According to Terzaghi and Peck, the ultimate bearing capacity can be determined from the following expression:

For alluvial soil mostly met with in North Indian Rivers, the normal scour depth can be calculated by Lacey’s formula:

The maximum depth of scour at the nose of the pier, is found to be twice the Lacey’s value of normal scour depth: R = 2RL.

Based on the assumptions done by Banerjee and Gangopadhyay in 1960, the analysis of well foundation can be done.

According to IRC code, it is recommended that the minimum depth of embankment below the scour level should not be less than 2.0 m for piers and abutment with arches and 1.2 m for other types of structures.

Factor m, called the coefficient of horizontal soil reaction depends on the nature of soil, size and shape of the area which carries the load.

The selection of the depth of a well is based on the following two criteria:

A well foundation is liable to the following horizontal forces: i) force on account of water current ii) wind forces iii) seismic forces iv) earth pressure v) centrifugal forces.

According to the code of practice of the Indian Road Congress, the grip length is taken as 1/3 R below the scour level.

When a rigid soil, embedded in sand, starts moving parallel to its original position under the action of a horizontal force, it transforms the soil on one side to passive state and the other side in to active state.