The Bearing Capacity of

Soils
Dr Omar Al Hattamleh

Bearing Capacity of Soils

on Eccentrically Loaded Footings
Foundations with a One-Way Eccentricity.
 In most instances, foundations are subjected to moments in addition to the vertical
load as shown below.
 In such cases the distribution of pressure by the foundation upon the soil is not
uniform.

The effective width is

now,
B’ = B - 2e
whereas the effective
length is Still,
L’ = L

1
The distribution of the nominal (contact) pressure

where Q is the total vertical load and M is the moment

on the footing in one axis.

Substituting equation in equations above Eqs. yields:

Notes

• Note that in these equations,

– when the eccentricity e becomes B/6, qmin is zero.
– For e >B/6, qmin will be negative, which means that tension
will develop. Because soils can sustain very little tension,
there will be a separation between the footing and the soil
under it.
– The value of qmax is then

Also note that the eccentricity tends to decrease the load bearing capacity of a
foundation.

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 Foundations with Two-way Eccentricities
Consider a footing subject to a vertical ultimate load Qult and a
moment M as shown in Figures. For this case, the components of
the moment M about the x and y axis are Mx and My respectively.
This condition is equivalent to a load Q placed eccentrically on the
footing with x = eB and y = eL

Modification for General Bearing Capacity

The general bearing capacity equation is therefore modified to,

 As before, to evaluate Fcs , Fqs , and Fs , use the effective

length (L') and the effective width (B') dimensions instead of L
and B, respectively.
 To calculate Fcd , Fqd , and Fd and ,do not replace B with B'.
 The factor of safety against bearing capacity failure is FS
=Qult/Q
 Check the factor of safety against qmax or FS = qu/qmax
 Finally note we confine here our self to eL L/6 or eBB/6

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A continuous (wall) foundation is shown in Figure below. Estimate the ultimate load
using general bearing capacity equation, per unit length of the foundation. Consider
general shear failure and ground water table very deep.

f’=30o Nc=30.14 Nq=18.4 N= 22.4

B’=B-2e=1.60-2*0.15=1.30m
Fcs=Fqs=Fs=1.000 q=Df=16(1)=16 kPa

Fqd=1+2tan30(1-sin30)21.0/1.60=1.18
Fqi=(1-b/90)2=(1-20/90)2=0.61
Fi=(1-b/f)2=(1-20/30)2=0.11

qu’=(0)+16(18.4)(1)(1.18)(0.61)+0.5(16)(1.30)(22.4)(1.00)(1.00)(0.11)=237.53kPa

Qult=qu’(Area)=237.53B’=237.53(1.30)=308.8kN/m

For the above example: 1) calculate the maximum and minimum

contact pressure
2) if the design load in the wall footing was 120 kN/m, determine the
Factors of safety against bearing capacity failure

qmax=(120/(1.60))*(1+6*0.15/1.6)=117.19kPa

qmin=(120/(1.60))*(1-6*0.15/1.6)=32.81kPa

FS=Qult/Q=308.8/120=2.57
FS = qu/qmax=237.53/117.19=2.03

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 Example
A square footing is 1.8 X 1.8 m with a 0.4 X 0.4 m square column. It is
loaded with an axial load of 1800 kN and Mx = 450 kN • m; My =
360 kN • m. Undrained triaxial tests (soil not saturated) give f’ =
36° and c = 20 kPa. The footing depth D = 1.85 m; the soil unit
weight  = 17.00 kN/m3; the water table is at a depth of 6.1 m from
the ground surface.

eB=My/axial load=My/Q=360/1800=0.2 m
eL= Mx/axial load=Mx/Q=450/1800=0.25 m
B’=B-2eB=1.80-2*0.20=1.40m
L’=L-2eL=1.80-2*0.25=1.30m
But always B’<L”, therefore, B’=1.30 m L’=1.40m
f’=36 Nc=50.59 ; Nq=37.75 and N=56.31
Shape Factors

Fcs=1+(1.30/1.40)*(37.75/50.59)=1.693
Fqs=1+(1.3/1.4)tan36=1.675
Fs=1-0.4(1.3/1.4)=0.63

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 Depth Factors:

f’>0 and Df=1.85>1.80m

Fqd=1+2tan36(1-sin36)2tan-1(1.85/1.80)=1.197

Fcd=1.197-(1-1.197)/(50.59*tan36)=1.20
Fd=1.00
NO inclination in the load therefore, Fci=Fqi=Fi=1.00
GWT depth =6.1m from surface d=(6.1-1.85)> B=1.80m
therefore GWT has no effect.
q=Df=17.00(1.85)=31.45kPa

qu’=(20)(50.59)(1.693)(1.20)(1.00)+31.45(37.75)(1.675)(1.197)(1.00)
+0.5(17.00)(1.300)(56.31)(0.63)(1.00)(1.00)=4827.96kPa
Qu’=qu’(B’L’)=4827.96(1.30*1.40)=8786.89kN
qmax.=(Qall/(BL))*(1+6eB/B+6eL/L)
=(1800/(1.80*1.80))(1+6*0.25/1.8+6*0.2/1.80)=1388.9kPa
qmin. .=(Qall/(BL))*(1-6eB/B-6eL/L)
=(1800/(1.80*1.80))(1-6*0.25/1.8-6*0.2/1.80)=-277.8kPa

F.S=Qu’/Q design=8786.89/1800=4.9
F.S=qu’/qmax=4827.96kPa/1388.9kPa=3.50
qmin =-277.8kPa <0.0 at least qmin=0.0

1=6eB/B+6eL/L since footing is square and Neither eL nor eB

function of dimension! Thus for square footing B=L
1=6*(0.2/B+0.25/B)=(0.45)*6/B B=2.7 m!

