Front. Struct. Civ. Eng.

https://doi.org/10.1007/s11709-018-0474-6

RESEARCH ARTICLE

Multivariable regression model for Fox depth correction

factor
Ravi Kant MITTALa* , Sanket RAWATa, Piyush BANSALb
a
Department of Civil Engineering, Birla Institute of Technology & Science, Pilani 333031, India
b
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
*
Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]

© Higher Education Press and Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature 2018
ABSTRACT This paper presents a simple and efficient equation for calculating the Fox depth correction factor used in
computation of settlement reduction due to foundation embedment. Classical solution of Boussinesq theory was used
originally to develop the Fox depth correction factor equations which were rather complex in nature. The equations were
later simplified in the form of graphs and tables and referred in various international code of practices and standard texts
for an unsophisticated and quick analysis. However, these tables and graphs provide the factor only for limited values of
the input variables and hence again complicates the process of automation of analysis. Therefore, this paper presents a
non-linear regression model for the analysis of effect of embedment developed using “IBM Statistical Package for the
Social Sciences” software. Through multiple iterations, the value of coefficient of determination is found to reach 0.987.
The equation is straightforward, competent and easy to use for both manual and automated calculation of the Fox depth
correction factor for wide range of input values. Using the developed equation, parametric study is also conducted in the
later part of the paper to analyse the extent of effect of a particular variable on the Fox depth factor.

KEYWORDS settlement, embedment, Fox depth correction factor, regression, multivariable

1 Introduction with regard to the coordinate axes, Fox depth correction

factor (If ) was proposed and expressed as
Depth correction factor is required to incorporate the effect
of depth of embedment on settlement of footing. Its X
5
β s Ys
incorporation might lead to up to 50% reduction in the s¼1
calculated settlement and an increase up to 100% in the If ¼ , (1)
ðβ1 þ β2 ÞY1
calculated allowable pressure, hence results in an economi-
cal design of foundation. Various depth factors have been where
proposed in the existing literature to integrate the effect of
embedment [1–3]. However, these are limited only to β1 ¼ 3 – 4v, (2)
sands (v = 0.3). Conversely, Fox [4] recommended a
generalized formula valid for a wide range of input β2 ¼ 5 – 12v þ 8v2 , (3)
variables to calculate the depth correction factor. The
equation idea was originally developed by Mindlin [5] β3 ¼ – 4vð1 – 2vÞ, (4)
who tried to extend the classical Boussinesq solutions to a
more generalised loading case. Mindlin’s analysis was β4 ¼ – 1 þ 4v – 8v2 , (5)
directly applied to an element of variable load acting at a
point to evaluate its vertical displacement. Through
applying proper boundary conditions and integration β5 ¼ – 4ð1 – 2vÞ2 , (6)

r ¼ 2Df , (7)
Article history: Received Aug 6, 2017; Accepted Nov 27, 2017
2 Front. Struct. Civ. Eng.

r12 ¼ L2 þ r2 , (8)

r22 ¼ B2 þ r2 , (9)

r32 ¼ L2 þ B2 þ r2 (10)

r42 ¼ L2 þ B2 , (11)

