The load of structure
is coming on the soil. So we need to know the bearing capacity of the soil.
Bearing capacity of soil is used to indicate the maximum load per unit area
which is determined by a) Method of loading or b) Method of dropping weight.
Dividing the ultimate soil bearing capacity by a safety factor we get the
maximum safe bearing capacity of soil which is used to design foundations.
Below are the maximum soil bearing
capacity of different types of soil:
Type of soil Maximum safe bearing capacity kg/m2
1. Soft, wet clay or muddy clay 5,000
2. Soft clay 10,000
3. Fine, loose and dry sand 10,000
4. Black cotton soil 15,000
5. Moist clay and sand clay Mixture 15,000
6. Loose gravel 25,000
7. Medium clay 25,000
8. Medium, compact and dry sand 25,000
9. Compact clay 45,000
10. Compact sand 45,000
11. Compact gravel 45,000
12. Soft rocks 45,000
13. Laminated rock such as sand stone &
Lime stone 165,000
14. Hard rocks such as granite, diorite, trap 330,000
Type of soil Maximum safe bearing capacity kg/m2
1. Soft, wet clay or muddy clay 5,000
2. Soft clay 10,000
3. Fine, loose and dry sand 10,000
4. Black cotton soil 15,000
5. Moist clay and sand clay Mixture 15,000
6. Loose gravel 25,000
7. Medium clay 25,000
8. Medium, compact and dry sand 25,000
9. Compact clay 45,000
10. Compact sand 45,000
11. Compact gravel 45,000
12. Soft rocks 45,000
13. Laminated rock such as sand stone &
Lime stone 165,000
14. Hard rocks such as granite, diorite, trap 330,000
