A

Seminar Report

on

Analysis of soft clay soil for foundation design using CSI SAFE software

Submitted By

Shantanu Kishor Ugale exam seat no. T221304132

Under the guidance of

Prof.Apurav Vaidya

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

KARMAVEER KAKASAHEB WAGH INSTITUTE OF ENGINEERING

EDUCATION AND RESEARCH,

NASHIK,422003 (2024-2025)

( An Autonomous institution affiliated to Savitribai Phule Pune University )

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 KARMAVEER KAKASAHEB WAGH INSTITUTE OF ENGINEERING

EDUCATION AND RESEARCH , NASHIK.

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

( An Autonomous institution affiliated to Savitribai Phule Pune University )

This is to certify that Mr. Shantanu K Ugale. Roll. No 59 Exam seat

No. T221304132 Of T.Y. B Tech, satisfactorily carried out

Seminar work entitled as

"Analysis of soft clay soil for foundation design using CSI SAFE software"
Under Guidance

Apurv vaidya

This work is being submitted for the award of degree of bachelor of technology.
For the academic year 2024-2025

Prof.Apurv vaidya Prof. Abhijit J. Pawar.

(Seminar Guide) (Seminar co-ordinator)

Dr. Pradip D. Jadhao. Dr. K. N. Nandurkar.

Professor and H.O. D Director

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 Abstract

This report invsolves the analysis of soft clay soil for foundation design using CSI SAFE software,
focusing on its critical role in ensuring structural stability and performance. Soft clay soils, known for
their low bearing capacity and high compressibility, pose significant challenges for foundation
engineering. The study evaluates the behavior of such soils under various load conditions, employing
advanced modeling techniques and simulations available in CSI SAFE.

Key elements of analysis are: Soil Structure Interaction, Settlement Predictions, Load Distribution
Patterns. The study intergrates geotechnical data with structural design parameters, to give a
comprehensive foundation solution suited to soft clay conditions. Comparative evaluations of different
foundation types, such as mat and raft foundations, are made to determine the best designs.Results from
the tests show that CSI SAFE is capable of simulating actual conditions -- settlement characteristics and
overall stress distribution can be obtained accurately through this software. The report emphasizes the
importance of integrating structural and geotechnical analyses to create a solid foundation in such
difficult soil conditions, and offers practical suggestions for reducing risk in soft clay conditions.

This study serves as a valuable resource for civil engineers and practitioners involved in foundation
design, highlighting the potential of CSI SAFE as a tool for enhancing the reliability and efficiency of
construction projects on soft clay soils.

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TABLE OF
CONTENTS: 14

Contents
"Design and Analysis of
slab using PTC Mathcad
and Microsoft excel"
................................................................

CHAPTER 1:
INTRODUCTION......................................

1.1 GENERAL
INTRODUCTION :......................................

1.2 RELEVANCE TO
CIVIL ENGINEERING:..............................

1.3 NEED FOR THE

STUDY:........................................................

CHAPTER 2..............................................

2.1 LITERATURE
REVIEW :...................................................

2.2 OBJECTIVES.......................................

CHAPTER 3:
METHODOLOGY...................................

....................................................................

3.1 DESIGN OF SLAB

BY MANUAL DESIGN
....................................................................

3.2 DESIGN OF SLAB

USING MICROSOFT
EXCEL.......................................................

3.3 DESIGN OF SLAB

BY USING PTC
MATHCAD................................................

3.4 COMPARISON AND

ANALYSIS................................................

CHAPTER 4..............................................

4.1 CONCLUSION:...................................

4.2 REFERENCES........24

4.3 BIBLIOGRAPHY...25
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 CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

1.1 GENERAL INTRODUCTION :

Foundation design is a vital component of civil engineering, ensuring structural stability by effectively
transferring loads to the supporting soil. The physical and mechanical properties of the underlying soil
greatly influence the performance and reliability of foundations. Among various soil types, soft clay soils
present distinct challenges due to their low shear strength, high compressibility, and tendency for
significant settlement. These properties often lead to excessive deformation, reduced load-bearing
capacity, and potential structural instability. As a result, it becomes critical to address these challenges
through detailed analysis during the foundation design process.

Soft clay soils are frequently encountered in coastal regions, river basins, and other areas with high
groundwater tables. The unfavorable characteristics of these soils necessitate specialized engineering
approaches to ensure safe and durable foundation designs. Traditional methods, which rely on
geotechnical investigations and manual calculations, often fall short of capturing the intricate interactions
between soil and structure, particularly under varying load conditions.

