Settlement of Spread Footings on Sand

Settlement measurements for a large number of footings supported on dune sand are compared to settlement predictions based on standard penetration tests, plate load tests, oedometer tests and triaxial stress path tests. The sand considered in this study has been preloaded by dunes or compacted by vibratory rollers. Good agreement between measurement and prediction is obtained using the procedure suggested by Meyerhof, a modification of the Terzaghi and Peck method, provided that the blow-count is corrected for overburden pressure. Good agreement is also obtained with oedometer and stress path test predictions. Predictions based on plate load tests underestimated measured settlements whereas the conventional correlations between settlement and standard penetration test resistance overestimated measured settlements.