Abstract: For the checking of bearing capacity of foundation under eccentric loading, the method given by Meyerhof is first introduced，and validated for its accuracy through comparison with calculations by using the finite element upper and lower bound limit analysis method which can compute general limit loads accurately. The foundation soil considered can be either general c- soil under drained conditions or undrained cohesive soil with its undrained strength increasing linearly along depth. In particular, the influence of the footing embedment depth on the calculation accuracy is discussed according to the understanding of relevant mechanism，and the largest eccentricity below which the bearing capacity due to footing embedment depth can be taken fully into account is clarified. Thereafter, the checking method proposed in the Chinese design code is compared with the Meyerhof method through calculations by using the improved bearing capacity formulae given by the authors, which indicates that the latter method is more reasonable.

Key words: bearing capacity of foundation, eccentric loading, Meyerhof method, checking method