Terzaghi's Bearing-Capacity Equations
 

Terzaghi's Bearing-Capacity Equations

   
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These equations are for shallow footings, where D <= B

The spreadsheet is based on Chapter 4-3 of Foundation Analysis and Design, Ed. 5 by Joseph E. Bowles (permission granted).

The equations are:
q-ult = c*Nc*s-c + q-bar*Nq + 0.5*gamma*B*Ngam*s-gam
where:
c = soil cohesion in kPa
Nc = cohesion multiplier = (Nq - 1)*cot(PHI)
s-c = shape factor for cohesion
q-bar = overburden pressure in kPa = gamma*D where D = depth to base in m
Nq = overburden multiplier = a^2/(2*cos^2(45+PHI/2))
where a = e^((0.75*PI - PHI/2)*tan(PHI)) and
PHI = angle of internal friction in radians (entered in degrees)
gamma = unit weight of soil in kN/m3
B = least lateral base dimension in m
Ngam = wedge weight multiplier = (tan(PHI)/2)*(Kpy/cos^2(PHI) - 1)
where Kpy is taken from Table 4-2 as follows:

PHI  0    5    10    15    20    25    30    35    40    45
Kpy 10.8 12.2 14.7  18.6  25.0  35.0  52.0  82.0 141.0 298.0

s-gam = shape factor for soil wedge.
Input values are obtained from tests of soil samples.

You should do at least one calculation manually, for two reasons:
1. to check the spreadsheet so you can have confidence in its results; and
2. to appreciate how much time the spreadsheet saves.

Please support the ongoing maintenance of this site. Donate $7 and I shall send you the Excel spreadsheet so you can satisfy yourself that the program uses the equations correctly.

The Terzaghi Bearing-Capacity Equation
   
Given:  
unit weight of soil, gamma     kN/m3
angle of internal friction, PHI     degrees
cohesion of soil, c     kPa
depth of base, D     m
least lateral base dimension, B     m
required safety factor, SF      
select type of footing    
Then:    
shape factor for cohesion, s-c    
shape factor for soil, s-gam    
effective overburden pressure, q-bar     kPa
coefficient a      
coefficient Kpy      
overburden multiplier, Nq      
cohesion multiplier, Nc      
wedge weight multiplier, Ngam      
ultimate bearing capacity, q-ult     kPa
safe bearing capacity     kPa


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For just $7, you can download the spreadsheet to see the formulas and have the convenience of running the program in Excel. As a responsible engineer, you'll want to check the calculations. For just $7, you can download the spreadsheet to see the formulas and have the convenience of running the program in Excel. $7 helps to support the site. Download the spreadsheet to see the formulas and have the convenience of running the program in Excel. $7 helps to support the site. Download the spreadsheet to see the formulas and have the convenience of running the program in Excel. As a responsible engineer, you'll want to check the calculations.

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