This Bearing Capacity spreadsheet from 3D-LABS follows IS 6403 and gives instant, checkable results for practising engineers — no manual derivation required.
This spreadsheet calculates the ultimate and allowable bearing capacity of shallow foundations using Terzaghi’s (1943), Meyerhof’s (1963), and Vesic’s (1973) methods — the three standard bearing capacity theories referenced in IS 6403:1981, AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications (9th Ed.), and Eurocode 7 Part 1 (EC7, EN 1997-1:2004).
What standard does this calculation follow?
IS 6403:1981 (Code of Practice for Determination of Bearing Capacity of Shallow Foundations), Eurocode 7 EN 1997-1:2004 Annex D (Analytical method for bearing resistance), AASHTO LRFD 9th Ed. Section 10.6.3.1.2a, and Terzaghi (1943), Meyerhof (1963), and Vesic (1973) bearing capacity theories.
What formula is used?
General Meyerhof/Vesic formula: qu = c × Nc × sc × dc × ic + q × Nq × sq × dq × iq + 0.5 × γ × B × Nγ × sγ × dγ × iγ, where Nc, Nq, Nγ = bearing capacity factors (Nq = e^πtanφ × tan²(45+φ/2); Nc = (Nq-1)cotφ; Nγ = 2(Nq+1)tanφ), sc/sq/sγ = shape factors, dc/dq/dγ = depth factors, ic/iq/iγ = inclination factors.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Terzaghi, Meyerhof, and Vesic bearing capacity methods?
Terzaghi (1943): valid only for general shear failure, strip/square/circular footings, vertical concentric load, no inclined load. Meyerhof (1963): adds shape, depth, and inclination factors — applicable to rectangular footings under inclined and eccentric loads. Vesic (1973): revises Meyerhof’s Nγ factor and depth/shape factors; is the method adopted in Eurocode 7 Annex D and AASHTO LRFD 9th Ed.
What factor of safety is required for bearing capacity per IS 6403?
IS 6403:1981 recommends a minimum factor of safety FOS = 3.0 on ultimate bearing capacity for calculating allowable bearing pressure: qa = qu/3 + γDf. For temporary loading conditions, FOS = 2.5 is acceptable. The EC7 approach uses partial material factors (γφ = 1.25 for drained, γcu = 1.40 for undrained) in the GEO ultimate limit state.
What inputs does this bearing capacity spreadsheet require?
Required: footing width B (m), length L (m), embedment depth Df (m), cohesion c (kPa), friction angle φ (degrees), unit weight γ (kN/m³), water table depth Dw (m), foundation load components (vertical V, horizontal H, moment M in kN and kNm), and load inclination angle α (degrees).
What’s Included
An instant Excel download with the complete formula set, a worked numerical example, and reference to the governing standard — ready to adapt to your own project inputs.
