Objective Question & Answer

Ultimate bearing capacity: Maximum pressure which a foundation soil can withstand without

the occurrence of shear failure.

Gross beaing capacity: The bearing capacity inclusive of the pressure exerted by the weight

of the foundation. 

Net bearing capacity: Gross bearing capacity minus the overburden pressure at the

foundation level. 

Safe bearing capacity: Ultimate bearing capacity divided by a factor of safety is called safe

bearing capacity. The factor of safety should be applied to the net ultimate bearing capacity,

and the overburden pressure due to the depth of foundation should be added to it to obtain

the safe capacity. It is thus the maximum pressure that can be transmitted to the soil without

the risk of shear failure, irrespective of the settlement that might occur.