Question

The ultimate bearing capacity and the net ultimate capacity are connected by the relation ____________

(a) qf = qnf +/- σ̅ and qf = qf – σ̅

(b) qf = qnf – σ̅

(c) None of the mentioned

(d) All of the mentioned

I have been asked this question in an international level competition.

This is a very interesting question from Minimum Depth of Foundation: Rankine’s Analysis topic in chapter Bearing Capacity of Geotechnical Engineering II

Answer 1

Right choice is (a) qf = qnf +/- σ̅ and qf = qf – σ̅

Explanation: The ultimate bearing capacity qf and the net ultimate capacity are connected by the following relation:

qf = qnf + σ̅ (or) qf = qf – σ̅

where σ̅ is the effective surcharge at the base level of the foundation.