---
title: "Define grip length, tilt and shift"
subject: "Foundation Engineering"
chapter: 9
key: "semester_5/foundation_engineering:well-define-grip-tilt-shift"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_5/foundation_engineering/well-define-grip-tilt-shift
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Define grip length, tilt and shift

Foundation Engineering · Chapter 9: Well Foundations

- Asked in: 2076 Chaitra, 2 marks
- Video: [What is Tilt and Shift | Calculation of Tilt Shift | Sinking of Well Foundation](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZY1da8Ei0jU) — Civil Gyan
- Answer checked by Claude Sonnet 5.5 on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_5/foundation_engineering/well-define-grip-tilt-shift
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_5/foundation_engineering/chapter-9

## Question

Define grip length and tilt and shift of well.

## Short answer

Grip length: depth below max scour level, ≥1/3 of max scour depth. Tilt: inclination of well axis from vertical, permissible 1 in 80. Shift: lateral displacement of the well centre from design position, permissible about 150 mm.

## Answer

- **Grip length:** the depth of a well foundation below the maximum scour level; at least one-third of the maximum scour depth. It gives the lateral stability of the well.
- **Tilt:** the inclination of the axis of the well from the vertical, which occurs during sinking because of uneven dredging or obstructions; the permissible tilt is 1 in 80.
- **Shift:** the lateral displacement of the centre of the well from its designed position, at the base or at the top; the permissible shift is about 150 mm.

## Check yourself

The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why.

1. Grip length is at least:
   A. Equal to scour depth
   B. 1/3 of max scour depth, below max scour level
   C. 1 m
   D. 1/10 of depth
   Answer: B. It gives lateral stability. (Key point: Grip length)

2. Permissible tilt is:
   A. 1 in 8
   B. 1 in 800
   C. 150 mm
   D. 1 in 80
   Answer: D. Tilt is axis inclination from vertical, limited to 1 in 80. (Key point: Tilt)

3. Shift is:
   A. Inclination of axis
   B. Lateral displacement of well centre from designed position, about 150 mm permissible
   C. Settlement
   D. Scour depth
   Answer: B. Shift is horizontal displacement, limited to about 150 mm. (Key point: Shift)

## Related in Foundation Engineering

- [Remedies for tilt and shift of well](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Ffoundation_engineering%3Awell-tilt-shift-remedies) — Foundation Engineering, chapter 9, asked 9×
- [Precautions against tilt and shift of well](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Ffoundation_engineering%3Awell-tilt-shift-precautions) — Foundation Engineering, chapter 9
- [Grip length and its importance](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Ffoundation_engineering%3Awell-grip-length) — Foundation Engineering, chapter 9

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