To determine _______________, total load is divided by safe bearing capacity of soil.

Explanation:

• Ultimate bearing capacity (q_u): The maximum applied gross pressure at the base of foundation without shear failure.
• Net ultimate bearing capacity (q_nu): Overburden pressure is neglected from the ultimate bearing capacity.

                            q_nu = q_u - γD_f 

• Ultimate gross bearing capacity (q_gross): Sum of ultimate net bearing capacity and the overburden pressure above the footing base.
• Net safe bearing capacity (q_ns): Net ultimate bearing capacity is divide by certain factor of safety.

                               q_u = $\frac{qnu}{FOS}$

FOS is the ratio of ultimate net bearing capacity to the allowable net bearing capacity.

• Safe bearing capacity (q_safe): It is provided the margin of safety against the foundation collapse from the shear failure. 

q_safe = $\frac{qnu}{FOS}$+ γD_f