THE EFFECT OF VARIATION IN GROUNDWATER TABLE ON THE BEARING CAPACITY OF SOIL
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Abstract
This study, the effect of groundwater table on the bearing capacity of shallow foundation, aimed to evaluate how varying groundwater table levels affect the bearing capacity of
soil through an analytical method using Terzaghi’s equation for foundation bearing capacity. Soil samples were collected using manual hand auger at a depth of 2m from a site in Oleh, Delta state where the groundwater table was close to the surface. The soil samples were then taken to the University of Benin, Civil Engineering Laboratory where the specific gravity, compaction, sieve analysis, atterberg and triaxial shear tests were carried out, in order to find the physical and strength properties of the soil. The liquid limit of the samples showed a range from 20.0-19.5%, the plastic limit, a range from 12.5-13.0% and a plastic index, from 7.5-6.5%. The samples had MDD ranging from 1.95 − 1.91�/𝑐3, OMC ranging from 9.5-7.8%. The sample showed Ф values to range from 32-30ͦ and C values to range from 15-12kPa. The study showed that high groundwater table significantly reduces soil bearing capacity. The control sample (normal water table) exhibited superior performance across all parameters (such as 1122kpa bearing capacity which showed a drop to 951 in the 2m depth). High water table conditions led to a reduction in allowable bearing capacity, with the most severe impact observed at 2m depth. These findings emphasize the importance of proper site investigations and making informed construction decisions
soil through an analytical method using Terzaghi’s equation for foundation bearing capacity. Soil samples were collected using manual hand auger at a depth of 2m from a site in Oleh, Delta state where the groundwater table was close to the surface. The soil samples were then taken to the University of Benin, Civil Engineering Laboratory where the specific gravity, compaction, sieve analysis, atterberg and triaxial shear tests were carried out, in order to find the physical and strength properties of the soil. The liquid limit of the samples showed a range from 20.0-19.5%, the plastic limit, a range from 12.5-13.0% and a plastic index, from 7.5-6.5%. The samples had MDD ranging from 1.95 − 1.91�/𝑐3, OMC ranging from 9.5-7.8%. The sample showed Ф values to range from 32-30ͦ and C values to range from 15-12kPa. The study showed that high groundwater table significantly reduces soil bearing capacity. The control sample (normal water table) exhibited superior performance across all parameters (such as 1122kpa bearing capacity which showed a drop to 951 in the 2m depth). High water table conditions led to a reduction in allowable bearing capacity, with the most severe impact observed at 2m depth. These findings emphasize the importance of proper site investigations and making informed construction decisions
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