Settlement of light buildings on loose sand : Boirum, R N; Gifford, A B In: Settlement of Shallow Foundations on Cohesionless Soils: Design and Performance (papers to the ASCE Convention, Seattle, 10 April 1986)P23–34. Publ New York: ASCE, 1986 (Geotechnical Special Publication No 5)

Abstract

This paper reviews several cases of settlement of lightly loaded structures supported on granular soils. The concept of settlement ratio is presented. Measurements indicate that the settlement of lightly loaded structures supported on loose granular fill can be as much as 8 percent of the thickness of the loose fill. Settlements of similar structures on loose native soils can be 3 to 6 percent of the thickness of the loose soil. The paper emphasizes the importance of identifying and compacting loose foundation soils. Although the results presented are based on measured settlements, because of the influence of other unmeasurable factors, such as load intensity, the conclusions presented should be considered to have limited application.