Recent advancements in computational tools have enabled engineers to analyze complex soil-structure
interactions with greater precision. CSI SAFE, a versatile structural design and analysis software, has
emerged as a key tool in this domain. Designed for slabs and foundation systems, CSI SAFE integrates
geotechnical data with structural considerations, enabling accurate modeling of settlement, stress
distribution, and load paths. By simulating real-world scenarios, the software provides engineers with
valuable insights to optimize foundation designs in soft clay conditions, balancing cost-efficiency with
structural reliability.

The use of CSI SAFE involves incorporating geotechnical parameters such as soil profiles, bearing
capacity, and settlement characteristics, along with structural details like load distribution and foundation
geometry. This integration enables comprehensive modeling and assessment of foundation performance
under the constraints posed by soft clay soils. The software also facilitates the evaluation of various
foundation types, such as mat and raft foundations, allowing engineers to identify the most effective
solutions.

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This study investigates the application of CSI SAFE in analyzing foundations on soft clay soils. The
objective is to explore how the software addresses the unique challenges of soft clay, ensuring stability,
cost-effectiveness, and compliance with engineering standards. By leveraging advanced computational
capabilities, the study aims to highlight CSI SAFE's potential to enhance the reliability and efficiency of
foundation systems in challenging soil conditions.

The findings of this research are particularly relevant in the context of increasing urbanization and
development in areas with complex terrain. By improving our understanding of soft clay behavior and
utilizing advanced tools like CSI SAFE, this study contributes to the adoption of safer, more sustainable,
and economically viable construction practices.

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 1.2 RELEVANCE TO CIVIL ENGINEERING:

1. Soft clay soils are inherently weak, with low shear strength and high compressibility. These
characteristics make foundations prone to excessive settlement and instability. Accurate analysis using
CSI SAFE helps civil engineers design stable foundations by predicting settlement and stress distribution,
thereby ensuring the safety and durability of structures.
2. Traditional approaches to foundation design on soft clay often involve overdesign to compensate for
uncertainties, leading to increased costs. By leveraging the advanced modeling capabilities of CSI SAFE,
engineers can optimize foundation designs, achieving the desired performance while minimizing material
and construction costs.
3. By providing precise analyses, CSI SAFE reduces the need for conservative overdesign, leading to
efficient resource utilization and reduced environmental impact. This aligns with the growing emphasis on
sustainability in civil engineering.
4. Foundation design requires the integration of geotechnical properties (e.g., soil profiles, bearing
capacity) with structural parameters (e.g., load paths, slab behavior). CSI SAFE bridges this gap by
incorporating geotechnical data into structural models, enhancing the accuracy and reliability of design
outcomes.

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 1.3 NEED FOR THE STUDY:

Soft clay soils are widely recognized for their poor engineering properties, including low shear strength,
high compressibility, and significant settlement potential. These characteristics present considerable
challenges in the design and construction of foundations, often resulting in structural instability, excessive
deformation, and increased maintenance costs if not addressed properly. As urbanization expands into
regions with problematic soil conditions, such as coastal and riverine areas, the need for effective
foundation solutions becomes increasingly critical.

Traditional foundation design approaches, relying heavily on empirical methods and manual calculations,
are often inadequate for addressing the complex interactions between soft clay soils and structural loads.
These methods may result in overly conservative designs, leading to increased costs, or underestimate
settlement, compromising structural safety. Therefore, there is a pressing need to adopt advanced
computational tools that can precisely analyze these interactions and provide optimal solutions.

CSI SAFE, a sophisticated software tool for structural analysis and design, offers a robust platform to
address these challenges. By integrating geotechnical data with structural parameters, CSI SAFE facilitates
the accurate modeling of soil-structure interactions, settlement behavior, and stress distribution. This
enables engineers to evaluate and optimize foundation systems.

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 CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 LITERATURE REVIEW :

Soft clay soils are prevalent in coastal regions and river basins, where high groundwater levels and poor
drainage contribute to their weak engineering properties. Studied by Terzaghi (1943) and Skempton
(1951), have laid the foundation for understanding soil mechanics, highlighting the critical role of
consolidation and shear strength in foundation performance. Modern research further emphasizes the
significance of predicting settlement accurately to mitigate risks in construction.

