Bearing Capacity Vesic Calculator

Ultimate bearing capacity with Vesic (1973) shape and depth factors: qu = c*Nc*sc*dc + q*sq*dq + 0.5*gamma*B*Ngamma*sGamma, dGamma = 1. Factors Nq = exp(pi*tan(phi))*tan^2(45 + phi/2), Nc = (Nq - 1)*cot(phi), Ngamma = 2*(Nq + 1)*tan(phi) (Vesic convention). Shape factors sc = 1 + (B/L)*(Nq/Nc), sq = 1 + (B/L)*tan(phi), sGamma = 1 - 0.4*B/L; depth factors dq = 1 + 2*tan(phi)*(1 - sin(phi))^2*Df/B and dc = dq - (1 - dq)/(Nc*tan(phi)). c and q in kPa, gamma in kN/m3, lengths in m.

Description

Bearing Capacity Vesic Calculator: Ultimate bearing capacity with Vesic (1973) shape and depth factors: qu = c*Nc*sc*dc + q*sq*dq + 0.5*gamma*B*Ngamma*sGamma, dGamma = 1. Factors Nq = exp(pi*tan(phi))*tan^2(45 + phi/2), Nc = (Nq - 1)*cot(phi), Ngamma = 2*(Nq + 1)*tan(phi) (Vesic convention). Shape factors sc = 1 + (B/L)*(Nq/Nc), sq = 1 + (B/L)*tan(phi), sGamma = 1 - 0.4*B/L; depth factors dq = 1 + 2*tan(phi)*(1 - sin(phi))^2*Df/B and dc = dq - (1 - dq)/(Nc*tan(phi)). c and q in kPa, gamma in kN/m3, lengths in m.

When to use Bearing Capacity Vesic

Use this geological calculation for a transparent first-pass interpretation of measured rock, soil, fluid, well, stratigraphic, isotopic, geophysical, or seismic data under an explicitly selected model.

c: Soil cohesion c in kPa.
phi: Friction angle phi in degrees.
q: Effective surcharge q at footing base level in kPa.
gamma: Bulk unit weight gamma in kN/m3.
B: Footing width B in m.
L: Footing length L in m (must be at least B).
Df: Foundation embedment depth Df in m below ground surface.

How Bearing Capacity Vesic works

Nc: Bearing capacity factor Nc.
Nq: Bearing capacity factor Nq.
Ngamma: Third bearing capacity factor Ngamma (Vesic convention).
qu: Ultimate bearing capacity qu in kPa including shape and depth effects.

Limitations and assumptions

Geotechnical correlations and idealized failure models depend on stratigraphy, sampling disturbance, drainage, stress history, groundwater, density, anisotropy, scale, construction sequence, and laboratory or field method. Site-specific design requires investigation and code factors.
Use finite inputs in the displayed units and preserve more precision than the final presentation requires. Independently verify safety-critical, financial, compliance, or production decisions.

Alternative or Complementary approaches

Compare independent measurements and models, retain units and analytical metadata, propagate uncertainty, and validate interpretations against logs, cores, maps, laboratory data, or field observations.

References

Geotechnical engineering — Wikipedia contributors

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