Using GIS for the allowable soil bearing capacity estimation in Eskişehir city center

Abstract

In foundation engineering, it is necessary to calculate the bearing capacity of soils. The allowable soil bearing capacity required for foundation design is calculated through various empirical methods using geotechnical parameters such as specific gravity and angle of internal friction. Standard Penetration Test (SPT) values of the soil are used in these calculations. Therefore, soil tests which engineers need, are costly and time-consuming. This study aims to determine the soil bearing capacity of Eskişehir city and present soil bearing capacity maps for shallow foundations. The geotechnical parameters of the soil were obtained from 40 borehole data made in the field. Within the scope of the study, bearing capacity maps were created for 0-5 m depth to provide an overview of the bearing capacity of Eskişehir soil. These maps were made in the Geographic Information System (GIS), which has a database that stores and analyses regular data. In addition, these maps can assist engineers working on shallow foundation design on the site.