Bearing Capacity of Shallow

Foundations
CIVL 451 – Foundation Engineering –
Classroom Notes
 Definitions
• For foundation design to be satisfactory three main principles
must be satisfied;

– Shear failure of the soil carrying the foundation should be

avoided,

– Excessive displacements should be avoided,

– Excessive differential settlements between individual

foundations should be avoided.
Shear Failure Mechanisms
Terzaghi’s Bearing Capacity Theory
Terzaghi’s Bearing Capacity Theory

For GENERAL SHEAR

FAILURE.
Terzaghi’s Bearing Capacity Theory
• Bearing capacity factors for General Shear Failure equations;
Terzaghi’s Bearing Capacity Theory
• For Local Shear Failure;
 Global Factor of Safety
• In order to ensure that excessive displacements are avoided, a
factor of safety (FS) can be applied on the estimated ultimate
bearing capacity such that;

• However, this is a lump sum factor and it does not necessarily

guarantee that the allowable settlement criteria will be
satisfied. Independent settlement calculations should be
carried out to provide an explicit check on the predicted
settlement.
• Traditionally, FS is used as 3 for shallow foundations. Eurocode
7 advise factoring parameters used in the calculations as well
as the applied loads.
Terzaghi’s Bearing Capacity Theory
 Effect of Water Table
• The effect of water table on the bearing capacity can be
considered as;
 Exercises

Reference: B.M. Das, Principles of Foundation Engineering, Thomson –

Brooks/Cole.