Code of practice for the design of sub

structures and foundations of Bridges

(BRIDGE SUBSTRUCTURES
& FOUNDATION CODE)
 • Adopted in 1936
• First revision- 1985
• Second revision-2013

• correction slip upto 10

2
 CONTENTS
1. Scope

2. Terminology

3. Notations and Symbols

4. Hydrological Design Investigations

5. Loads, Forces and Stresses

6. Foundations
7. Design and construction of Bridge Sub structures
3
 1.SCOPE
Applied to Design & Construction of Sub-structure
& foundation of Railway Bridge
Checking the existing sub-structures for introducing
new type of locomotives or Gauge conversion
Structural Design as per relevant IRS Codes

4
 2.TERMINOLOGY
• AFFLUX(h): Rise in water level at upstream due to
obstruction by construction of bridge and its approaches
• DEPTH OF SCOUR(D) : depth of the eroded bed of the
river, measured from the water level for the discharge
considered..
• CLEARANCE(C) : vertical distance between the water
level of the design discharge including Afflux and the
point on the bridge superstructure where the clearance
is required to be measured

5
• FREE BOARD(F) : vertical distance between the water level
corresponding to the design discharge including Afflux and
the formation level of the approach banks or the top level
of guide bunds.

• DESIGN DISCHARGE(Q) :estimated discharge for the

design of the bridge and its appurtenances.
• DESIGN DISCHARGE FOR FOUNDATIONS (Qf) : estimated
discharge for design of foundations and training/
protection work.
6
 Free board (F): The vertical distance between the water level corresponding to
design discharge (Q) including afflux(h) and the formation level of its
approach bank / top level of guide bank

Clearance (C): The vertical distance between the water level corresponding to
design discharge Q including afflux and the point on the bridge super
structure where the clearance is required to be measured

F
C C
• IMPORTANT BRIDGES : having a lineal waterway of
300m or a total waterway of 1000 Sq.m or more and
those classified as important by the Chief Engineer/
Chief Bridge Engineer, depending on considerations such
as depth of waterway, extent of river training works and
maintenance problems.
• MAJOR BRIDGES : have either a total waterway of 18m
or more or which have a clear opening of 12m or more
in any one span.

8
• BRIDGES: Any opening across the track formation for discharge of
water, vehicles, men or for similar purposes should be considered
as bridge.
• TRACK CROSSING : All conduits provided across track for the
passage of cables, pressurized or non pressurized fluids should be
considered a track crossings and not bridges.
– Details and system of annual assessment and documentation of
health of such track crossings should be maintained

9
 4. HYDROLOGICAL DESIGN
INVESTIGATION
• Estimation of design discharge (Q)
– For 50 years recurrence interval
– Can increased by CE/CBE for Bridges damage to which is likely have severe
consequences
– Can be decreased for less important lines/siding by CE/CBE
• Method of estimation
– From actual data
– Computed statistically
– By unit hydrograph
– By synthetic Hydrograph
– By other methods
10
• Design discharge for foundation, protection works
and training works except free board (Qf)
– should be increased by suitable factor based on
catchments area

Area Increase
Less than 500 sq. Km 30%
500-5000 sq. Km 30% - 20%
5000 - 25000 sq km 20% - 10%
more than 25000 sq km < than 10%

11
• Design of Waterway
 width of spread between stable banks
– extra for spill discharge if depth of spill is appreciable
– constricted water way for wide & shallow rivers

– By Lacey’s formula for alluvial beds & sustained floods

• Pw = 1.811 C√Q
– Pw = wetted perimeter (m)=effective width of waterway
– Q= design discharge
– C=Coeff normally = 2.67 can vary from 2.5 to 3.5 according to local conditions
depending upon bed slope and bed material

– For sub-mountain rivers

• depends on configuration of active channels/channels
• cost of diversion/training these channels
Bridge with Pier
– Increase by twice the weighted mean submerged width of all the piers.

