Axial Capacity of Single Drilled Shaft Foundations in Soil

Abstract

This chapter deals with single drilled shaft foundations in homogeneous and nonhomogeneous soils. Calculations of axial load a single drilled shaft foundation can withstand are explained in details in this chapter. The calculations were performed to satisfy both bearing capacity and elastic settlement requirements. For the bearing capacity condition, the general bearing capacity equation was utilized and the effects of many factors were considered in the analyses such as shaft type (straight/belled), shaft size, shaft length, soil type, and groundwater table. Then again, the effects of skin friction and the end bearing components were considered in the elastic settlement analyses. Additionally, a step-by-step procedure was introduced in this chapter to develop bearing capacity and elastic settlement design charts which can be useful in the design process of single drilled shafts in soil. A number of design problems were also presented in this chapter and its solution were explained in details. These problems were first hand-solved, and then, resolved using the Shaft-1 (in soil) and Shaft-2 (in rock) applications of the foundationPro program. Finally, a set of design projects was suggested at the end of this chapter to allow the reader practice the concepts learned.