Experimental Study of Bearing Capacity Bridge Foundation Determination

Abstract

Ethiopia is almost mountainous and hilly in topography, with many rivers flowing from the cities' centers. To facilitate transportation, a bridge across the Berbere Wonze River must be built. The bearing capacity of foundation soil is important for foundation design because it can carry heavy loads from the superstructure. The primary goal of this experimental geotechnical investigation is to determine the bearing capacity of foundation soil for the design of bridge foundation at Berbere Wonze River in Amahara Region South Wollo, Kombolcha, Ethiopia. The foundation investigation work includes a Dynamic Cone Penetration (DCP) test, a Standard Penetration Test (SPT), visual identification, groundwater monitoring, soil sampling, and subsequent laboratory tests on representative samples to determine the physical and engineering properties of the subsurface formations and soil underlying the proposed bridge sites. These are to provide safe and cost-effective foundations based on a combination of field data and laboratory test results.