Payam Majedi - Ph.D. Candidate, Engineering Faculty, Ataturk University, Erzurum, TURKEY.
Semet Çelik - Lecturer Dr., Engineering Faculty, Ataturk University, Erzurum, TURKEY.
Suat Akbulut - Professor. Dr., Civil Engineering Faculty, Yildiz Technical University, Istanbul, TURKEY.

Today, the use of numerical methods is of great importance when it comes to engineering calculations. The present study was an attempt to examine the effect of different parameters on bearing capacity of shallow foundations using FEM (finite elements method) and the Plaxis software. To investigate the soil behavior, Mohr-Coulomb behavioral model was employed, and the effect of different parameters such as the soil strength parameters (cohesion, internal friction angle), soil unit weight and foundation width on the bearing capacity of the foundation was explored. Findings of the study indicated that the ultimate bearing capacity depends on the strength parameters, soil unit weight, and foundation width, which is also independent of the deformation parameters

Shallow Foundation, Bearing Capacity, Plaxis, Failure Load, Mohr-Coulomb