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 Bearing Capacity For Footings
On Layered Soils
• There are three general cases of the footing on
a layered soil as follows:
Case 1. Footing on layered clays (all f = 0) as in Fig..
a. Top layer weaker than lower layer (c1 < c2)
b. Top layer stronger than lower layer (c1 > c2)

Case 2. Footing on layered f-c soils with a, b same as case 1.

Case 3. Footing on layered sand and clay soils as in Fig.

a. Sand overlying clay
b. Clay overlying sand

Failure surface Below Footing

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Stronger Soil Is Underlain By A Weaker Soil -1

If H, the thickness of the layer of soil below the

footing, is relatively large then the failure surface
will be completely located in the top soil layer,
which is the upper limit for the ultimate bearing
capacity.

Stronger Soil Is Underlain By A Weaker Soil -II

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In this condition, where the stronger surface soil is underlain by
a weaker stratum, the general Bearing capacity equation is
modified to,

where, ca is the adhesion, Ks is the punching shear coefficient, qt is

the bearing capacity of the top soil layer, qb is the bearing capacity
of the bottom soil layer, H is the height of top layer, f1 is the angle
of internal friction of top soil and f2 for the bottom soil.

Ca determination

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 punching shear coefficient Ks

The Other Cases

1. The top layer is strong, and the bottom layer is

a saturated soft clay (f = 0);
2. The top layer is stronger sand and the bottom
layer is a weaker sand (c1 = 0) (c2 = 0);
3. The top layer is a stronger saturated clay (f1 =
0), and the bottom layer is weaker saturated
clay (f2 = 0).

Use the same method before

and apply corrections were needed

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 Example
A foundation 1.5 m by 1 m is placed at a depth of 1.25
m in a stiff clay. A softer clay layer is located at a
depth of 1.1 m measured from the bottom of the
foundation. For the top layer, the un-drained shear
strength is 120 kN/m2, the unit weight is 16.8 kN/m2,
and for the bottom layer the un-drained shear strength
is 48 kN/m2, and the unit weight is 16.2 kN/m2. Find
the allowable bearing capacity for this footing.

GS
1.25 m B=1.0 m
Cu=120kPa,
1.10 m sat=16.8kN/m3

Cu=48kPa,
sat=16.2kN/m3

Solution:
H=1.1m>1.0 m =B, therefore two-layers soil

For top layer soil in undrained condition

fu=0.0, Nc=5.14, Nq=1.00, N=0.0

Shape Factors

Fcs=1+(1.0/1.5)(1.0/5.14)=1.13 Fqs=1+(1/1.5)tan0.0=1.00 Fs=1-0.4*(1/1.5)=0.733

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 qt=120.0(5.14)(1.13)+(16.8)(1.25)(1.00)+0.0=717.98kPa

fu=0.0, Nc=5.14, Nq=1.00, N=0.0

Fcs=1+(1.0/1.5)(1.0/5.14)=1.13
Fqs=1+(1/1.5)tan0.0=1.00
Fs=1-0.4*(1/1.5)=0.733
qb=(48)(5.14)(1.13)+16.8(1.25+1.1)(1)(1)+0.00=318.27kPa

q1=120(5.14)+0
q2/q1=48/120=0.4
q2=48(5.14)+0

ca/c1=0.90 ca=0.9*120=108kPa

qu=318.27+(1+1/1.5)(2*108*1.1/1.00)+0.00-16.8(1.1)<717.98
qu=695.8 kPa<717.98kPa
qu=695.8kPa qall=qu/FS=695.8/3=231.93kPa

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Example 2: Layer Soil
GS

1.5 m Backfill soil, t=18kN/m3 f’=40 o

6.0 m
Cu=48kPa, fu=0.0
sat=16.2kN/m3

1) Determine allowable bearing capacity for original soil if FS=3,

if the width of square footing is 2.0 m .
Sol.
The original footing assumes to be 2.0 m in a depth of 1.5 m in the soft clay
fu=0.0, Nc=5.14, Nq=1.00, N=0.0

No inclination Fci=Fqi=Fi

Shape Factors

Fcs=1+(2.0/2.0)(1.0/5.14)=1.195
Fqs=1+(2/2)tan0.0=1.00
Fs=1-0.4*(2/2)=0.60

Fcd=1+0.4(1.5/2.0)=1.30, Fqd=1.0

qu=(50)(5.14)(1.195)(1.30)(1.00)+(18*1.5)(1)(1)(1)(1)+0=426.25kPa

qu=426.25kPa qall=426.25/3=142.0kPa

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 what is the new allowable bearing capacity for the footing

