Settlement prediction of large scale plate load test using shear wave velocity profile

In the design of footings, it is important to estimate the settlement of foundations subjected to operating load condition to ensure its serviceability. In general, Schmertmann method is widely applied in engineering practice to predict settlement of footings and it assumes simple linear elastic modulus of soil empirically estimated from cone penetration resistance. Even though CPT based deformation modulus is generally adopted, CPT is not available in some soil conditions such as intermediate geomaterials. On the other hand, shear wave velocity can be more easily measured in the field and is directly related to deformation characteristic. Therefore, shear wave velocity can be used as a key soil property for the settlement prediction of footings. The objective of this study is to provide a method for load settlement prediction of footings using in-situ shear wave velocity profile. Field seismic tests such as Harmonic Wavelet Analysis of Waves (HWAW) were conducted to characterize shear wave velocity profile and a series of plate load tests were conducted at the same site. The load settlement behavior of the plate could be predicted by modified Schmertmann's approach using shear wave velocity profiles and it was compared with plate load test data. Finally, the applicability of suggested method based on shear wave velocity profile to predict load settlement curve of footing was examined.