12
Weighted Mean Submerged Width:
b = (h1*b1+h2*b2)/(h1+h2)

13
• Design of Waterway ..cont.
– For Gauge conversion and doubling work where no history of over
flow/washout/excessive scour
• in past 50 years, existing waterway can be retained with safety measures
• For bridges, less than 50 years old, and there is no history of overflow, excessive
scour ,
– water way to be judiciously decided based on calculation of Design discharge
and water way of existing bridges on adjacent locations on the same river.
– For rebuilding of Bridges
• Shall be determined keeping in view design discharge calculated as per code
– For strengthening by Jacketing etc a reduction may be allowed by CBE provided
• No history of over flow/washout/excessive scour &
• Measures of safety taken as considered by field engineer and approved by CBE

14
• Design of Waterway cont.
S. Span of Bridge Reduction in waterway
No. area allowed as %age
of existing waterway

1 Upto and 20%

including 3.05m

2 3.05m to 9.12m Varying linearly from

(including) 20% to 10%

3 Greater than 10%

9.12m

– Further reduction in area subject to CRS sanction and

submission of detail calculation of Water way 15
• Depth of Scour
• Shall be estimated considering local condition
– Wherever feasible, sounding be taken specially for flashy
rivers and with beds having boulders or gravels
– Allowance shall be made in the observed depth of Scour for
increase in scour resulting from
• Design discharge being more than observed discharge
• Increase velocity due to constriction
• Increase in scour near pier/abutments

16
Depth of Scour
– For alluvial rivers, for Waterway more than Lacey’s width
Normal Scour depth (D) below foundation design Discharge (Qf)
• D = 0.473 (Qf /f) 1/3
– For constricted Waterway, with width less than Lacey’s width
for Q, Normal Scour depth (D)
• D = 1.338 (qf2 /f)1/3
• qf = discharge intensity in m3/sec per m.
• f= silt factor.
– Shall increase for foundation, protection & river training works
as per table in clause no 4.6.6

17
Lacy’s Silt factor (f)

f = 1.76 m 18
 Increase in depth of scour (4.6.6)
Nature of the river Depth of scour
In a straight reach 1.25 D
At the moderate bend conditions e.g Along 1.5 D
apron of guide bunds

At a severe bend 1.75 D

At right angle bend or at nose of pier 2.0 D

In severe swirls eg. Against mole head of a 2.5 TO 2.7 D

guide bund

19
• Afflux ( Increase in water level at upstream due to obstruction by structure )
– For non erodible beds

h = [ V2/17.88 + 0.01524] x [ (A /a )2- 1 ]

– Full afflux as per formula may not occur in case of erodible beds
• h = afflux in m
• V= velocity in unobstructed stream in m/s
• A= Un-obstructed sectional area of river in m2
• a= sectional area of river at obstruction m2

20
 Clearance
• Vertical distance between water level of the design discharge including afflux &
point on bridge super-structure where clearance is required to be measured
• Minimum clearance for bridges excluding arch bridges, syphons, pipe culvert and
Box culverts from water level of design discharge including afflux
Discharge (cumecs) Vertical clearance (mm)
0 - 30 600
31-300 600 – 1200 (Pro-rata)
301 - 3000 1500
Above 3000 1800
• For arch Bridge, Minimum clearance measured to crown shall be
Span of Arch Clearance (whichever is more)
Less than 4 m Rise or 1200 mm
4.0 to 7.0 m 2/3 rise or 1500mm
7.1 to 20.0 m 2/3 rise or 1800 mm
Above 20.0 m 2/3 rise
21
 …Clearance… cont.
– Clearance can be relaxed by PCE/CBE provided
• adoption of prescribed clearance results in heavy expenditure or
serious difficulties
• clearance can be safely reduced to
Discharge (cum) Clearance (mm)
Less than 3 300
3 to 30 300 - 400 (Pro-rata)
31 to 300 400 - 1200 (Pro-rata)
– Retain existing clearance for works other than rebuilding after
taking safety measures as considered necessary by PCE/CBE
– Factors of tendency of rising stream bed to be taken into account
22
 Free Board
– Vertical distance between water level corresponding to design discharge including afflux and
the formation level of approach bank or top level of guide banks
– Minimum free Board from water level of design discharge to formation level of Railway
embankment or top of guide bund shall be one meter
– suitably increased if heavy wave action is expected
– PCE/CBE can relax Free Board in special circumstances
Discharge (cumecs) Min free board (mm)
Less than 3 600
3 to 30 750
More than 30 No relaxation
– Retain existing free board for works other than rebuilding or extending for doubling after taking safety
measures as considered necessary by PCE/CBE
– For Siphon Bridges free board need not be provided when a spill way is provided in upstream on one
bank at suitable location in Railway Boundary or Outside + provide drain upto nearest bridge

