The Vesic theory is an Indian Standard code used for determining the bearing capacity of
shallow foundations.
The ultimate bearing capacity (qₙᵤ) is a function of the angle of internal friction (ϕ).
For General Shear(ϕ >36°)
Net ultimate bearing capacity equation is
'
q nu=c N c Sc i c d c +q ( N q−1 ) S q d q i q +0.5 B N γ d γ i γ W … (4.3)
For Local Shear(ϕ < 28°)
Net ultimate bearing capacity equation is
2 '
q nu= c N c ' Sc i c d c +q ( N q '−1 ) S q d q i q +0.5 B N γ ' d γ i γ W … (4.4)
3
For 28°> ϕ >36° under Mixed Shear conditions.
Bearing Capacity Factors N q ” , N 'c' , N 'γ' should be used.
where,
qnu = Net Ultimate Bearing Capacity.
q = Surcharge.
B = Width of the footing.
W’ = Water Correction Factor.
Nq, Nc, Ng = Bearing Capacity Factors.
Sq, Sc, Sg = Shape Factors.
dq, dc, dg = Depth Factors.
1. Considering the Input Parameters.
B = Width of the footing.
D = Depth of the footing.
L = Length of the footing.
f = Angle of Internal Friction(degrees).
c = Cohesion of the soil(kPa).
g = Density of the soil (kN/m3).
2. Determine the Bearing Capacity Factors.
Bearing Capacity Factors varies based on the f .
'
N 'q =K p e πtanΦ
[ ]
'
N q−N q ' −1
N q =K p e
πtanΦ
N q ”=N +
'
q [ 30−28 ] N c =( N q ' −1 ) × tan Φ '
36−28
N c =( N q−1 ) × cot∅
''
N c =N c +
'
[ 36−28 ]
N c −N c '
×(30−28)
' ' '
N γ =2( N q +1)× tan ∅
N γ =2 ( N q +1 ) × tan ∅
'' '
N γ =N γ + [ N γ−N γ '
( 36−28 ) ]
×(30−28)
The condition where the f is < 28 then it is known as Local Shear.
' ' '
N q , N c , N γ are used.
The condition where the f is >36 then it is known as General Shear.
N q , N c , N γare used.
The condition where the f is between 28 and 36 then it is known as Mixed Shear.
N q ” , N 'c' , N 'γ' are used.
3. Determine the Shape Factors.
Shape Factors are used based on the footing shape according to Vesic Method.
B B '
Sc =1+0.2 K p Sq =1+ tan ∅
L L
B
Sγ =1−0. 4
L
where,
B = Width of the footing.
L = Length of the footing
K p=tan2 45+ ( Φ
2 )
4. Determine the Depth Factors.
Depth factors d c , d q , and d γ account for the increase in bearing capacity with foundation
depth Df due to soil confinement.
D
d c =1+0. 4
B
d q =1+2 tan ∅ ¿ ¿
d γ =1 where,
D = Depth of footing.
B = Width of footing.
5. Determine the Net Ultimate Bearing Capacity (qnu)
The ultimate bearing capacity (qₙᵤ) is a function of the angle of internal friction (ϕ).
For General Shear(ϕ > 36°)
Net ultimate bearing capacity equation is
'
q nu=c N c Sc i c d c +q ( N q−1 ) S q d q i q +0.5 B N γ d γ i γ W
For Local Shear(ϕ < 28°)
Net ultimate bearing capacity equation is
2 '
q nu= c N c ' Sc i c d c +q ( N q '−1 ) S q d q i q +0.5 B N γ ' d γ i γ W
3
6. Determine the Net Safe Bearing Capacity(qnsbc)
q nu
q nsbc=
3
Where,
qnsbc = Net Safe Bearing Capacity
qnu = Net Ultimate Bearing Capacity
Factor of Safety =3
MODAL CALCULATIONS
Input Parameters
Width of the footing (B) =0.5m
Depth of the footing (Df)= 1m
Cohesion (c) = 50kPa
ngle of Internal Friction = 5°
Length of the footing (L) = 1m
Density of soil (= 18kN/m3
π
To convert the into radians radians = x
180
π
radians = x
180
=0.09 radians.
' tan−1 [0.67 tan ( 0.09 ) ]
= 0.059
Depth Factors
D
d c =1+0.4
B
1
¿ 1+0.4 = 1.80
0.5
dq = 1+2 tan ∅ ¿¿
= 1+2 tan(0.059)¿ ¿
= 1.21
dγ = 1
Shape Factors
The shape factor is based on the shape of footing, hence the footing is rectangular the
shape factors are as follows.
B
Sc =1+0.2 K
L p
K p=tan2 45+ ( Φ
2 ) 2
¿ tan (45+
0.059
2
) = 1.12
0.5
Sc =1+0.2 1.12 Sc =53.64
1
B '
Sq =1+ tan ∅
L
0.5
¿ 1+ ( 0.059 )
1
= 1.05
B
Sγ =1−0.4
L
0.5
¿ 1−0.4
1
¿ 0. 7
Bearing Capacity Factors
'
N 'q =K p e πtanΦ
= 1.19 e π tan (0.059 )
= 1.35
πtanΦ
N q =K p e
=1.19 e π tan (0.09)
= 1.57
' '
N c =( N q ' −1 ) × A tan ∅
¿ ( 1.35−1 ) × A tan 0.059 = 0.02
' ' '
N γ =2( N q +1)× tan ∅
¿ 2(1.35+1)× tan(0.059)
'
N γ =0. 28
Water Correction Factor W’ =1
Substituting the values in Eq (4.3)
2 '
q nu= c N c ' Sc d c i c +q ( N q '−1 ) S q d q i q +0.5 B N γ ' S γ d γ i γ W
3
=
2
x 50 x 0.02 x 53.64 x 1. 80 x 1+18 ( 1.35−1 ) x 1.05 x 1.21× 1+ 0.5 x 18 x 0.5 x 0.0 28 x 0.7 x 1 ×1 ×1
3
= 75.25 kN/m2
q nu
q nsbc=
3
75.25
=
3
= 25.08 kN/m2
The Net Safe Bearing Capacity of the soil = 25.08 kN/m2