Introduction
Ground bearing capacity is an important parameter that is used to determine the suitability of ground for supporting different kinds of loads. It refers to the maximum bearing pressure of a certain soil type within certain settlement criterion which a collected structure or foundation can safely rest upon, without causing excess settlement or failure.
Soil Parameters
The capacity of a soil to support a particular load depends on a number of factors. These factors can include the type and texture of the soil, its degree of compaction, moisture content, the amount of consolidation present, and the type and amount of soil reinforcement used. The way in which these parameter interact with each other will be very different from case to case. For instance soft soils such as clay will have a much different bearing capacity than stronger soils like gravel or sand.
Static Methods
Static methods have historically been used to estimate ground bearing capacity. These methods usually involve theoretical calculations of the load bearing capacity of soils based on a variety of different parameters such as soil type, depth of foundation, area of foundation, and depth to groundwater table. These methods are appropriate for soils of medium to low strength, but may underestimate the load bearing capacity of soils of higher strength.
Dynamic Methods
Dynamic tests provide a more realistic estimation of the load bearing capacity of soils. These tests measure the actual responses of soils to dynamic loading. Examples of dynamic tests include Plate Loading Tests and Standard Penetration Tests. Plate Loading Tests are useful for estimating the bearing capacity of soils with a very low strength. Standard Penetration Tests are more commonly used for medium-high strength soils.
Conclusion
The ground bearing capacity of a soil refers to the maximum bearing pressure of a certain soil type within certain settlement criterion which a collected structure or foundation can safely rest upon. The capacity of a soil to support a particular load depends on a number of factors, such as soil type, texture, degree of compaction, moisture content and amount of consolidation present. Static methods have historically been used to estimate ground bearing capacity, but dynamic tests provide a more realistic estimation.
