ENGINEERING – GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING CALCULATOR
Settlement Elastic
A precise tool.
What is the Settlement Elastic & How does it work?
Immediate, or elastic, settlement occurs when a load is applied to a foundation and the soil deforms instantly according to its elastic properties. The deformation is recoverable if the load is removed, and it is governed by Hookeβs law applied to the soil mass beneath the footing. For a shallow footing the classic expression relates settlement to the applied pressure, footing dimensions, soil modulus, Poissonβs ratio and an influence factor that accounts for the shape and depth of the footing. This influence factor is derived from elastic theory solutions and varies only slightly for common footing geometries. Because the calculation uses elastic parameters, it provides a quick firstβorder estimate of settlement that is useful in preliminary design and for checking more detailed analyses. The result is expressed in metres (or millimetres) and can be compared with serviceability limits for the structure.
s = frac{q ; B ; (1-nu^{2})}{E}; I_{s}
s = immediate settlement (m)
q = applied pressure (kPa)
B = footing width (m)
nu = Poisson’s ratio (unitless)
E = modulus of elasticity of soil (kPa)
I_{s} = influence factor (unitless)
q = applied pressure (kPa)
B = footing width (m)
nu = Poisson’s ratio (unitless)
E = modulus of elasticity of soil (kPa)
I_{s} = influence factor (unitless)
Parameters
Result
β
Frequently Asked Questions
What is elastic settlement in foundation engineering?
Elastic settlement occurs when a load is applied to a foundation and the soil deforms instantly according to its elastic properties. The deformation is recoverable if the load is removed.
How does Hooke’s law apply to soil settlement?
Hooke’s law is applied to the soil mass beneath the footing, relating stress to strain linearly within the elastic limit of the soil.
What factors affect the calculation of elastic settlement?
Factors include the applied pressure, footing dimensions, soil modulus, Poisson’s ratio, and an influence factor that accounts for the shape and depth of the footing.
Can elastic settlement be recovered once the load is removed?
Yes, if the load is removed within the elastic limit of the soil, the deformation will be recoverable.
What is the significance of Poisson’s ratio in this calculation?
Poisson’s ratio affects how much a material stretches laterally when it is stretched longitudinally, influencing the settlement calculation.
How does the shape and depth of the footing influence elastic settlement?
The influence factor accounts for the shape and depth of the footing, affecting how stress is distributed and thus impacting the settlement.
What units are typically used in this type of calculation?
Typically, units like pressure (kPa or psi), dimensions (meters or feet), modulus (MPa or psi), and Poisson’s ratio (dimensionless) are used.
Results are for informational purposes only and do not constitute professional advice.