Definitions of Bearing

Capacities
Submitted by :
Harmanpreet Singh CO19221
Sandeep Singh CO19242
Tanish Madan CO19253
Introduction
1. A foundation is that part of a structure which transmits the weight of the structure to the
ground.
2. A foundation is, therefore, a connecting link between the structure proper and the ground
which supports it.
3. The foundation should be designed such that the soil below does not fail in shear and the
settlement is within the safe limits.
4. According to Terzaghi's criterion, foundations may be broadly classified into two categories:
(1) Shallow foundations (2) Deep foundations.
5. A foundation is termed shallow if it is laid at a depth equal to or less than its width.
Basic Definitions
Gross pressure(qg) – It is the amount of total pressure acting at the base of the footing
including the self weight of soil, footing and the applied load.
Net pressure(qng) – It is the part of gross pressure which is acting in excess to the initial
overburden pressure. qng =qg - γDf
1. Ultimate Bearing Capacity (qu) - The ultimate bearing capacity is the maximum
gross pressure at the base of the foundation at which the soil fails in shear.
2. Net Ultimate Bearing Capacity (qnu) - It is the maximum net pressure at the base of
foundation that causes shear failure of the soil. It is equal to the gross pressure minus
overburden pressure.
Thus qnu = qu – γDf
◦ qu = ultimate bearing capacity(gross)
◦ γ = unit weight of foundation soil
◦ Df = depth of foundation
◦ It may be noted that the overburden pressure equal to γDf, existed even before the construction of
foundation.
3. Net Safe Bearing Capacity (qns) - It is the net soil pressure which can be safely

applied to the soil considering only shear failure. It is obtained by dividing the net
ultimate bearing capacity by a suitable factor of safety.

Thus qns = qnu/F

where F= factor of safety, which is usually taken as 3.0

4. Gross Safe Bearing Capacity (qs) - It is the maximum gross pressure which
the soil can carry safely without shear failure. It is equal to the net safe bearing
capacity plus the original overburden pressure.

Thus qs = qns + γDf

qs= qnu/F + γDf ________(1)
The gross safe bearing capacity (qs) can be defined as the ultimate bearing capacity
divided by a factor of safety (F); that is

qs = qu/F = (qnu + γDf)/F = qnu /F + γDf/F

◦ As he added strength due to γDf is available in full, it does not seem logical to
apply a factor of safety to this term. Therefore it more rational to use the eqn (1).
 Settlement Criterion
1. Allowable Pressure – It is the amount of gross pressure that can be applied with settlement
without failure. (Settlement should not be more than given in IS Code)

2. Net allowable pressure – It is the amount of net pressure that can be applied at the base of
the footing without settlement failure.
5. Net Safe Settlement Pressure (qnp) - It is the net pressure which the soil can carry without
exceeding the allowable settlement. The maximum allowable settlement generally varies
between 25mm and 40mm for individual footings.
The net safe settlement pressure is also known as unit soil pressure or safe bearing pressure.

6. Net Allowable Bearing Pressure (qna) - The net allowable bearing pressure is the net bearing
pressure which can be used for the design of foundations.
As the requirements for the design of foundation are that there should be no shearing failure
and more-over the settlements should also be within the limits, the allowable bearing pressure
is the smaller of the net safe bearing capacity (qns) and the net safe settlement pressure (qnp).
Thus qna = qns if qnp > qns or
qna =qnp if qns > qnp
The net allowable bearing pressure is also known as the allowable soil pressure or
allowable bearing pressure or allowable bearing capacity.
7. Allowable Bearing Capacity : The allowable bearing capacity shall be taken as either of the
following, whichever is less:

a) Net ultimate bearing capacity as obtained divided by suitable factor of safety, that is net safe
bearing capacity.

b) The net soil pressure that can be imposed on the base without the settlement exceeding the
permissible values as given in IS code to be determined for each structure and type of soil, that
is, safe bearing pressure.
Suitable Depth for Shallow
Foundations
Sno. Foundation Suitable Depth
1. Shallow Foundation Up to 1.5 m
2. Strip/Wall Footing More than 0.5 m
3. Isolated footing Up to 1.5 m
4. Combined footing Less than 0.75m
5. Strap footing Up to 0.6 m
6. Mat/Raft foundation Up to 0.5 m