The ultimate bearing capacity is the minimum gross pressure:

Question-Answer:

The ultimate bearing capacity is 

• (a) the minimum net pressure intensity causing shear failure of soil
• (b) the minimum gross pressure at the lose of the foundation at which the soils fails in shear.
• (c) the difference in intensities of the gross pressure after the construction of the structure.
• (d) the total pressure at the base of the footing due to the weight of the superstructure
  

• (b) Ultimate bearing capacity is the minimum gross pressure intensity at the base of foundation at which the soil fails in shear.

• In other word Ultimate bearing capacity is the maximum gross pressure the soil can support without shear failure.

Question-Answer civil engineering study