Brinch Hansens Method

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Introduction

In geotechnical engineering, bearing capacity is the capacity of soil to support

the loads applied to the ground. The bearing capacity of soil is the maximum average
contact pressure between the foundation and the soil which should not produce shear failure
in the soil. Ultimate bearing capacity (qf) is the theoretical maximum pressure which can be
supported without failure; allowable bearing capacity (qa) is the ultimate bearing capacity
divided by a factor of safety. Sometimes, on soft soil sites, large settlements may occur under
loaded foundations without actual shear failure occurring; in such cases, the allowable
bearing capacity is based on the maximum allowable settlement.

A costly foundation failure is shown in the figure above.

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There are three modes of failure that limit bearing capacity: general shear failure, local shear
failure, and punching shear failure.

Other methods proposed for bearing capacity of shallow foundations are:

Terzaghi's bearing capacity method which is the earliest method proposed in 1943, and
Meyerhof's method (1951, 1963).

Concepts and Formulas

Brinch Hansen's bearing capacity theory:

Brinch Hansen (1970) provided equations to estimate limit bearing capacity for two
separate cases of strength parameters: (1) > 0, and (2) = 0 (undrained clay). In addition, for
each of these cases there are two separate subcases: (a) Either no horizontal component of
load or there is a horizontal component of load and it is in the direction of the width of the
footing only; or (b) there is a horizontal component of load in the direction of the length of
the footing, or in both directions (width and length of the footing). Equations to estimate limit
bearing capacity are provided in the following sections for each of these situations.

In all cases, the limit load that can be carried at the bearing level is given by the following
equation

QbL = qbL x Af

 In all equations given below involving B and L, if there is eccentricity at

the bearing elevation, use Beff in place of B and Leff in place of L, where Beff= B– 2eB,
and Leff= L– 2eL. In the unusual case where L– 2eL< B– 2eB, use Beff= L– 2eL and Leff= B– 2eB 

Case 1: > 0

Subcase a: No Qtr or Qtr,B only 

where 

q0 = effective stress at the bearing level for an effective stress analysis, and = total stress at
the bearing level for a total stress analysis

Nq = etan tan2(45+/2)

Nc = cot  ( Nq – 1)

N = (Nq-1) tan (1.4)

 
 

Subcase b: Qtr,L only, or Qtr,B and Qtr,L:

In this case you must check for qbL separately in the directions of the width and length of the
footing. Use qbL equal to the smaller of the two values.

Case 2: = 0

Subcase a: No Qtr or Qtr,B only 

where 

q0= total stress at the bearing level

where ca = adhesive stress acting on the base of footing, which is usually in the range of (0.5
to 1.0) Su.

For a rough base, use ca=Su.

 
Subcase b: Qtr,L only, or Qtr,B and Qtr,L:

In this case you must check for qbL separately in the directions of the width and length of the
footing. Use qbL equal to the smaller of the two values.