Settlement Analysis

Abstract

Settlement is the term used to describe the action by which a footing pushes into the ground in response to the load to which it is subjected. The amount of settlement is a function of the size of the footing, the load to which the footing is subjected, and the characteristics of the soil directly beneath and, for some distance, below and beyond the footing. There are procedures by which the amount of settlement can be approximated for any given condition of footing size, loading, and soil characteristics. The experience gained by observation of the time-related performance of countless buildings has given the architect and engineer insight as to how much settlement can safely be permitted under a given set of circumstances. Settlement can never be eliminated, unless bearing on solid rock. It can be controlled, however, by selecting the type of foundation best suited to the type of soil found at the site, and then by establishing an allowable soil bearing pressure as a function of allowable settlement.