Research on improvement of Terzaghi’s bearing capacity equation for coral sand foundation

The mechanical characteristics of coral reef sandy soil is significantly different from the sand and clay soils. Currently, Terzaghi's bearing capacity equation still commonly applied to evaluate reef, while calculation result not consistent with actual condition. Based on a port project in east Africa, plate loading test has been conducted P-S curves are obtained, values obtained results compared calculated based Terzaghi’s equation. According multiple linear regression optimal selected by significance test, modified Terzaghi foundation area proposed, important reference value for calculating foundations.