation as measured from the center line of the

foundation and at the middle of the compressible saturated clay layer.

Determine the bearing capacity of the soil profile and determine if the design will fail by bearing

capacity. If not, determine the Factor of Safety.

The following soil geotechnical properties apply to the site soils and are to be used for all analysis

computations:

TABLE $1$: SOIL GEOTECHNICAL PROPERTIES

Information relevant to the stress distribution of the Rectangular loaded area is attached.