r4 þ B r þ L r43 – L3 – B3
Y1 ¼ Lln þ Bln 4 – , (12)
L B 3LB

r3 þ B r þ L r33 – r23 – r13 þ r3

Y2 ¼ Lln þ Bln 3 – , (13)
r1 r2 3LB

r2 ðB þ r2 Þr1 r2 ðL þ r1 Þr2
Y3 ¼ ln þ ln , (14)
L ðB þ r3 Þr B ðL þ r3 Þr

r2 ðr1 þ r2 – r3 – rÞ
Y4 ¼ , (15)
LB

LB
Y5 ¼ rarctan , (16)
rr3
where Df is the depth of footing, L is the length of footing,
B is the breadth of footing, and v is Poisson’s ratio.
Fox’s depth correction factor is used worldwide by
geotechnical practitioners and has been reported in
numerous researchers, code of practices and standard
texts [6–13]. In all the existing literature, its adoption is
essentially preferred in the form of simplified graphs and
tables since the formulae given by Fox [4] are complex Fig. 1 Fox depth correction curves for v= 0.5 [4,6]
which makes the associated calculation time consuming.
Indian Standard IS 8009 [6], Hong Kong Code of inconvenient to incorporate the tables in the automated
practice for foundations [7], Bowles [8] and Das [10,11] design process. Instead, a simple model with fewer terms
provide the factor in the form of graphs. The use of these based on the values given by Fox [4] will make the
complex graphs in the settlement analysis of foundation computation of the same much faster and easier. The
makes the process tedious as the user has to take the input accuracy in the estimation of the factor will further
from the graphs every time to estimate the settlement. improve as compared to the manual estimation of the value
Also, the risk of manual error always goes along. from the graphs and tables. Furthermore, it will also
Moreover, Bowles [8] had used a semi-log graph, and improve the computational efficiency of the optimization
therefore, for intermediate values, simple linear interpola- study. Therefore, this paper presents a convenient equation
tion also does not work. Another drawback of these graphs to estimate the Fox depth correction factor; valid for a
is that they are valid only for specific values of the broad range of input variables, developed using IBM
Poisson’s ratio (IS 8009 [6] is valid for v = 0.5 only as Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) soft-
shown in Fig. 1 and Bowles [8] is valid for v = 0.3 or 0.5). ware.
Hence, one has to rely on the intricate equations for the
analysis if the Poisson’s ratio is other than 0.3 or 0.5.
Bowles [14] solved the Fox equation [4] for different 2 Regression model
combinations of the inputs and provided the factor in the
form of a table (Table 1). Fox equations [4] were incorporated in MATLAB routine
Though the table is easy to read as compared to the and 19992 data points of Fox depth correction factor were
graphs, however linear interpolation would be required for developed with the use of different combinations of input
several inputs variables. In those cases, it becomes variables i.e., varying Df/B at interval of 0.01 within range
 Ravi Kant MITTAL et al. Multivariable regression model for Fox depth correction factor 3

Table 1 Fox depth correction factor for different input range [14]
L/B
Df/B
1.0 1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8 2.0 5.0
Poisson’s ratio = 0.0
0.05 0.950 0.954 0.957 0.959 0.961 0.963 0.973
0.10 0.904 0.911 0.917 0.922 0.925 0.928 0.948
0.20 0.825 0.838 0.847 0.855 0.862 0.867 0.903
0.40 0.710 0.727 0.740 0.752 0.761 0.769 0.827
0.60 0.635 0.652 0.666 0.678 0.689 0.698 0.769
0.80 0.585 0.600 0.614 0.626 0.637 0.646 0.723
1.00 0.549 0.563 0.576 0.587 0.598 0.607 0.686
2.00 0.468 0.476 0.484 0.492 0.499 0.506 0.577
Poisson’s ratio = 0.1
0.05 0.958 0.962 0.965 0.967 0.968 0.970 0.978
0.10 0.919 0.926 0.930 0.934 0.938 0.940 0.957
0.20 0.848 0.859 0.868 0.875 0.881 0.886 0.917
0.40 0.739 0.755 0.768 0.779 0.788 0.795 0.848
0.60 0.665 0.682 0.696 0.708 0.718 0.727 0.793
0.80 0.615 0.630 0.644 0.656 0.667 0.676 0.749
1.00 0.579 0.593 0.606 0.618 0.628 0.637 0.714
2.00 0.496 0.505 0.513 0.521 0.528 0.535 0.606
Poisson’s ratio = 0.3
0.05 0.979 0.981 0.982 0.983 0.984 0.985 0.990
0.10 0.954 0.958 0.962 0.964 0.966 0.968 0.977
0.20 0.902 0.911 0.917 0.923 0.927 0.930 0.951
0.40 0.808 0.823 0.834 0.843 0.851 0.857 0.899
0.60 0.738 0.754 0.767 0.778 0.788 0.796 0.852
0.80 0.687 0.703 0.716 0.728 0.738 0.747 0.813
1.00 0.650 0.665 0.678 0.689 0.700 0.709 0.780
2.00 0.562 0.571 0.580 0.588 0.596 0.603 0.675
Poisson’s ratio = 0.4
0.05 0.989 0.990 0.991 0.992 0.992 0.993 0.995
0.10 0.973 0.976 0.978 0.980 0.981 0.982 0.988
0.20 0.932 0.940 0.945 0.949 0.952 0.955 0.970
0.40 0.848 0.862 0.872 0.881 0.887 0.893 0.927
0.60 0.779 0.795 0.808 0.819 0.828 0.836 0.886
0.80 0.727 0.743 0.757 0.769 0.779 0.788 0.849
1.00 0.689 0.704 0.718 0.730 0.740 0.749 0.818
2.00 0.596 0.606 0.615 0.624 0.632 0.640 0.714
Poisson’s ratio = 0.5
0.05 0.997 0.997 0.998 0.998 0.998 0.998 0.999
0.10 0.988 0.990 0.991 0.992 0.993 0.993 0.996
0.20 0.960 0.966 0.969 0.972 0.974 0.976 0.985
0.40 0.886 0.899 0.908 0.916 0.922 0.926 0.953
0.60 0.818 0.834 0.847 0.857 0.866 0.873 0.917
0.80 0.764 0.781 0.795 0.807 0.817 0.826 0.883
1.00 0.723 0.740 0.754 0.766 0.777 0.786 0.852
2.00 0.622 0.633 0.643 0.653 0.662 0.670 0.747
4 Front. Struct. Civ. Eng.