23
 Danger Level
– That level which when reached, safety of the bridge is likely to be
adversely effected.
– Traffic shall remain suspended till a responsible officials as per
para 706 IRBM, inspects and declares it safe for running traffic.
– Shall be fixed by Divisional Engineer for each bridge with great
caution & with due regards to conditions obtaining at site.
– Shall be a level which is lower of followings
• provides adequate vertical clearance
• Provides minimum free board to approach banks and guide bunds
• Level of water which is likely to cause unduly large afflux say more than
0.5m

24
 i)Girder/Slab Bridge
threat, following can be taken as broad guide
Water Way Clearance below
bottom of girders/slab lines
for fixing
< 6.1mD.L. 150 to 300mm
> 6.1 < 12.2m 450mm
> 12.20 < 30.5 600mm
> 30.50 < 61.0m 750mm
> 61.00m 1200mm
ii)Arch bridges
Span < 4m Springing Level
Span > 4m or 2/3rd rise below
multiple span crown level 25
iii)Box Culverts
Bottom of Slab
iv)Pipe Culverts
Top of inside pipe
v)Balancing culverts and bridges

50mm below top of pier/abutments in case of

culverts with girder/slabs or crown intrados of the
arch
– Above guide lines are for general guidance and should be used where
specific guide lines are not issued. 26
 5.LOADS, FORCES AND STRESSES
• 5.1 GENERAL -Loads & effects of forces be taken as per Bridge Rules
• Loaded length be chosen to give most adverse effect
• Forces due to gradient effect be taken
• 5.2 -Dead Load
– Load of superstructure
– Permanent load on it
– Use IS:1911 for unit weights
( Schedule of unite weight of building materials)
27
• 5.3 - Live Load
– Relevant standard of loading as per bridge rule for new
construction/ strengthening/ rebuilding unless otherwise
specified
– Live load reaction on abutment of simply
supported span:
• Gravity type - 50% of total EUDL for shear
• Non gravity type - minimum vertical reaction
corresponding to maximum
Longitudinal Force
– Live Load reaction for piers on simply supported span :- to
be worked out for
• One span fully loaded
• Both span fully loaded 28
Live Load ( contd.)
– Pier of gravity type
• For one span loaded - 50% of total EUDL for shear
• Both span loaded for equal span - 50% of total EUDL
from BM
– For non gravity piers/gravity piers supporting unequal
/continuous span
• Appropriate axle load giving maximum LF on the
loaded length

