ABSTRACT
This chapter addresses the limit state related to foundation collapse when the foundation is acted upon by a sufficiently large load. The load at which collapse happens is called the limit bearing capacity of the footing, and the equation used to calculate it is the bearing capacity equation. The bearing capacity equation in sands is written in terms of effective stresses, but, in clays, it is written in terms of total stresses. The limit bearing capacity of a footing increases with increasing foundation size, increasing embedment, and increasing friction angle or undrained shear strength. Strip footings and square, rectangular, or circular footings all have different bearing capacities.
