Bearing Capacity of Soil MCQ with answer and solution

Concept

Net ultimate bearing capacity of cohesive soil (φ = 0)

Formula

q_nu = c N_c (for φ = 0, Nq = 1, Nγ = 0)

Step-by-step solution

1. For φ = 0: Nq = 1 and Nγ = 0. 2. Net ultimate bearing capacity q_nu = q_u − γD = c Nc. 3. Nc is constant (5.7 for strip footing as per Terzaghi), so q_nu does not depend on B or D.

Explanation

For a purely cohesive soil with φ = 0, the net ultimate bearing capacity depends only on the cohesion and the shape factor. The width term (Nγ) disappears and the depth effect cancels with the overburden term.

Shortcut

φ = 0 → Nγ = 0 and Nq = 1 → net capacity = c Nc.

Common mistake

Thinking that depth always increases bearing capacity.