A system of granular layers of varying stiffness with weak and consolidated clay layers was investigated. Both numerical and physical modeling were performed in well-specified boundary conditions. Systems containing a single layer of clay embedded between two granular layers of sand were also analyzed. Load-settlement curves of layered soil systems were obtained and a bearing capacity mechanism was applied to the investigations. Compared to a homogeneous granular material, the bearing capacity of a layered soil with a single clay layer between two granular soils decreased with a higher ratio of foundation diameter to layer thickness.