The 'bearing capacity factors' Nc, Nq, Nγ in Terzaghi''s formula are functions of:
Choose the correct answer
Only soil cohesion c
Soil friction angle φ only — all three factors Nc, Nq, Nγ are uniquely determined by φ
Water table depth and soil density
Foundation depth and width
Correct Answer
B. Soil friction angle φ only — all three factors Nc, Nq, Nγ are uniquely determined by φ
Why is this the answer?
Terzaghi BC factors: Nc, Nq, Nγ = functions of soil friction angle φ only. Nq = e^(π×tanφ)×tan²(45+φ/2); Nc = (Nq-1)cotφ; Nγ = 2(Nq+1)tanφ (Meyerhof). For φ=0: Nq=1, Nc=5.14, Nγ=0 (pure clay, qu=5.14×Su). For φ=30°: Nq≈18, Nc≈30, Nγ≈22. BC increases rapidly with φ because Nq grows exponentially (e^π×tanφ).
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