Conventional foundation design relies on empirical methods and manual calculations, such as Terzaghi’s
bearing capacity theory and the method of slices for stability analysis. While these approaches provide a
starting point, they often fail to capture the complexities of soil-structure interaction, especially in
problematic soils like soft clay. Researchers Bowles (1996) have advocated for incorporating site-specific
geotechnical data into design processes, but the limitations of manual methods persist in handling variable
loading conditions.

The introduction of computational tools has revolutionized foundation design by enabling detailed
simulations and analyses. Software like PLAXIS, STAAD Foundation, and CSI SAFE have emerged as
powerful platforms for modeling soil-structure interactions. CSI SAFE, in particular, integrates
geotechnical parameters with structural design, offering features such as stress distribution evaluation,
settlement analysis, and load path tracing. Studies by Smith and Griffiths (2014) highlight the accuracy of
finite element methods (FEM) in modeling complex interactions, which CSI SAFE incorporates
effectively.

CSI SAFE is widely recognized for its ability to handle complex foundation systems, including mat and
raft foundations, which are commonly used on soft clay soils. Research by Nguyen et al. (2018)
demonstrates the software's capability to optimize designs by analyzing settlement patterns and stress

distributions, reducing the risk of differential settlement. Additionally, its user-friendly interface and
integration with geotechnical data make it a preferred choice for engineers.

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Several case studies have validated the use of CSI SAFE in designing foundations on soft clay soils. For
instance, a study by Patel et al. (2020) explored the performance of mat foundations in a coastal region
with soft clay, demonstrating how CSI SAFE accurately predicted settlement and optimized material
usage. Another study by Wang et al. (2021) compared manual calculations with CSI SAFE results,
concluding that the software significantly enhanced design efficiency and reliability

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 2.2OBJECTIVES :

1. To Develop accurate models that integrate geotechnical parameters with structural design for analyzing
soil-structure interaction.
2. To Analyze settlement patterns and stress distribution in different foundation types, such as mat or raft
foundations, under varying load conditions.
3. To Propose optimized foundation solutions that ensure structural stability, minimize material usage, and
adhere to safety standards.
4. To Demonstrate the software's capabilities in real-world scenarios, offering guidance for its
implementation in civil engineering projects.

11 1
 Soil Data Collection

12 1
CHAPTER 3: Methodology

Selection Of Type Of Foundation For Analysis

Define Material Properties in CSI SAFE

Create a Structural Model in CSI SAFE

Applying Load On Structural Model

Analysing

Result And Comparison

13 1
 3.1 Soil Data Collection :

The physical properties of soft clay soil are determined By laboratory testing of soil samples as per the
Indian Standards :

Disturbed Soil sample are collected From Field For Testing

3.1 SOIL SAMPLE

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 3.2SOIL SAMPLE

3.3 SOIL SAMPLE

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 3.4 SOIL SAMPLE

The geotechnical properties of soft clay soil are determined as per relevant Indian Standards (IS) :

1. Unit Weight and Specific Gravity

Unit Weight (γ):
Bulk Unit Weight: 15–18 kN/m³
Dry Unit Weight: 12–15 kN/m³
Specific Gravity (G):
Range: 2.6–2.7
Laboratory Test Standard: IS 2720 (Part 3)

2. Permeability and Settlement Characteristics

Permeability (k):
For soft clay: 10−810^{-8}10−8 to 10−910^{-9}10−9 m/s (very low permeability)
Compression Index (Cc):
Typical Range: 0.2–0.5
Coefficient of Consolidation (Cv):
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Range: 1×10−31 \times 10^{-3}1×10−3 to 5×10−35 \times 10^{-3}5×10−3 cm²/s
Laboratory Test Standard:
Permeability: IS 2720 (Part 17)
Consolidation: IS 2720 (Part 15)

3. Shear Strength Parameters

Cohesion (c):
Range: 15–25 kPa (for soft clays)
Angle of Internal Friction (φ):
Typically: 0°–5° (negligible for soft clays)
Undrained Shear Strength (Cu):
Range: 10–40 kPa
Laboratory Test Standard:
Direct Shear Test: IS 2720 (Part 13)
Unconfined Compression Test: IS 2720 (Part 11)

4. Atterberg Limits
Liquid Limit (LL):Range: 40%–80%
Plastic Limit (PL):Range: 20%–35%
Plasticity Index (PI):Range: 20%–45%
Laboratory Test Standard: IS 2720 (Part 5)

