Load carrying capacity of eccentrically loaded shallow rectangular foundation on granular soil

Since the publication of Terzaghi’s theory on the ultimate bearing capacity of shallow foundations in 1943, the results of numerous studies (both theoretical and experimental) by various investigators have been published. Most of the studies relate to the vertical load applied centrally to the footing. Meyerhof (1953) suggested an empirical procedure for estimating the ultimate bearing capacity of shallow foundation subjected to eccentric load. Based on the review of the existing literature, it shows that no experimental investigation has been done to estimate the ultimate bearing capacity of shallow rectangular foundation subjected to eccentric loads. In the present work, the model tests have been conducted to determine the ultimate bearing capacity of shallow (both surface and embedded) rectangular foundation subjected to eccentric loads. Rectangular footings of size 10cm x 20cm and 10cm x 30cm are used for load-tests in the laboratory. The tests have been conducted on dense sand. The relative density (Dr) of sand maintained during the model test is 69 %. The eccentricity varies from 0 to 0.15B with an increment of 0.05B and the depth of embedment varies from 0 to B. Ultimate bearing capacity has been found out for central as well as eccentric loading condition. An empirical equation has been developed for the reduction factor in predicting the bearing capacity of eccentrically loaded rectangular embedded foundation.