ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the bearing capacity of shallow foundations. There are numerous methods for determination of the bearing capacity of shallow foundations that can be further grouped into four basic approaches as theoretical approach, in situ measurement, correlation with other soil parameters, and building codes. The minimum factor of safety for the design of shallow foundations is proposed by A. B. Vesic as a guide for permanent structures in reasonably homogeneous ground soil conditions. The chapter also discusses the use of plate-load tests for ultimate bearing capacity determination. Methods for ultimate bearing capacity analysis are presented in three parts, namely foundations on soils in general, foundations on cohesionless soils and foundations on highly cohesive soils. In Terzaghi's analysis of the ultimate bearing capacity of shallow foundations, it was recognized that local shear might occur in relatively loose soft soils below foundations.
