Question

The unit soil pressure or safe bearing pressure is also known as:
1. net allowable bearing pressure
2. net safe settlement pressure
3. net ultimate bearing pressure
4. gross safe bearing pressure

Answer 1

Correct Answer - Option 2 : net safe settlement pressure

Concepts:

The maximum pressure a soil can withstand without undergoing settlement in excess of the permissible value for the structure is called allowable bearing capacity or net safe bearing pressure or safe bearing pressure.

The maximum pressure a soil can withstand without the occurrence of shear failure is called ultimate bearing capacity of soil (q_u).

The net pressure at the base of foundation in excess of initial overburden pressure which a soil can withstand without shear failure called net ultimate bearing capacity.

Or

Q_nu = q_u­  - Overburden pressure(q)

When factor of safety is applied on the net ultimate bearing capacity, then it is called net safe bearing capacity (q_ns).

Safe bearing capacity: q_s = q_ns + Effective overburden pressure