29
 •5.4 - Dynamic Augment
– For calculating pressure on top of bed block live load to be increased by CDA
→ as per Bridge rule
– For gravity type substructure, further multiply by
Bottom of bed block 0.5
Top 3m below bed block 0.5 to 0
Beyond 3m No impact
– For non gravity type
Up to scour level, full dynamic effect as on top
of bed block
– Slab top culvert with no bed block
Top 300mm considered as bed block.
– For ballast wall
up to 1.5m depth 0.5
30
beyond 1.5m Nil
• 5.5 Longitudinal forces
– As specified in Bridge rules and as applicable in design calculations
Temperature effect
– Need not be considered if superstructure is free to expand/contract
5.6.1 PSC/RCC slab on unyielding piers/abutments
• Reaction due to DL * 0.5 for concrete over concrete with bitumen layer in
between
• Reaction due to DL * 0.6 for concrete over concrete not roughened
5.6.2 Frictional resistance of expansion bearings
– Equal to vertical reaction due to DL+LL multiplied by frictional coefficient.
– Frictional coefficient as per Bridge rule
31
• 5.7 - Earth Pressure
– Earth retaining structure be designed for active pressure from earth fill
– Active earth pressure as per Coulomb’s formula
Pa = 1/2 wh2 Ka
• Acts on earth face at h/3 above section under consideration with an angle delta to
normal to the back face
• Formula is for granular back fill with effective drainage
– W = unit wt of soil,
– h = ht of wall

32
33
34
– Passive earth pressure as per Colomb’s formula
Pp = 1/2 wh2 Kp

• Acts on front face at h/3 above section under consideration with an angle Ϩ
to normal
• For checking stability of abutments, 1/3rd passive pressure can be allowed
up to scour level
– Earth retaining structure shall be design for suitable Angle of friction for backfill
material determine by testing as per IS 2720 Pt VIII
• Otherwise value from table 1 (in next slide) can be used
– Semi-empirical methods can be used for structures up to 6m fill above
foundation or checking existing sub-structures where (para – 5.7.2)
• Granular back fill/drainage condition is not satisfied
35
• Not practicable to follow theoretical method
Angle of Friction (Φ)

36
 5.8 - EP due to surcharge
– On account of LL+DL (ie track , ballast etc) shall be considered as
equivalent to load placed at formation level extending upto front face
of ballast wall
– Surcharge due to L.L. for different standards of loading
Standard of loading Surcharge Width of uniform distribution at
Kg/m ‘S’ formation level (m) ‘B’

DFC 16300 3.0

25 t 13700 3.0
HML 15800 3.0
MBG 13700 3.0
MMG 9800 2.1
MGML 9800 2.1
NG ‘A’ Class 8300 1.8 37
 5.8.2 Earth Pressure Due To Surcharge On
Abutments
• The horizontal active earth pressure P due to surcharge, dead and
live loads per unit length on abutment will be worked out for the
following two cases:
• Case-1 : When depth of the section h is less than (L-B).
• Case-2 : When depth of the section h is more than (L-B) .
• Where :
• L= Length of the abutment;
• B= Width of uniform distribution of surcharge load at formation
level; and
• h= Depth of the section below formation level
38
 Case-1 : h < (L-B)
• The active earth pressure will be as under :
• At formation level = (S+V)/B *Ka
• At section under consideration=(S+V)/(B+h)*Ka
• Whereas S = Live load surcharge per unit length
• V = Dead load surcharge per unit length
• This will be a trapezium distribution and can be
calculated accordingly

39
 Case-2 : h >(L-B)

• The active earth pressure will be given as under :

• P1=(S+V)/L *Ka *h ; acting at h/2 from section under
consideration.

• P2=(S+V)(L-B)² *Ka *h/2BL, acting at h-(L-B)/3 from section under

consideration.

40
 5.9 -Forces due to water current
– Applied on any part of Bridge substructure submerged under running Water
– Water pressure on piers parallel to direction of water current
P = KAV2
– K=Constant having values for different shapes. (Table 4)
• Suitable cut water be provided to reduce water pressure
– A= area of elevation of part exposed to water current in m2.
– V=Max. mean value of velocity of current in m/s
(taken from past records)
• In absence of past record
– For alluvial beds, calculated by formula
V = [ Q f2 / 140 ]1/6 [ W width of un obs water way/ w’ of obs wat]
– In case of standard designs, where discharge and silt factor are not
available assume v= 3m/sec
– For other than alluvial beds : Estimate from observation / Past
record of adjacent sites on the same river. 41
Values of K (Constant having values for different shapes).