GS

1.5 m Backfill soil, t=18kN/m3 f’=40 o

1.0 m Silty gravel, base course c’=5kPa and f’=35o =20kN/m3

Cu=48kPa, fu=0.0
5m
sat=16.2kN/m3

-2-If soil replacement is used

H=1.0 <B=2.0m footing in layer soil (note compare with 2B)

qb=same as before without depth factor

C=Cu=50kPa;
Shape Factors

Fcs=1+(2.0/2.0)(1.0/5.14)=1.195
Fqs=1+(1/1.5)tan0.0=1.00 Fs=1-0.4*(2/2)=0.60
qb=(50)(5.14)(1.195)+(f*Df+1H)(1)(1)(1)(1)+0
qb=(50)(5.14)(1.195)+(18*1.5+20.0*1.0)(1)(1)(1)(1)+0
qb=354.12kPa

c’=5kPa, f’=35o. =20kPa

f’=35o Nc=46.12 Nq=33.3 N=48.03

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Shape Factors

Fcs=1+(2/2)(33.3/46.12)=1.722
Fqs=1+(2/2)tan35=1.700
Fs=1-0.4(2/2)=0.600

qt=(5)(46.12)(1.722)+18(1.5)(33.3)(1.70)+0.5(20.)(2.0)(48.03)(0.6)
=2502 kPa

q1=(5)(46.12)+0.5*20*2.0*48.03=1191.2kPa

q2=50(5.14)+0=257.0 kPa
q2/q1=257/1191.2=0.216

ca/c1=0.78 ca=0.78*5=3.90 kPa

ks=3.5

qu=354.12+(1+2/2)(2*3.9*1/2)+18
(1)2(1+2/2)(1+2*1.5/1)(3.5*tan35/
2.0)-18*1<2502
qu=520.4kPa<2502kPa then qu=454.2kPa
qall=520.4/3=173.46kPa

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 Bearing Capacity From SPT

• Two Ways:
1. Using the correlation to find f’and using the
general bearing capacity equation
2. Using the following chart (for surface footing),
Note here the settlement must be specified

Bearing Capacity From SPT

Allowable
bearing capacity
for surface-
loaded footings
with settlement
limited to
approximately 25
mm.

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 Bearing Capacity From SPT
Sa
qnet ( all )  19.16 N 60 Fd ( ) For B≤1.22 m
25.4
3.28 B  1 2 S
qnet ( all )  11.98 N 60 ( ) Fd ( a ) For B≥1.22 m
3.28 B 25.4

Where
qnet(all)= qall-Df kN/m2
Sa: tolerable settlement in mm
Fd=depth factor=1+0.33(Df/B)≤1.33

Bearing Capacity Using The Cone Penetration Test (CPT)

qc
qnet ( all )  ( ) For B≤1.22 m
15
qc 3.28 B  1 2
q net ( all )  ( )( ) For B≥1.22 m
25 3.28 B
Where
qnet(all)= qall-Df kN/m2

Example

17
The Bearing Capacity
of
Mat Foundations

18
 Compensation Mat Foundation

example
• Determine the net ultimate bearing capacity of a small mat
foundation for an electrical vault with the following design
parameters, B is 30 feet, L is 45 feet, the undrained cohesion
cu is 1950 lb/ft2, = 0°, and the depth of the mat’s invert is 6.5
feet.

19
 example
• Determine the net allowable bearing capacity for a
mat foundation with B = 15 m, L = 10 m, the SPT
corrected N =10, the depth of the mat invert is at 2 m,
with a settlement limited to 30 mm, and f = 0.

Bearing Capacity for Field Load Tests

20
Bearing Capacity Based On Building Codes
(Presumptive Pressure)

Safety Factors In Foundation Design

There are more uncertainties in determining the

allowable strength of the soil than in the superstructure
elements. These may be summarized as follows:
• Complexity of soil behavior
• Lack of control over environmental changes after
construction
• Incomplete knowledge of subsurface conditions
• Inability to develop a good mathematical model for the
foundation
• Inability to determine the soil parameters accurately

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 Safety Factors In Foundation Design
These uncertainties and resulting approximations have to be
evaluated for each site and a suitable safety factor directly (or
indirectly) assigned that is not overly conservative but that takes
into account at least the following:

1. Magnitude of damages (loss of life, property damage, and

lawsuits) if a failure results
2. Relative cost of increasing or decreasing SF
3. Relative change in probability of failure by changing SF
4. Reliability of soil data
5. Changes in soil properties from construction operations, and
later from any other causes
6. Accuracy of currently used design/analysis methods

Safety Factors Usually Used

• Values of stability numbers (or safety factors) usually used
• It is customary to use overall safety factors on the order of
those shown in Table. Shear should be interpreted as bearing
capacity for footings.

22
 Bearing Capacity Of Rock

References
1. J. Bowles, “Foundation Analysis and
Design”, McGraw-Hill;
2. B. Das, “Principles of foundation
Engineering”, Thompson;
3. Coduto, “Foundations Design”, Prentice
Hall;

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