MODULE 3

geotechnical engineering
terzaghi's bearing capacity
• local shear failure:
1. Rectangular Footing
0.3𝐵 1 0.2𝐵
𝑞𝑢𝑙𝑡 = 𝑐′𝑁𝑐 ′(1 + ) + 𝑞𝑁𝑞 ′ + 𝛾𝐵𝑁𝛾 ′(1 − )
𝐿 2 𝐿

2. Square Footing

𝑞𝑢𝑙𝑡 = 1.3𝑐′𝑁𝑐 ′ + 𝑞𝑁𝑞 ′ + 0.4𝛾𝐵𝑁𝛾 ′

3. Strip Footing
1
𝑞𝑢𝑙𝑡 = 𝑐′𝑁𝑐 ′ + 𝑞𝑁𝑞 ′ + 𝛾𝐵𝑁𝛾 ′
2
4. Circular Footing

𝑞𝑢𝑙𝑡 = 1.3𝑐′𝑁𝑐 ′ + 𝑞𝑁𝑞 ′ + 0.3𝛾𝐵𝑁𝛾 ′

Where:

2
𝑐′ = 3 𝑐
2
tan ∅′ = tan ∅
3
𝑁𝑐′ , 𝑁𝑞 ′, 𝑁𝛾 ′ - are modified bearing
capacity factors which are obtained by
using the value of angle of friction ∅′

E1 For a certain soil the cohesion c is

50kN/m2, the unit weight is 19.2kN/m3.
Angle of internal friction is 10°

1. Assuming local shear failure,

calculate the net ultimate bearing
capacity in kPa for a strip footing
width = 1.25m at a depth = 4.5m;
2. Considering general shear failure,
calculate the safe bearing pressure
qs on a footing 6m long by 1.25m
wide, using a load factor 2.5;
3. Calculate the safe total load in kN of
the rectangular footing.