ABSTRACT

Bearing capacity is the maximum load applied on a foundation that causes shear failure to occur beneath a foundation. This paper looks into the Ultimate Bearing Capacity of soils along Sapele road Benin City, Edo state, a Metropolitan City in the south-south part of Nigeria. Samples were collected and tested. Tests such as soil moisture content, particle size analysis, atterberg limit, Bulk density determination test and Triaxial shear test were carried out using the collected soil samples. These soils were analyzed and the results shows that the soil collected from the site medium plasticity which is as a result of plastic limit ranging from 11.57% - 25.04, specific gravity values of 2.47 – 2.59, Cohesion value of 1.0 - 35.43  , the Terazaghi Bearing Capacity formula for Strip, Square and Circular footings were calculated using the British  standard units for footing width , . These soils were analyzed and the results shows that the soil collected from site according to the BS8004 soil classification are clays with fine sands because of the sieve analysis. Ultimate bearings capacities were calculated and later analyzed to determine which depth and footing is good for the erection of buildings on shallow foundation premises.