stiff clay bearing capacity

[aladdin76]

what is the maximum design bearing capacity of stiff clay in kPa (theoretically)

 

[GeoPaveTraffic]

The max design bearing capacity is dependent on the strength of the material.

Mike Lambert

 

[hokie66]

Stiff clay varies with geographical location, but usually it is considered to be around 150 to 200 kPa material.

 

[JennyNakamura]

The IBC in Ch 18 Table 1806.2 gives a "presumptive" value of 1500 psf (71.82 kPa) for clay. Also, Table 3-1 in TM 5-818-1 (US Army Corps of Engineers) gives a worst case value of 1400 psf for cohesion for clay soils. By definition, cohesion is 1/2 the unconfined compressive strength (qu), so 1400 psf would be close to qa with a safety factor of 2. I would use 1500 psf (71 kPa). Just my opinion.

 

[hokie66]

Jenny,
That is being really conservative for "stiff clay". Presumptive values are for use when there is no actual geotechnical information available. If there is enough information to classify the clay as "stiff", then the clay should be much better than 1500 PSF.