Bearing capacity

How it is used

Stated in the geotechnical report and used to size footings. Engineers talk about allowable and ultimate bearing capacity, and about whether the soil has adequate bearing capacity.

Example sentences

1. The report gives an allowable bearing capacity of 150 kPa at two metres depth.

2. The fill has a low bearing capacity, so the footings must go down to natural ground.

Common collocations

• allowable bearing capacity
• ultimate bearing capacity
• bearing pressure
• low bearing capacity

Related terms

• foundationThe lowest part of a structure, usually below ground, which spreads the building's loads safely into the soil or rock underneath.
• footingA widened concrete base under a column or wall that spreads its load over a larger area of soil. Pad footings sit under columns and strip footings under walls.
• settlementThe downward movement of a foundation or structure as the soil beneath it compresses under load. Some settlement is normal; too much causes cracks.
• site investigationThe study of ground conditions before design, using boreholes, trial pits and field and laboratory tests to find out what the soil and rock are like.
• pileA long column of concrete or steel that is driven or drilled deep into the ground to carry a structure's load down to stronger soil or rock.

More terms: Foundations and Soil

• backfill
• compaction
• retaining wall
• groundwater
• borehole