Allowable bearing capacity based on Schmertmann method for sandy soils

Abstract

In this study, since the city of Bartin in Northwest Turkey on the Black Sea is in the first-degree seismic zone and its residential area only occupies 7% of the total acreage that is expected to expand with newly flourishing urbanization, soil samples were obtained from a total of five different locations where there are open areas for the construction of dwellings. Engineering properties of the soils were assessed by laboratory experiments and the allowable bearing capacity and elastic settlement (Schmertmann method) values of the soils were calculated. The results showed that calculated settlement values are very high and can damage the foundation systems of any building constructed in future; therefore, allowable settlement value was fixed at 50 mm and allowable bearing capacities of the soils were obtained from back calculations by using the Schmertmann method. The aim of calculating allowable bearing capacity modified by settlement analysis is to propose a procedure about the foundation designs of the building laying on compressible sandy soils. Key words: Shallow foundations, allowable bearing capacity, silty sand, Schmertmann method, settlement.