5. Compaction Properties
Optimum Moisture Content (OMC):
Range: 20%–35%
Maximum Dry Density (MDD):
Range: 1.3–1.6 g/cm³
Laboratory Test Standard: IS 2720 (Part 7)

6. Swelling and Shrinkage Characteristics

Swelling Pressure:Range: 10–50 kPa (depending on clay mineralogy and moisture content)
Laboratory Test Standard: IS 2720 (Part 40)
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 3.2 Selection Of Type Of Foundation For Analysis :

Due to the poor characteristics of soft clay soil that is, low bearing capacity and high settlement, a mat foundation
has been selected for this project. These challenges are predominantly addressed using mat foundations, which also
ensure stability and performance during the building lifespan. Finally, using CSI SAFE software provides more
precise and fast analysis leading to a best optimum foundation system.
Mat foundation, also known as a raft foundation, is an ideal choice for structures built on soft clay soil due to its
ability to distribute loads evenly over a large area. This type of foundation is particularly suited for soils with low
bearing capacity, such as soft clay, and provides several engineering and economic advantages.

3.5 MAT FOUNDATION

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 3.3 Define Material Properties in CSI SAFE :

The physical properties of soft clay soil are determined By laboratory testing of soil samples as per the
Indian Standards :

Disturbed Soil sample are collected From Field For Testing

3.1 SOIL SAMPLE

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 17

20
Balance sheet No 2 :-

Figure no2

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#Current Ration = Current Asset / Current Liabilities

= 286651.23 / (61457.2+2060600)

= 1.62%

#Working Ration = 1.62

# Net Capital Ratio = Total Asset / Total Liabilities

= 286651.23 / 212205.72

= 1.3

# Net Worth = Total Asset - Total Liabilities

= 5429811.90 – 2122057.22

= 3370754.68

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Balance sheet No 3 :-

Figure no3

20
 #Current Ration = Current Asset / Current Liabilities

= 1032 / 261

= 3.95%

#Working Ration = 3.95%

# Net Capital Ratio = Total Asset / Total Liabilities

= 6820 / 6820

=1

# Net Worth = Total Asset - Total Liabilities

= 6820 – 4355

= 2465

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Balance sheet No 4 :-

Figure no4

22
#Current Ration = Current Asset / Current Liabilities

= 75000 / 85000

= 0.88%

#Working Ration = 0.88

# Net Capital Ratio = Total Asset / Total Liabilities

= 515000 / 515000

=1

# Net Worth = Total Asset - Total Liabilities

= 515000 – 195000

=320000

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CHAPTER 4
CONCLUSION

A balance sheet serves as an essential financial statement, providing a clear overview of an organization’s
financial position at a specific point in time. By categorizing assets, liabilities, and shareholders’ equity, it
offers insights into the resources the organization controls, the obligations it owes, and the net value
attributable to its owners. This snapshot makes it easier for stakeholders like investors, creditors, and
management to understand the financial stability and solvency of the entity, which is especially useful for
decision-making.

Furthermore, the balance sheet reveals the liquidity of an organization by showing how assets are allocated
and how quickly they can be converted to cash. Current assets and liabilities help in assessing the
organization's ability to meet short-term obligations, while long-term assets and liabilities show
commitments that impact future operations. This distribution between short-term and long-term financial
elements is crucial for predicting cash flow needs and ensuring the organization remains solvent in both the
near and distant future.

Finally, the balance sheet, when used alongside other financial statements, offers a comprehensive view of
the organization’s performance and financial health. Trends in assets, liabilities, and equity over time can
indicate growth, efficiency in resource management, and areas requiring financial restructuring. Overall, the
balance sheet is a vital component in financial reporting that supports transparency, accountability, and
strategic planning within any organization, helping it to sustain operations and foster growth.

1) Lai Bhari hotel :- by analyzing this balance sheet we can conclude that this hotel in not profit or not in
loss , NET CAPITAL RATIO it is 1.

2) Godawari File Company :- by analyzing this balance sheet we can conclude that this company in profit
, NET CAPITAL RATIO it is 1.3

3) Indian Hume Pipes LTD:- by analyzing this balance sheet we can conclude that this hotel in not profit or not
in loss, NET CAPITAL RATIO it is 1.

4) CMP Construction Company :- by analyzing this balance sheet we can conclude that this hotel in not profit or not
in loss, NET CAPITAL RATIO it is 1.

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CHAPTER 5

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