Hi All, How can I verify the bearin

[Hercul3s]

Hi All, How can I verify the bearing capacity of soils for placement of foundations on a small project?
I'm working on a project that involves underpinning of a foundation wall. How do I know that the subgrade is adequate (has the minimum psf allowance) for placement of concrete on the underpinning sections?

 

[JAE]

Hire a geotechnical engineer perhaps?

 

[Hercul3s]

Yes I know, but the owner is trying to avoid that as the project is very small..

 

[kipfoot]

My order of preference:
1) geotechnical engineer's recommendation, from soil borings before the project starts
2) geotechnical engineer's recommendation, made after excavation is done, but before footing placement
3) use presumptive properties from the code, for example: IBC table 1806.2
4) use conservative values that you have used for similar soil in the locality
5) 1500 lb/ft^2

 

[XR250]

I assume if you are underpinning the wall, the soil ain't great. I would hire a geotech.

 

[JAE]

We do similiar to kipfoot's list.
We assume their item 3) is basically the same as item 5) in our area/region.