Settlement of Footings on Sands—Accuracy and Reliability

Abstract

Twelve methods of estimating settlements of footings on sand were evaluated by comparing calculated settlements with measured settlements. Each of the methods was evaluated in terms of (1) accuracy (how does the average calculated settlement compare to the average measured settlement?), (2) reliability ( in what percentage of cases does the calculated settlement equal or exceed the measured settlement?), and (3) ease of use (how long is required to apply the method?). The methods suggested by D'Appolonia and D'Appolonia (1970) and by Terzaghi and Peck (1967) were found to afford reasonable combinations of accuracy and reliability, with fairly low amounts of time required for the analyses.