Comparing geotechnical methods to assess primary consolidation settlements for raft foundations

Abstract

Primary consolidation settlements in soils subjected to pressures due rafts foundations were assessed by using Excel DISBAL book and results of the classical procedure for calculating primary settlements were compared considering the soil compression index with those of simplified procedure based on summation of layers method, recommended by the current Cuban standard of surface foundations. The novelty of Excel DISBAL book is its contribution for solving shortcomings of software based on current geotechnical methods and in accordance with the legal framework of current construction regulations in Cuba and other international reference. The case study is about evaluating extension in height of a building supported in soil deformation limit state and hypothetically located in the experimental field of Civil Engineering of Universidad de Oriente, where the coves were made by the National Research Company Applied from Santiago de Cuba. It is demonstrated that this software allows an adequate assessment the limit state by soil deformation by both methods obtaining acceptable primary consolidation settlements for the case study; helping to specify the number of floors the building will reach.

Keywords

• consolidación primaria
• asentamientos
• cimentación en balsa
• diseño geotécnico
• libro excel disbal.