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Jacobsz - Modulus of Subgrade Reaction

The document discusses the modulus of subgrade reaction, which is a measure of soil stiffness. It defines the modulus of subgrade reaction and notes that its value depends on both the elastic modulus and Poisson's ratio of the soil. The document presents the results of an analysis where the modulus of subgrade reaction was calculated for different sized footings on the same soil. It shows that the modulus increases with footing size. Therefore, the modulus of subgrade reaction is not a constant for a given soil and depends on both the elastic properties of the soil and the size of the loaded area.

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Johnnie Strydom
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247 views

Jacobsz - Modulus of Subgrade Reaction

The document discusses the modulus of subgrade reaction, which is a measure of soil stiffness. It defines the modulus of subgrade reaction and notes that its value depends on both the elastic modulus and Poisson's ratio of the soil. The document presents the results of an analysis where the modulus of subgrade reaction was calculated for different sized footings on the same soil. It shows that the modulus increases with footing size. Therefore, the modulus of subgrade reaction is not a constant for a given soil and depends on both the elastic properties of the soil and the size of the loaded area.

Uploaded by

Johnnie Strydom
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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SAICE GEOTECHNICAL DIVISION

MODULUS OF SUBGRADE REACTION


20 June 2012

SW Jacobsz

Linear elasticity 1D
1

The real stiffness value


l

1 1 l
E=
=
1
l

2 = 1

kPa

= kPa

Linear elasticity 2D
1 =
2 =

1 2
E

2 1

E
1

Linear elasticity 3D
1 =

2 =
3 =

1 2 3

2 1 3
E

3 1 2
E

Modulus of subgrade reaction


What is it?
A stiffness value
kPa

kPa kN
Ks =
= 3

l m

m
l

What did Terzaghi say?

Verifying the modulus of


subgrade reaction
250kPa

E=30GPa
= 0,2

10m
E=100MPa
= 0,3

20m

Settlement distribution

8
-0.00

0
-0.0

4
00
.
0
0

02
0
.
-0

Settlement values and subgrade


reaction
Footing
diameter Settlement
(m)
(mm)
7
12.8
6
12
5
11.1
4
9.9
3
8.4
2
6.5
1
4

Subgrade
reaction
modulus
(MPa/m)
20
21
23
25
30
38
63

Variation in subgrade reaction


modulus
Modulus of subgrade reaction
(MPa/m)

70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
0

Footing diameter (m)

Subgrade reaction modulus


Is not a constant for a given soil!
Depends on footing size.
When back-analysed from elastic analysis, it will
depend on BOTH E AND .
Remember: soil is NOT elastic (except at very small
strains).

Subgrade reaction modulus


Bearing capacity
q f = 0.3BN + 1.2cN c + DN q

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