This page is not intended to be a substitute for professional geotechnical advice and should not be relied on as geotechnical advice by individuals or other professionals to make site-specific decisions. Always seek advice from a professional geotechnical engineer.
What is the bearing capacity of soil?
The term “end bearing capacity” or simply “bearing capacity” refers to the soil’s ability to sustain vertical loads. This capacity is determined by various factors such as the soil type, strength, footing geometry, groundwater level, overburden, and density. It is worth noting that deeper foundations tend to have a greater bearing capacity.
In situations where the soil’s capacity is inadequate, the load may be distributed over a wider area, or the soil itself may be improved to increase its bearing capacity. This is necessary as the acceptable stress level is always lower than the bearing capacity.
What is lateral bearing capacity?
The lateral bearing capacity pertains to the maximum horizontal pressure that can be sustained by the soil surface, where the shear failure mechanism is activate within the supporting soil. In other words, it denotes the highest load that the soil can support prior to collapsing or yielding. In other words, it denotes the highest load that the soil can support prior to collapsing or yielding.
What is horizontal bearing capacity?
In assessing the capability of a platform, the ultimate horizontal capacity is determined by applying a horizontal load at the centre of gravity until the point of failure is reached. At this critical position, the translations or rotations of the deck experience a rapid increase. Accordingly, the extent of these translations and rotations of both the deck and the foundations serve as criteria for evaluating the platform’s ability.
