Abstract：In engineering practice，the limit bearing capacity of foundations is usually estimated using the superposed formulae suggested by K. Terzaghi. As it is used for strip footing embedded in homogeneous subsoil，the bearing capacity factors and the pertaining embedment modifying factors must be determined. Many published papers have used limit equilibrium method，slip-line method and upper bound method to investigate these factors. However，the predicted bearing capacity is affected by the assumed failure mode，which will lead to bigger discrepancies in the value of these factors obtained by different investigators. Conversely，the finite element method can predict more accurately bearing capacity without assuming failure mode in advance. An elastoplastic numerical model for embedded strip foundation is established by introducing zero-thickness interface element to remove the computational difficulty of the footing corner in finite element analysis and simulate the contact between subsoil and footing. A numerous numerical analysis for three types of subsoil，i.e. undrained clay，sand and the soil with nonzero cohesion and frictional angle，is executed to obtain the bearing capacity factors and embedment modifying factors. These factors are presented and compared with published results. Some rules of these factors varying with roughness of footing sides，embedment，surcharge load，soil strength are summarized and the applicability of these factors is also determined. These results can provide references to foundation design.
