Metric Republic / Civil & structural engineering / Footing Bearing Pressure Calculator

Footing Bearing Pressure Calculator

Calculate average, maximum and minimum soil pressure under a rectangular footing with one-axis eccentricity.

Updated September 2026

How it works

Calculate average, maximum and minimum soil pressure under a rectangular footing with one-axis eccentricity.

Formula:
qavg = N/(B·L); e = M/N; qmax,min = qavg·(1 ± 6e/L).

Before you use the result: If e exceeds L/6, the simple full-contact formula is no longer applicable.

Practical use

Use verified material data and project geometry. Treat results as planning estimates and compare them with the energy/thermal requirements that apply to the project.

Keep units consistent with the source information.
Use project-specific densities, pack sizes and coverage rates where provided.
Round purchasing quantities to supplier packaging and delivery rules.

How to use this calculator: Footing Bearing Pressure Calculator

Calculate average, maximum and minimum soil pressure under a rectangular footing with one-axis eccentricity.

Quick workflow

Enter the project values from the latest drawing, specification or verified site measurement.
Check units, material properties, allowances and any code- or supplier-specific parameters before calculating.
Review the result together with the formula, assumptions and the related checks shown on this page.

Worked example

Example inputs: Vertical service load N [kN]: 650; Service moment M [kNm]: 80; Footing width B [m]: 2.2; Footing length L [m]: 2.6.

Using the sample values built into the calculator, the calculation gives approximately: Average bearing pressure: 113.6 kPa; Eccentricity: 0.123 m; Maximum bearing pressure: 145.9 kPa.

What the result means

Calculation method: qavg = N/(B·L); e = M/N; qmax,min = qavg·(1 ± 6e/L).

Before using the result: If e exceeds L/6, the simple full-contact formula is no longer applicable.

Common questions

What does this calculator do?

Calculate average, maximum and minimum soil pressure under a rectangular footing with one-axis eccentricity.

Which inputs should I verify?

Key inputs to verify include: Vertical service load N [kN], Service moment M [kNm], Footing width B [m], Footing length L [m].

Can I use this result for final design or ordering?

Use the result as a transparent planning or checking aid. Final design, code compliance, supplier selection and project-specific decisions still need to be verified where applicable. If e exceeds L/6, the simple full-contact formula is no longer applicable.

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