Question

The parameters Nc, Nq, Nγ in the equations of bearing capacity failure are known as _________

(a) Constant head

(b) Bearing capacity factors

(c) Effective pressure

(d) Load intensity

The question was posed to me in exam.

My doubt stems from Terzaghi’s Analysis topic in section Bearing Capacity of Geotechnical Engineering II

Answer 1

The correct choice is (b) Bearing capacity factors

To explain I would say: The parameters Nc, Nq, Nγ are the dimensionless numbers, known as bearing capacity factors depending only on the angle of shearing resistance of the soil.