New Case Studies to Validate the GT Direct CPT Method for Footings on Sand

A direct cone penetration test (CPT) method for assessing the load-displacement-capacity response of shallow foundations on sands that was previously developed at Georgia Tech (GT) is applied to four new case studies that have become available. The algorithm relates the ratio of applied foundation stress normalized to cone tip resistance to the square root of normalized displacement, defined as settlement divided by footing width. The case studies include footing load tests conducted on large shallow concrete foundations and steel plates situated on both natural sands and sands densified by ground modification and compaction methods. The case studies involve circular and square foundations from projects located in Oman, Kuwait, UAE, and Texas, with reasonably good predictive agreement shown for all cases. A means to extend the approach to include footings bearing on silty sands to sandy silts for drained behavior is also discussed.