ABSTRACT
The design of a foundation requires the knowledge of superstructure load, ground conditions, and soil–foundation interaction. Shallow foundations refer to those with an embedment depth equal to or less than four times the foundation width. This chapter discusses the application of the most suitable analytical methods for stability and deformation analysis of shallow foundations in soils. It introduces the theories of ultimate bearing capacity for strip foundations. The chapter explores the mechanisms and parameters involved in the determination of ultimate bearing capacity for shallow strip foundations. It presents the description of the methods to determine the ultimate bearing capacity for shallow foundations with finite dimensions such as circular or rectangular foundations. The chapter focuses on deformation or performance analysis and deals with elastic settlement analysis methods where the soil is assumed as linear elastic. It considers bearing capacity factors of foundations with either perfectly smooth or perfectly rough soil—foundation interfaces.
