If the water table beneath a shallow footing is lowered well below the influence zone, the bearing capacity generally:
Correct answer: B. Increases because the effective unit weight increases
- A. Decreases because cohesion becomes zero
- B. Increases because the effective unit weight increases
- C. Remains unchanged for every soil
- D. Becomes independent of footing width
Explanation
Lowering the water table reduces buoyant effects and increases the effective unit weight contributing to bearing resistance. The actual change depends on soil properties and the depth of the water table, so the other statements are too absolute.
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About Soil Mechanics and Foundations
Soil mechanics examines index properties, phase relationships, classification, permeability, seepage, compaction, consolidation, shear strength and earth pressure. Foundations apply these principles to bearing capacity, settlement and shallow or deep foundation selection, with clear distinction between compaction, which expels air, and consolidation, which expels water over time.
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