An upper bound calculation on bearing capacity of a circular footing on a non-homogeneous clay.

ABSTRACT This note presents an upper bound calculation on bearing capacity factors for a circular footing on clay, of which strength increases linearly with depth. The results are compared with the values obtained by the slip line method as well as the equivalent values for square and strip footings. The values of the bearing capacity factor Nc obtained by the present analysis are found to be very close to those calculated by the slip line method, and also close to those for a square footing. It is confirmed that the shape factor of Nc decreases significantly with the increase of non-homogeneity of soils.