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