0.05 to 2; L/B at an interval of 0.25 within 1 to 5 range and cated, straightforward and valid for Df/B = 0.05 to 2, L/B =
Poisson’s ratio at an interval of 0.1 within 0 to 0.5 range. 1 to 5 and v = 0 to 0.5. The equation can be easily used by
Numerous regression models were attempted for their the practitioners to automate the process of analysis of
accuracy to reach out to the most accurate ones in IBM settlement of foundation.
SPSS software. For each cycle, the standard regression
procedure was repeated. Different combinations in terms
of arithmetic operations were tried along with separate 4 Parametric study
combinations for curve fitting for each case. Some of the
examples of the attempted regression models have been The parametric studies are critical in quantifying the extent
described in Table 2. of effect of a particular parameter on the output [15]. The
main variables in the developed equation are Df/B, L/B and
Poisson’s ratio. Therefore, to quantify the exact effect of
3 Results and discussion different variables on Fox depth correction factor, the
parametric study becomes an important basis.
Equation (17) depicts the finalized model of the non-linear
regression analysis performed using IBM SPSS Statistics 4.1 Effect of Df/B and L/B factors conjointly on Fox depth
for the correction factor for depth of embedment. factor
Proposed equation of Fox depth correction factor:
Figure 3(a) depicts the change in the Fox depth correction
Df L
1:001 þ 1:194 þ 0:842 þ 7:63v factor with respect to Df/B for different L/B ratio. The
If ¼ B B : (17) Poisson’s ratio is assumed to a constant value of 0.3 here. It
Df L
1 þ 3:738 þ 0:839 þ 7:3v can be clearly observed that on increase in the Df/B ratio,
B B the depth factor decreases considerably as increase from
To illustrate the accuracy of the developed equation, data 0.05 to 2 leads to a reduction of about 43.01% in the Fox
mentioned in Bowles [14] table (Table 1) is compared with depth correction factor for L/B = 1. As the L/B ratio is
the values predicted by the developed equation. This increased, the percentage reduction decreases as at L/B = 5
regression model shows a good agreement between the it is found to be 33.35% in comparison to 43.01% at L/B
predicted values and the actual values (Fig. 2) since its = 1. To get a clear picture of effect of L/B effect on Fox
coefficient of determination is reported as 0.9874. It has depth factor, effect of variation of L/B factor is studied for
been found that more than 98.6% of the data has a specific Df/B ratios (Fig. 3(b)). It can be clearly observed
percentage error within 5%. The generalized equation for that the variation of L/B does not influence the Fox depth
calculating the Fox depth correction factor is uncompli- factor much for low Df/B ratio (only 0.41% increase after

