ASCE Geotechnical and Foundation Engineering 4

Question 1

For a strip footing on saturated clay under undrained (φ = 0) conditions, the Prandtl/Meyerhof bearing capacity factor Nc is:

Accepted Answer

5.14

Answer

Nc = π + 2 ≈ 5.14 for φ = 0; Terzaghi's original value is 5.7.

Question 2

A footing of width B carries a load with eccentricity e in one direction. Meyerhof's effective width used in bearing capacity calculations is:

Accepted Answer

B - 2e

Answer

Meyerhof's method uses B' = B - 2e so the load acts at the center of the reduced area.

Question 3

To avoid tension (loss of contact) beneath a rectangular footing under one-way eccentric loading, the eccentricity must not exceed:

Accepted Answer

B/6

Answer

Keeping e ≤ B/6 keeps the resultant within the kern and the minimum bearing pressure non-negative.

Question 4

When the groundwater table rises to the base of a shallow footing in sand, how should the Nγ term of the bearing capacity equation be modified?

Accepted Answer

Replace γ with the buoyant unit weight γ' in the Nγ term

Answer

Soil below the base is submerged, so the effective (buoyant) unit weight is used in the Nγ term.

Question 5

Which method is commonly used to estimate immediate settlement of shallow foundations on sand using CPT cone resistance and a strain influence factor diagram?

Accepted Answer

Schmertmann's method

Answer

Schmertmann's method integrates a strain influence factor with modulus derived from CPT qc.

ASCE - American Society of Civil Engineers Certification Practice Test

ASCE - American Society of Civil Engineers Certification Practice Test

ASCE Geotechnical and Foundation Engineering 4