FrameAI Examples Civil & Surveying Shallow Foundation Bearing Capacity
Civil & Surveying · Worked Example

A 3 m × 3 m pad footing supports a reinforced concrete column delivering a characteristic vertical load of N_k = 1400 kN (dead) + G_k = 380 kN (imposed) on a sandy clay subsoil. Ground water table is at 2.0 m below ground level. EC 7-1 DA3 partial factors applied. Determine drained and undrained bearing resistance, check settlement, and confirm footing dimensions are adequate.

EN 1997-1-1 · EN 1997-1-1 DA3, Annex A
Input parameters
Footing plan 3.0 m × 3.0 m
Footing depth Df = 1.5 m below GL
Soil type Sandy clay (γsat = 19 kN/m³)
Effective friction φ’ φ’ = 28°
Undrained cu cu = 55 kPa
Saturated γ 19.0 kN/m³
GWL depth 2.0 m bGL
N_k (dead) 1400 kN
Q_k (imposed) 380 kN
γ_G 1.35 (DA3)
γ_Q 1.50 (DA3)
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RESULT EN 1997-1-1
Governing check Undrained bearing capacity (short-term)
Result value 1485 kN
Utilization
PASS
All checks
Check Status Util. Value
Drained bearing capacity — DA3 PASS
R/d = 2622 kN ≥ N_d = 2466 kN
Undrained bearing (short-term) — DA3 PASS
R/d = 1485 kN ≥ N_d = 1200 kN
GWL correction (EN 1997-1 §6.5.2) PASS
GWL at 0.5 m below base — reduction applied
Eccentricity check PASS
e = 80 mm ≤ B/6 = 500 mm
Settlement — immediate PASS
δ_i = 18 mm ≤ 25 mm (SLS)
Settlement — consolidation PASS
δ_c = 12 mm — primary compression layer
standard EN 1997-1-1 DA3, Annex A
method Meyerhof / Brinch Hansen
partialFactors γG = 1.35, γQ = 1.50, γR;v = 1.40
Compute time 0.3 s

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