Table 2 Trial regression models for Fox depth correction factor

S. No. developed models R2

1 L D 0.857
If ¼ 0:021 – 0:188 f þ 0:306v þ 0:796
B B
  – 0:16  0:075
2 D L 0.878
If ¼ 0:6 f  1:51v
B B
3 L D 0.958
If ¼ 0:129log – 0:287log f þ 0:307v þ 0:583
B B
 0:376   – 0:171
4 D L 0.9703
If ¼ – 0:475 f þ 1:064  1:271v
B B
 0:331   – 0:184   – 0:0103
5 D L L 0.9814
If ¼ – 0:626 f  0:49v þ 1:181
B B B
 0:356   – 0:189   – 0:008
6 D L L 0.9820
If ¼ – 0:580 f  0:544v þ 1:14  1:055v
B B B
 0:355   – 0:189   – 0:008
7 D L L 0.9823
If ¼ – 0:585 f  0:537v þ 1:138 þ 0:007  23:78v
B B B
D L
1:001 þ 1:194 f þ 0:842 þ 7:63v
If ¼ B B
8 D L 0.9874
1 þ 3:738 f þ 0:839 þ 7:3v
B B
 Ravi Kant MITTAL et al. Multivariable regression model for Fox depth correction factor 5

high Df/B ratio can intensify the effect.

4.2 Effect of Df/B and Poisson’s ratio conjointly on Fox

depth factor

The effect of variation of Df/B ratio at different Poisson’s

ratio (L/B fixed as constant to 2) follows the same pattern
as the behaviour at different L/B ratio (Fig. 3). Figure 4(a)
clearly depicts that on increase in the Df/B ratio at specific
Poisson’s ratio, the Fox depth factor reduces substantially.
This behaviour is slightly enhanced than the one observed
at specific L/B ratio (Fig. 3(a)). Increase in Df/B ratio from
0.05 to 2.00 leads to a reduction of about 45.04% in the
Fox depth correction factor for Poisson’s ratio = 0.1.
Figure 4(b) separately depicts the effect of Poisson’s ratio
on Fox depth correction factor and proves the significance
of the enhanced behaviour observed in the present case in
comparison to the previous section. At low Df/B ratio, the
effect of variation of Poisson’s ratio on Fox depth factor
follows the same pattern as Fig. 3, since only 3.19%
Fig. 2 Comparison curve for predicted values relative to the increase is observed on increasing the Poisson’s ratio to 5
actual ones times. However, this behaviour is enhanced at higher Df/B
ratio as the percentage increase goes up to 20.08%.
Therefore, it can be concluded that the influence of Df/B
factor on Fox depth factor is high than the Poisson’s ratio
at a constant L/B ratio. However, in comparison to L/B ratio
(Fig. 3), the effect of Poisson’s ratio on Fox depth factor is
slightly extensive.

Fig. 3 Effect of conjoint variation of (a) Df/B and (b) L/B on Fox
depth factor

increasing L/B ratio from 1 to 5). However, at higher Df/B

ratios, this effect can be enhanced since 17.40% increase in
Fox depth correction factor was observed on increasing the
L/B ratio from 1 to 5 at Df/B = 2. Overall, it can be
concluded that at a constant Poisson’s ratio, influence of
Df/B factor on Fox depth factor is very high in comparison Fig. 4 Effect of conjoint variation of (a) Df/B and (b) Poisson’s
to the influence of L/B factor. However, a high L/B factor at ratio on Fox depth factor
6 Front. Struct. Civ. Eng.

