CHCalcHandbook

Shallow Foundation Bearing Capacity — Terzaghi (1943)

Shallow Foundations · Terzaghi ·strip / square / circular · general & local shear · water-table correction
1

Footing and soil

Footing type, B, Df; c, φ, γ; groundwater; factor of safety
General shear failure (dense/stiff soil) is assumed. For loose sand or soft clay, switch on local shear: c′ = ⅔c, tan φ′ = ⅔ tan φ (Terzaghi's recommendation).
2

Bearing capacity

qu, qnet, allowable bearing capacity and footing load
3

Bearing capacity factors and terms

Nc, Nq, Nγ; surcharge q; water-table correction
Contribution of each term
4

Formulas and substitution

Calculation steps ready to paste into a report