42
 Forces due to water current (Contd.)
– Where current strikes at an angle, velocity be resolved in two
component, one parallel and other normal to pier and pressure
calculated
• Force due to water pressure parallel to pier shall be determined as
per formula give above by taking component of V in parallel
direction.
• Force due to water current normal to pier shall be determined by
taking component of V in normal direction and Area A of elevation
with K=79 except in case of circular pier for which K=35.To take
care possible variation in direction of current, 20% water pressure
be assumed to act as additional force in normal direction to pier.
– For supports made of two or more piles or trestle column, treat group
as solid rectangular pier of same overall width with taking K as 66 43
 5.10-Buoyancy Effect
5.10.1-For Designing of Foundation
• Full buoyancy effect upto HFL or LWL, depending on most critical
combination.
• Can be reduced upto 50% of buoyancy at the discretion of Engineer if
foundation are resting on rock and have adequate bond with it.
– 5.10.1.1-Checking stability against overturning
• Effect of buoyancy upto HFL
– 5.10.1.2 For calculation of foundation pressure
• for Perennial Rivers
– Upto LWL for max. foundation pressure
– Upto HFL for min. foundation pressure
• For Non-Perennial Rivers
– Upto LWT (lowest water Table) for max. foundation pressure
– Upto HFL for min. foundation pressure
44
• 5.11-Wind Pressure
– For span 18m and above as per Bridge rule.
• 5.12-Seismic Forces
– Bridge as a whole and every part be design to resists
stress by seismic force as per bridge rule
– The stresses be calculated as effect of forces applied
vertically or horizontally at the centre of mass of
elements of structure
– No seismic force for slab, box and pipe culvert
– Seismic force considered for substructure in different
zones
– Zone I to III For bridges of length > 60m

and Span > 15m 45

⮚ In zones IV and V:-
• Suitably designed reinforced concrete piers/abutments shall be used,
• where use of mass concrete/ masonry substructures becomes unavoidable,
– a minimum surface reinforcement as per formula given below may be provided
vertically on each face of the pier/abutment to improve the ductility of
substructure
Ps = 0.2 (Fr/ Fy)x100%
Where, Ps = percentage steel area on each face of masonry/mass concrete.
Fr = modulus of rupture of masonry/mass concrete, Fy = yield strength of steel.
– surface reinforcement not less than 5 Kg/m2 may be provided horizontally.
Spacing of such reinforcement shall not exceed 500mm center to center.

46
– 5.12.2 -Seismic forces on substructures above scour
depth shall be
– (a) Horizontal and vertical seismic forces
– due to self weight of structure ignoring
reduction due to buoyancy and uplift applied at
centre of mass of the str
– due to D.L. of superstructure and L.L. as
specified in Bridge rules transferred from
superstructure to substructure through bearings
and applied at centre of mass of str

– Substructure be designed for worst case assuming

horizontal seismic force to act either parallel or
perpendicular
47
 Para- 5.12.4
• Substructures oriented skew shall be designed for the worst effect
of the seismic forces given in clause 5.12.2 assuming the horizontal
seismic forces to act either parallel or perpendicular to the face of
the pier or abutment.

