This article proposes a method for determining the nonlinear settlements of the foundation, based on the method of layer-by-layer summation, which allows to determine the settlement of the foundation until the base bearing capacity is exhausted, taking into account the heterogeneity of the geological structure of the soil massif and the presence of weak underlying layers of soil. The recommended equation for determining the coefficient ks is given, which allows you to approximate almost any curve of the dependence of settlement on pressure, taking into account the properties of the soil base, size, shape and depth of the foundation. It carried out a comparative analysis of the proposed method with the results obtained experimentally and other calculating methods.