Bearing Pressure

Getting started ›› Data Input ››
Parent Previous Next

Data for Bearing Pressure and Subgrade Reaction Modulus Calculations:

1)Footing Depth definition - if you calculate for a specific footing, input data for footing depth definition 
De: Input the excavation depth, if any
Df: Input the footing depth, if any
T: Input the compacted fill thickness, if any

2)Compacted Fill properties - input parameters to define compacted fill materials. Default values representing a dense sand material are provided. 
γ: input unit weight of compacted fill
c: input cohesive strength of compacted fill
ϕ: input internal frictional angle of compacted fill in degrees
: input compression index in %
: input recompression index in %
Pc': input preconsolidation stress
M: input constrained modulus

3)Thickness of compacted fill below footing = Footing width: check it if this is your recommendation

4)Allowable settlement: input your allowable value

5)Method: select one of the two methods, Terzaghi (1943) and Vesic (1973) & Meyerhof (1963).

6)Footing shape: select one of the three footing shapes. For square footing, input L/B=1.

7)Factor of Safety: factor of safety for typical structures are provided for selection


Ultimate bearing capacities will be calculated based on the selected method and footing shape for various footing width determined based on the depth of soil profile.  A load - settlement relationship for each footing width is calculated internally.  The pressure corresponding to allowable settlement is then determined and compared with the value calculated based on factor of safety.  The allowable bearing pressure is the lower value.

Settlement is calculated based on the soil profile, soil compression properties, and selected method in Startup Options.

Groundwater depth defined in Startup Options is utilized to count the effects of water table.

Subgrade reaction modulus corresponding to allowable settlement is calculated and available for output.