48
 5.12.5 - Hydrodynamic Forces
•For submerged portion of the pier , Shall be assumed to act in horizontal direction
corresponding to earthquake motion, for submerged portions of pier:
F = Ce αh We
Where
✔ Ce = Coefficient given in table 5 below,
✔ αh = Design horizontal seismic coefficient,
✔ We = Weight of water of enveloping cylinder

Table 5
Ht of Submerged portion of pier(H)/ Radius of Enveloping Value of Ce
Cylinder
1.0 0.390
2.0 0.575
3.0 0.675
49
4.0 0.730
Distribution of Hydraulic Pressure and
Point of application

C1 C2 C3 C4
0.1 0.410 0.026 0.9345
0.2 0.673 0.093 0.8712
0.3 0.832 0.184 0.8103
0.4 0.922 0.289 0.7515
0.5 0.970 0.403 0.6945
0.6 0.990 0.521 0.6390
0.8 0.999 0.760 0.5320
1.0 1.000 1.000 0.4286

50
51
 Permissible Stresses ( para 5.14.3)
Where substructures are of brick or stone construction with lime or cement
mortars of standard mixes of 1:2 & 1:4 respectively, perm. stresses in such sound
masonry shall be taken as under :-

52
• Where type of masonry or mortar mixes not specified above
are adopted, strength tests described in App.-IV shall be
conducted to determine ultimate crushing strength.
– Permissible compressive stresses in mas shall then not exceed 1/6th of
ultimate crushing strength.
• Permissible tensile & shear stresses for various types of
masonry can be determined from ultimate crushing strength
by using following ratios:-
(i) Brick masonry in lime mortar and cement mortar .
. . . 1/30
(ii) Stone masonry in lime mortar.. 1/100
(iii) Stone masonry in cement mortar. 1/60
53
• Permissible Stresses
– For plain or reinforced cement concrete, it is specified
in IRS concrete Bridge Code
• If concrete substructures are built in stages, providing
construction Joints, permissible tensile stress be limited to
80%
– Permissible increase in stress
• For various combinations of loads, permissible stress shall be
increased as
– Combination I Nil
– Combination II&III 33 1/3%
– Combination IV 40%

54
 CERTIFICATION OF EXISTING
MASONRY/CONCRETE SUBSTRUCTURE
• Shall be based on physical condition of pier and abutments

55
 Certification for new types locos, rolling stock &
train composition causing increase in T.E. & B.F.
• Certification for new types locos, rolling stock and train
composition causing increase in T.E. & B.F.
– Criteria for Masonry abutments / piers
• Upto 100% overstressing in compression subject to good condition of masonry
• Upto 200% overstressing in compression subject to good condition of masonry and
close observation of Bridges as directed by CE
• For more than 200% overstress in compression, Bridge be strengthened / rebuild to
appropriate loading,
• If Max tensile stress exceed 100% tensile zone be neglected and equivalent compressive
stress be workout,

56
– Criteria for Mass Concrete abutments/piers
• In bending compression, 50% overstress permitted subject to good
condition of masonry
• If maximum tensile stress exceeds 100%
– Calculate equivalent comp. stress neglecting tensile zone.

57
– Where ever not possible carryout theoretical check running of locomotives and
rolling stock with heavier tractive force/braking force may be permitted subject
to
– physical condition being certified and bridges being kept under close
observation, as directed by CE
– In such case, the increase of TE and/or BF shall not be more than
20% over above the level of TE and BE running over the bridges for
the past one year or so.
– Foundations
– The pressure on soil at the base of foundation shall not exceed the
safe/allowable bearing pressure
– In case of tension recalculated pressure shall not exceed
safe/allowable bearing pressure 58
• For gauge conversion
– Checking substructure
• Existing gravity type substructures be retained provided max. stresses do
not exceed permissible stresses by
(i)100% in comp. in masonry
(ii) No overstress in comp. in concrete
(iii) 100% in tension in masonry/concrete

