Master the Bearing Capacity (Resistance) — From First Principles to Final Report

Welcome to the first course in our “Geotechnical Engineering – From Theory to Practice Series”. We are starting with the most common topic in geotechnical engineering "Module (1) Bearing Capacity (Resistance) from Theory to Practice." In the field of geotechnical engineering, understanding and accurately determining the bearing capacity of soils and foundations is paramount. Bearing capacity is the ability of soil to support the loads applied to the ground, and it is a critical factor in the design and safety of any structure. The proper evaluation of bearing capacity ensures that foundations are both safe and efficient.

Despite its importance, many engineers often overlook crucial aspects of bearing capacity calculations. This negligence can lead to significant problems in real-life projects, including structural failures and increased project costs. Bearing capacity is not a single, uniform value for all footings on a site; it varies depending on the specific location, footing size, shape, depth, soil conditions, and the applied loads. However, a common mistake is to provide a single, generic bearing capacity value for an entire site, disregarding these critical variations.

In this course, you will explore the comprehensive process of determining bearing capacity from both theoretical and practical perspectives. We will cover essential topics such as different failure modes, the impact of groundwater tables, and the effects of eccentric forces and slopes. You'll learn how to use data from standard penetration tests (SPT) and cone penetration tests (CPT) to make more accurate assessments. Additionally, we'll discuss special cases like footings on slopes, two-layer soil systems, and closely spaced footings, and how to account for them in your calculations.

Our goal is to equip you with the knowledge and skills to perform thorough and precise bearing capacity evaluations, ensuring the safety and success of your projects. By the end of this course, you'll be able to confidently tackle real-world challenges in foundation design and contribute to the integrity and reliability of the structures you work on.

Course Format

• Four Weeks of Weekly Learning

  Each week, new content will be unlocked — including short video lectures, practical guides, and applied assignments. This structured pace helps you stay focused and build your understanding step by step.

• Continued Access After Week 4

  After the initial 4-week learning period, you will still have access to all course videos for one year. However, please note that new Rounds may begin for other students, which could temporarily limit your access to specific videos scheduled for later weeks.

• Video Access Duration

  You can continue to access the course videos for a maximum of one year

• Certificate of Completion

  You can request your certificate at any time by submitting your course assignment via email to:
  info@thegeotechnicals.com
  Once reviewed, your certificate will be issued via email within a few business days.

What Makes This Course Different

This isn’t just a “watch me explaining the bearing capacity theory” course.

You’ll start with the theory, build calculations by hand, then learn how to implement and interpret those results in your own bearing capacity excel sheet — just like you would in a real design office.

Every lesson is anchored in realistic geotechnical conditions, and every assignment challenges you to apply what you’ve learned with professional accuracy.

Included With Your Enrollment

• Online access to the course videos for on year.

• Realistic assignments with guided solutions

• Certificate of Completion

• Chat and book appointments with the course instructor

Access Policy

Your enrollment includes:

• 4 weeks of full learning access (content released weekly)

• 4 additional weeks to review and wrap up

• One year access to the course videos.

Who This is For

• Civil engineers looking to specialize in geotechnical aspects of construction projects.

• Engineering students aspiring to build a career in geotechnical engineering.

• Geotechnical engineers seeking to deepen their knowledge and practical skills in deep foundation design.

• Geology graduates who are involved in geotechnical engineering work and would like to learn about geotechnical engineering.

• Site geotechnical engineers who are willing to move and expand their horizons in geotechnical engineering design.

• Practicing professionals aiming to stay updated with the latest industry standards and methodologies.

• Consultants and contractors involved in foundation design and construction.

 Course Objectives

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

1-      Understand the fundamental concepts of bearing capacity and the three primary failure modes.

2-      Apply general bearing capacity equations to various soil conditions and foundation types.

3-      Differentiate between drained and undrained conditions and their impact on bearing capacity.

4-      Assess the influence of groundwater tables (GWT) and eccentric forces on foundation stability.

5-      Analyze special cases such as footings on slopes, two-layer systems, and closely spaced footings.

6-      Utilize standard penetration tests (SPT) and cone penetration tests (CPT) data for bearing capacity evaluation.

7-      Determine allowable and factored bearing capacities for safe and efficient foundation design.

8-      Evaluate horizontal resistance and bearing capacity on rock.

9-      Reference typical bearing capacity values for different soil types.

10-  Integrate the bearing capacity principles into the geotechnical structure design cycle.