Estimation of Settlement of Footings under Working Loads Using Equivalent-Linear Elasticity

The use of significantly different methods for estimating settlements of footings in sands and clays, under working loads, poses a problem when intermediate soils are encountered. In this paper we propose a method of analysis based on equivalent-linear elasticity that applies to all soil types, and is simple to apply. We also propose methods to determine and/or estimate the needed soil properties. We report here on a field test of a full scale footing in silty sand and sandy silt, in which measured settlement is compared with settlement predicted using the theory and soil properties determined in the field from seismic tests and in the laboratory from dynamic tests. We also compare measured settlements with values calculated with several widely used methods and make appropriate recommendations.