– Foundations
• The pressure on soil at the base of foundation shall not exceed the
safe/allowable bearing pressure
• In case of tension recalculated pressure shall not exceed safe/allowable
59
• Permissible increase in allowable bearing pressure
– May be increased for combinations of loads
• Combination I NIL
• Combination II & III 33.33%
• Combination IV 40%
• Condition of stability
– Following factor of safety be adopted
• Against overturning - Combination I 2.0
- Combination II or III 1.5
• Against sliding - Combination I 1.5
- Combination II or III 1.25
60
 6. FOUNDATIONS
• General Design Criteria (Para 6.1)
– Preferably locate on a firm ground having stable strata.
– Should fulfill following basic requirements
 Safety against strength failure.
• Safety against deformation and differential settlement.
• Allowable bearing pressure shall be taken lesser of
– Net ultimate bearing capacity / 2.5
– maximum allowable pressure on foundation without
causing excessive settlement(>25mm or excessive
differential settlement)
• In open foundations
– Resultant lie within middle third
– Depth of foundation in soil > 1.75m below scour level.
– Shall not normally rest on compressible soils. 61
• Sub- soil Investigations
– Scope
• To determine nature, extent and engineering properties of soil/
rock strata and ground water table.
• Use IS:1892, 6935, 2720,1498, IRC:78 for guidance
– Subsurface investigation be carried out during three stages
• Reconnaissance Survey
– Bad locations for foundations are avoided
– Reliable data from geological and topographical maps/other
soil surveys done in past are scrutinized
• Preliminary Survey
– scope restricted to determine depth, extent, composition,
characteristics of various strata
• Final Location Survey
– Detail tests to design safe and economical structure. 62
– Information to be obtained during sub-surface investigation
• Site Plan
• Cross Sections along the proposed bridge
• Load conditions shown on a schematic plan, indicating design
combination of loads transmitted to the foundation
• Environmental factor
• Geo-technical Information
• Modulus of elasticity and Modulus of sub-grade reaction
• A review of performance of a similar structure
• Assess possible effects on existing structure

63
– Open Foundations
• Trial Pit Method.
• Soil classification by visual inspection or simple classification
tests.
• Safe bearing capacity can be assumed from Table-6, as a
guide.
– Deep Foundations
• Exploratory bore holes and samples at every 1.5m or change
of strata.
• If undisturbed samples can not be taken, in situ field tests may
be done.
• Normally depth of boring extends to 1.5 to 2.0 times
foundation width below foundation level.
• Soft strata shall be penetrated completely
• Guidance may be taken from IS 2132 & IS8763 64
65
 Foundation in Non-cohesive strata
– Bearing Capacity - can be determined by
several methods
• Plate load test (For shallow depths only)
• dynamic cone penetration test
• standard penetration test.
• Guidance of IS 6403, 2911 (Pt.I&IV), 2131, 4968 (Pt I&III),
1888 & 1904 may be taken

66
• Settlement/ can be determined by

• Plate load test

• Standard Penetration Test
• Settlement taken place very quickly and over for
dead load during construction stage.
– Allowable bearing pressure

• Judiciously decided keeping in view importance of

structure and criteria mentioned earlier.
67
 Foundation in cohesive strata
– Bearing Capacity
• can be determined as in case of non-cohesive strata
– Settlement
• settlement takes place over a long period of time
• settlement below foundation should be computed for dead
loads only
P = Pi + Poed + Ps

Pi – immediate settlement
Poed - Primary consolidation settlement
68
Ps - Secondary settlement
 Time Rate of settlement
• Computed as per IS:8009(Pt.I)based on Terzaghi’s one
Dimensional Consolidation Theory
• In practice consolidation takes place much faster due to
– i) Three dimensional consolidation
ii) Release of hydrostatic pressure out side the footing
area
iii) Horizontal permeability’s are usually much higher
than the vertical
• Rate of settlement be therefore corrected by a factor of 3 to 5
times faster
• Actual rate of settlement in the area from similar cases can
help to predict the rate accurately.
69
 Allowable Bearing Pressure
– Based on criteria given in para 6.1
– In cohesive soil due to spread of settlement over a long
period, measures to tackle the balance settlement at
the time of placement of super structure be
considered.

