ABSTRACT

The Brinch Hansen (1970) method included bearing capacity factors Nc and Nq that were the same as those recommended by Meyerhof (1951) and Vesic (1975). The Nγ factor was approximated by an empirical relationship Nγ = 1.5 (Nq − 1) tanφ′. Values of φ′ used for the derivation of Nc and Nq are based on plane strain conditions, φ′PS (rather than triaxial conditions, φ′TX), and it was suggested that φ′PS may be (conservatively) taken as 10% higher than φ′TX.