Comments on: What is the Safe Bearing Capacity values for Different Soils? https://theconstructor.org/question/what-is-the-safe-bearing-capacity-values-for-different-soils/ Thu, 20 May 2021 12:40:25 +0000 hourly 1 By: Fasi Ur Rahman https://theconstructor.org/question/what-is-the-safe-bearing-capacity-values-for-different-soils/#comment-31872 Thu, 20 May 2021 12:40:25 +0000 https://theconstructor.org/?post_type=question&p=20711#comment-31872 The capacity of the soil to allow the loads coming from the foundation is called the bearing capacity of the soil.
It is essential to know the bearing capacity of the soil before designing the foundation. Different field tests can determine it. However, standard safe bearing capacity values are available for different soil types, and these values can be assumed where test data is limited or speedy construction is required.

S.No Type of Soil Safe Bearing Capacity ( kN/m2)
Cohesive Soils
1. Soft shale, hard or stiff clay in a deep bed, dry state 440
2. Medium clay readily indented with a thumbnail 245
3. Moist clay and Sand clay mixture, which can be indented by thumb pressure 150
4. Black cotton soil/expansive clay ( 50% saturated) in the dry state 130 to 160
5. Soft clay indented with moderate thumb pressure 100
6. Very soft clay which can be penetrated with the thump up to few centimeters 50
Cohesionless Soil
7. Compact gravel/sand and gravel mixture with good resistance against penetration of tools 440
8. Compact and dry coarse sand 440
9. Compact and dry medium sand 245
10. Loose gravel or sandy gravel mixture, dry state 245
11. Fine sand and silt ( consists of dry lumps) 150
12. Loose and dry fine sand 100
Rocks
13. Hard rocks such as granite trap, diorite, etc. 3240
14. Laminated rocks such as sandstone, limestone, etc. 1620
15. Residual deposits of shattered and broken bedrock and hard shale cemented material 880
16. Soft rocks 440
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