Bearing Capacity Spreadsheet: A Practical Guide for Engineers
Explore how a bearing capacity spreadsheet estimates soil support for foundations. Learn inputs, simple formulas, interpretation, and practical steps for safer, economical design.
What is a bearing capacity spreadsheet?
According to Load Capacity, a bearing capacity spreadsheet is a structured calculation sheet used to estimate the ultimate vertical load a soil can safely bear under a footing. It blends a few fundamental soil properties—cohesion, overburden pressure, and unit weight—into a single result that helps engineers assess foundation viability during early design or feasibility studies. The bearing capacity spreadsheet format supports quick iterations, sensitivity checks, and documentation of assumptions, which is essential for communicating design intent to clients and stakeholders. While a bearing capacity spreadsheet is a powerful educational tool, it should never replace site-specific geotechnical testing or code-compliant design checks. In practice, the spreadsheet supports engineers in exploring “what-if” scenarios and preparing safer, more economical foundations while planning for field verification.
Key takeaway: use the bearing capacity spreadsheet to learn how soil properties interact with footing geometry and to frame discussions with geotechnical teams.
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