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Average pad bearing pressure

Concentric vertical load divided by plan area. Eccentricity and groundwater are ignored.

Vertical load (kN)

Breadth B (m)

Length L (m)

CalculateReset

Method

q = N / (B L). Worked case: 400 kN on 1.5 m by 1.5 m is 178 kN/m² average.

BS EN 1997 bearing resistance, settlement and sliding are not checked. See why this is not a foundation design.

Last checked 2 October 2026. A scenario, not a design. See methodology, standards and the disclaimer.