70
 Foundation on Rock
– Shall be designed taking into consideration
• Nature of Rock formation
• Dip and strike of the rock strata.
• Presence of faults and fissures
• Should not be founded on faulted strata likely to slip
• Fissured strata shall be stabilized by grouting
– Bearing Capacity shall be computed
• From shear strength properties
• Shear strength may be determines by unconfined compression
test
• ultimate bearing capacity shall be taken as 4.5 times the
unconfined compressive strength 71
– Allowable Bearing pressure
• Shall be decided after taking into consideration weakness of rock strata
such as
Sloping rock surface
Stratification of alternate layers of sound & weak rock
Presence and extent of joints
Planes of weakness such as bedding planes, faults, cavities etc
Factor of safety of 3 be adopted for sound rock Allowable bearing
pressure be further reduced based on weakness of rock
Resultant of forces at base shall not be outside middle ½
Max founding pressure on reduced area of contact shall not exceed
the allowable pressure.
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Non-Homogeneous and Unsound Rocks
– A factor of safety of 6 to 8 on unconfined compressive
strength is normally adequate
– For badly disintegrated or very soft rocks (core
recovery < 35% & test cylinders not available),
• Adopt methods prescribed for soil

• Take guidance of IS 4464, 5313, 6926, 11315(Pt II)

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• Permissible increase in allowable bearing pressure
– May be increased for combinations of loads
• Combination I NIL
• Combination II & III 33.33%
• Combination IV 40%

• Condition of stability
– Following factor of safety be adopted
• Against overturning - Combination I 2.0
- Combination II or III 1.5
• Against sliding - Combination I 1.5
- Combination II or III 1.25
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• Design of Deep Foundations
– Bottom of foundation be taken to provide adequate
grip
– Depth of foundation below water level for design
discharge shall not be less than 1.33 times of max.
depth of scour
– Effect of skin pressure be taken for calculation of
foundation pressure except in seismic zones IV & V
– Dynamic augment need not be considered

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• Design of Deep Foundations.. Contd.
– Depth of foundation to be adequate to provide for
stability against overturning and sliding.
– Only 50% of passive earth pressure that can be
mobilized on the sides of well foundations below max
scour level shall be considered while checking stability
against overturning.

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 7. DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF
BRIDGE SUB STRUCTURES: ABUTMENTS
• length of abutments at top Normally = formation width.
• width at top
– shall be sufficient to accommodate not only bearings,
– but also to carry ballast walls.
– Sufficient to provide adequate thickness of masonry or concrete
beyond the bearings to resist diagonal shearing.
• Where pier type abutments are provided without wing walls and
return walls, earth-fill around the abutment shall be protected by
providing properly designed stone-pitching on the slopes and apron
at the toe of the fill.

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 DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF
SUB STRUCTURES: PIERS
• Length of piers shall be sufficient to provide proper
seating for girders.
• Width at top shall be
– sufficient not only to accommodate the bearings of girders,
– But also provide sufficient masonry or concrete on outside of
bearings to resist diagonal shearing.
• Where necessary, piers shall be
– provided at both ends with suitably shaped cut waters which shall
extend upto at least 1 m above high flood level, including afflux.

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DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF SUB STRUCTURES :
BED BLOCKS FOR ABUTMENTS AND
PIERS
• In girder bridges where concentrated loads are transmitted to the
substructure,
– bed blocks of proper design shall be provided on the top of
the piers and abutments under the bearings
– to ensure proper distribution of the superimposed loads over
the whole length of the abutment or pier.
• Such bed blocks may be reinforced cement concrete.

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DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF SUB
STRUCTURES: BACKFILL MATERIAL AND
APPROACH SLABS.
• Behind abutments, wing walls and return walls, boulder filling and
backfill materials shall be provided as shown in Fig.

• The boulder filling shall consist of well hand-packed boulders & cobbles
to thickness not less than 600 mm with smaller size towards the back.

• Behind the boulder filling, backfill materials shall consist of granular

materials of GW, GP, SW groups as per IS : 1498-1970.

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