The ultimate bearing capacity of shallow foundations is mostly based on the simplified idea that bearing layer is infinite and homogenous. However, in practice multilayered soils are mainly being used. Determination of reliable ultimate bearing capacity of foundation in multilayer soil stratum is required in the safety assessment and design analysis of a foundation structure. In present study, large number experimental, limit equilibrium, finite element analyses are performed. It has been found that a number of factors may influence bearing capacity of the soil, such as soil layer thickness, soil properties, applied stress, and type of design analysis which is not taken into consideration in the traditional bearing capacity theories. Such simplification causes structural design that is more conservative. In this study, ultimate bearing capacity of layered soil is investigated according to different conventional and recently developed techniques including finite element model, limit equilibrium methods, and experimental assessment. It is also found that the critical h / B point (first layer thickness to the foundation width) from analytical, numerical, and experimental methods are equal to 2.0, 2.5, and 1.5, respectively.
