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Bearing Capacity Factors for Shallow Foundations



Terzaghi Model An approximate solution to bearing capacity was defined as general shear failure using the Terzaghi model. The Terzaghi model is applicable to level strip footings placed on or near a level ground surface where foundation depth D is less than the minimum width B. Assumptions include use of a surface footing on soil at plastic equilibrium and a failure surface based on homogenous soil on a slip plane. Shear resistance of soil above the base of an embedded foundation is not included in the solution.

The Terzaghi bearing capacity factors N_c, N_q and N_Y for general shear are shown below.

Φ	Nq	Nc	NY
0	1.00	5.70	0.0
2	1.22	6.30	0.2
4	1.49	6.97	0.4
6	1.81	7.73	0.6
8	2.21	8.60	0.9
10	2.69	9.60	1.2
12	3.29	10.76	1.7
14	4.02	12.11	2.3
16	4.92	13.68	3.0
18	6.04	15.52	3.9
20	7.44	17.69	4.9
22	9.19	20.27	5.8
24	11.40	23.36	7.8
26	14.21	27.09	11.7
28	17.81	31.61	15.7
30	22.46	37.16	19.7
32	28.52	44.04	27.9
34	36.50	52.64	36.0
35	41.44	57.75	42.4
36	47.16	63.53	52.0
38	61.55	77.50	80.0
40	81.27	95.66	100.4
42	108.75	119.67	180.0
44	147.74	151.95	257.0
45	173.29	172.29	297.5
46	204.19	196.22	420.0
48	287.85	258.29	780.1
50	415.15	347.51	1153.2

The Terzaghi correction factors Z_c and Z_Y consider foundation shape only and are given below. Note that Z_q = 1.0

Factor	Strip	Square	Circular
Zc	1.0	1.3	1.3
ZY	1.0	0.8	0.6

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