ABSTRACT
The determination of bearing capacity of soil based on the classical earth pressure theory of Rankine (1857) began with Pauker, a Russian military engineer (1889), and was modified by Bell (1915). Pauker's theory was applicable only for sandy soils but the theory of Bell took into account cohesion also. Neither theory took into account the width of the foundation. Subsequent developments led to the modification of Bell's theory to include width of footing also.
