Foundation Settlement Calculation Spreadsheet

Foundation Settlement Calculations

There are many different methods of estimating the settlement of foundations. The reason there are so many different methods is the problem of soil settlement is  complex and can differ depending on the soil and loading conditions. Some soils for example will behave in a largely elastic manner, some soils will include significant consolidation settlement for many years after the construction of the foundation.

The CivilWeb Foundation Settlement Calculation Spreadsheet Suite includes all the tools the designer needs to complete a full and detailed settlement analysis of any shallow foundation on any underlying soils. The suite includes the following spreadsheets;

Elastic Settlement

This spreadsheet completes an analysis of the elastic settlement of a shallow foundation. The elastic settlement of foundations occurs when they are first loaded and acts in an almost linear elastic manner. This occurs in many types of soils where the load is far below the capacity of the soil and before the soil begins to behave in a non-linear manner.

Immediate Settlement

The immediate settlement is similar to the elastic  settlement but uses the Bowles method of calculation. This method is a variation of the elastic theory method with the calculations and design parameters used adjusted to produce more accurate results for the specific problem of the near elastic settlement of soils under foundation loadings. This spreadsheet can be used to complete a Bowles method analysis of the immediate settlement of a shallow foundation.

Schmertmann Method

This spreadsheet calculates the estimated total settlement using the Schmertmann method. This method uses a classical Boussinesq stress analysis along with a simple soil modulus to determine the settlement of the foundation over the full depth of the soil. This calculation is too time consuming to complete by hand but the spreadsheet completes the calculations instantly.

Consolidation Settlement

This spreadsheet can be used to analyse the likely consolidation settlement of a shallow foundation. Consolidation settlement often occurs when the foundation is built on clay soils. The impermeability of the clay leads to an increase in the pore water pressure which can take many months or even years to dissipate. This can lead to long lasting settlement of the foundation in addition to the elastic and immediate settlement.

Differential Settlement

This spreadsheet can be used to calculate the likely differential settlement of a shallow foundation. Differential settlement can occur when the foundation is subjected to a moment force which causes higher bearing pressures at one side of the foundation relative to the other. Even when these pressures are below the bearing capacity of the foundation, this can cause one side of the foundation to settle to a greater degree than the other, causing differential settlement. Some structures are can be particularly sensitive to differential settlement even when the total or average settlement is not large.

Settlement from SI Info

This spreadsheet calculates the likely settlement of a shallow foundation based on site investigation information. Several site investigation methods can be used to estimate the settlement of a foundation. This spreadsheet includes methods of estimating the foundation settlement based on the results of the Standard Penetration Test (SPT), the Cone Penetration Test (CPT) or a plate bearing test.

CivilWeb Foundation Settlement Calculation Spreadsheet Suite

The CivilWeb Foundation Settlement Calculation Spreadsheet Suite includes all the tools required to complete a full settlement analysis for any shallow foundation. The suite includes 6 different spreadsheets which can be used together to cover any likely settlement scenario. The spreadsheets also include unique analysis tools which enable the designer to complete the settlement analysis in minutes, saving hours of detailed calculations. The suite also uses computing power to include methods which are not suitable for hand calculation.

Buy the CivilWeb Foundation Settlement Calculation Spreadsheet Suite now for only £20.