4.3 Effect of L/B and Poisson’s ratio conjointly on Fox objectives of safety and serviceability. However, this
depth factor design process is primarily a trial and error procedure
depending upon the load combinations obtained during
Now, as it has already been substantiated that the effect of analysis. Multiple trials are performed to reach to a design
Df/B factor is most significant on Fox depth correction that incurs lesser construction cost. Since, performing
factor. Also, Poisson’s ratio (at constant L/B) affects the these multiple iterations manually, is a tedious and time-
Fox depth factor somewhat considerably as compared to L/ consuming process, hence optimization studies started
B factor (at constant Poisson’s ratio). Moreover, this gaining immense attention to lower down the computa-
behaviour is more evident at high Df/B ratio. Figure 5 tional cost. Numerous studies have been performed to
further validates the effect of mutual variation of L/B and optimize the foundation while successively improving
Poisson’s ratio at constant Df/B ratio (Df/B = 1). It can be either the type of constraints functions or number of design
clearly observed from Fig. 5 that the effect of variation of variables [16–22]. On the whole. it can be believed that
Poisson’s ratio on Fox depth factor at a specific L/B settlement of footing is an important constraint in the
follows the same pattern as the reverse variation. In both optimization study of foundations. Moreover, the depth of
the cases, the increase of 5 times in the abscissa value lead embedment is also found to be a controlling design
to approx. 23% increase in the Fox depth factor. At higher variable in existing literature [19,20,22]. To account the
L/B ratio (Fig. 5(a)) or higher Poisson’s ratio (Fig. 5(b)), actual behaviour of the depth of embedment, it becomes
the percentage increase is observed to be reduced but is necessary to incorporate the depth correction factor into
essentially the same for both the cases. Therefore, it can be optimization algorithm. Fox depth correction is widely
concluded that though the mutual variation of L/B and recognised correction factor to consider the depth of
Poisson’s ratio affect the Fox depth factor, this effect tends embedment and has been advocated by many international
to reduce at their higher ratios. codes of practices and text books as already discussed [6–
13]. Most of the existing literature recommends the use of
Fox depth correction curves since the original Fox depth
equation contains large number of intricate terms and it
becomes unfeasible to use the equation. Moreover, in the
iterative optimization process, it also becomes necessary to
increase the number of constraints for the actual Fox
equation as it contains many logarithmic terms which has a
particular range of functioning. Also, the large number of
terms present in Fox depth equation can considerably
reduce the computational efficiency of an optimization
process. On the contrary, the developed equation contains
few simple terms which has no likelihood of being in the
zone of indeterminacy like the logarithmic term in the
original Fox equation. Furthermore, the developed equa-
tion can be easily incorporated within any program or
software to reflect the effect of embedment.

5.2 Other domains

Apart from the optimization studies, the developed

equation is very much suitable for every other area
where the settlement of coarse or fine-grained soils need to
be evaluated. Indian Standard IS 8009 [6] provides the
graph of Fox depth correction factor for Poisson’s ratio =
Fig. 5 Effect of conjoint variation of (a) Poisson’s ratio and 0.5 only. As the Poisson’s ratio is found to be the second
(b) L/B on Fox depth factor most effective input parameter in the parametric study, the
designer is bound to take the original value of Poisson’s
ratio and cannot use the depth correction factor at default
5 Advantages of the developed equation value of 0.5. However, it becomes difficult to assess the
factor at any other value of Poisson’s ratio as Indian
5.1 Optimization studies Standard IS 8009 [6] does not specify any way to calculate
the values at other Poisson’s ratio. The same problem
Economy in the design of structural members has gained persists in Hong Kong code of practice for foundations [7].
significant attention recently along with the earlier Though multiple graphs are referred in the code, yet for
 Ravi Kant MITTAL et al. Multivariable regression model for Fox depth correction factor 7

intermediate values of Poisson’s ratio, inter-graphs inter- of Indian Standards, 1976

polation would be required. Moreover, it is also compli- 7. The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
cated to read the accurate value from graph. Therefore, for Hong Kong Code of Practice for Foundations, Building Department.
a prompt and accurate measurement of the depth correction 2004
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