Foundation Design Analyzer
Analyze soil data and design foundations with bearing capacity calculations
What You Can Do
This skill synthesizes soil investigation reports, borehole logs, and laboratory test results into actionable foundation design recommendations. You can perform bearing capacity calculations using standard methods (Terzaghi, Meyerhof, Hansen), evaluate settlement potential, determine appropriate foundation types (spread footings, piles, mats, micropiles), and generate professional design reports that integrate engineering judgment with quantitative analysis—all while maintaining full traceability of assumptions and factors of safety.
Features
Computes allowable bearing pressures using Terzaghi, Meyerhof, and Hansen methods with customizable factors of safety
Converts Standard Penetration Test N-values and laboratory results into design parameters and soil classification
Evaluates immediate, consolidation, and differential settlement potential with risk flagging
Compares shallow foundations, deep piles, mat foundations, and micropiles with cost-benefit analysis
Produces client-ready documentation with assumptions, calculations, and design traceability
Identifies soil anomalies, variable strata, and design constraints requiring engineer review
Structures findings for design team integration and regulatory submission
Maintains transparent documentation of all applied safety factors and engineering judgment
Example Output
Example 1: Spread Footing Analysis
- Soil Profile: Dense sand (SPT N=35) over stiff clay (SPT N=22)
- Allowable Bearing Pressure (Meyerhof): 285 kPa at 1.5 m depth
- Settlement Estimate: 18 mm immediate + 12 mm consolidation
- Recommendation: 1.5 m × 1.5 m spread footing at 1.5 m depth, bearing pressure limited to 250 kPa (conservative)
Example 2: Pile Foundation Decision
- Soil Profile: 3 m fill/soft clay, then dense sand below
- Shallow foundation settlement risk: 75 mm differential
- Recommended: 400 mm diameter bored piles to 12 m depth in dense sand
- Pile Capacity (shaft + tip): 850 kN per pile, safety factor = 2.5
- Cost comparison: Piles +25% material, -40% settlement risk
Example 3: Design Summary Report
- Bearing capacity summary table with three foundation options
- Settlement assessment with differential settlement matrix
- Design assumptions and factor of safety justification
- Recommended foundation type with depth, dimensions, and pressure limits
What's Included
- SKILL.md instruction file with analysis methodology and workflow:
- Bearing Capacity Calculation Template: Pre-formatted sheets for Terzaghi, Meyerhof, and Hansen methods
- SPT Data Processing Checklist: Step-by-step guide for converting field logs to design parameters
- Foundation Type Comparison Matrix: Framework for evaluating spread footings, piles, mats, and micropiles
- Design Report Template: Professional memo format with assumptions, calculations, and recommendations
- Settlement Assessment Worksheet: Structured approach to immediate and consolidation settlement evaluation
Who It's For
- Geotechnical Engineers — Designing foundations from soil investigation data and producing design documentation
- Structural Engineers — Evaluating foundation recommendations and coordinating with geotechnical team
- Junior Engineers & Graduates — Learning soil-to-structure design workflow and bearing capacity principles
- Construction Managers — Reviewing geotechnical recommendations for feasibility and cost implications
- Project Engineers — Preparing foundation design memos for client approval and regulatory submission
Best For
- Preliminary foundation design analysis from Phase 1 borehole investigation data
- Converting SPT N-values and laboratory test results into allowable bearing pressures
- Evaluating and comparing multiple foundation options (shallow vs. deep, cost-benefit analysis)
- Settlement assessment and differential settlement risk evaluation
- Generating professional design documentation for client approval and permit submission
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