Technical Guidance Note (Level 1, No. 19): Soil bearing capacity

One of the most common structural elements, these are normally found in residential properties, but also in medium-sized commercial developments. This note explains the principles behind their design and provides a worked example. In accordance with BS EN 1995-1-1 Eurocode 5: Design of Timber Structures – Part 1-1: General – Common rules and rules for buildings . Updated in October 2016.

Dead loads (permanent actions) are defined as the weight of static materials contained with a structure. This includes the self weight of the structure as well as the fixed materials it is supporting.

The twisting of elements within structures due to eccentric loading is best avoided. Such actions develop torsion forces - which the elements were not designed to withstand. This note shows structural engineers how to avoid problems that can lead to significant remedial works and/or failures.