4. Bearing capacity of shallow foundations

4.1 Fundamentals of shallow foundation behavior

When a load is applied to a surface foundation, settlement is associated with it. By progressively increasing this loading, a behavior curve similar to that shown in figure 3 is obtained.

At the start of loading, behavior is more or less linear, with a proportionality between settlement and load. This zone, referred to in the figure 3 as the "elastic" domain, is the one in which settlements can be calculated according to the theories and formulations set out in the following...