ABSTRACT
The shortcomings of conventional bearing capacity analyses based on Brinch Hansen’s well-known equation (i.e the need for the fundamental ‘centre-line load’ capacity to be modified by empirical multiplication factors for each of its terms to allow for footing shape, load inclination, eccentricity and so on), led to a proposal (Butterfield & Ticof 1979; Butterfield 1980) that a better solution might be possible using the concept of an interaction diagram – a well-established procedure in structural engineering.
