Code of Federal Regulations Title 24. Housing and Urban Development § 24.3285.202 Soil classifications and bearing capacity

(a) Soil tests. Soil tests that are in accordance with generally accepted engineering practice;  or

(b) Soil records. Soil records of the applicable LAHJ;  or

(c) Soil classifications and bearing capacities. If the soil class or bearing capacity cannot be determined by test or soil records, but its type can be identified, the soil classification, allowable pressures, and torque values shown in Table to § 3285.202 may be used.

(d) A pocket penetrometer;  or

(e) In lieu of determining the soil bearing capacity by use of the methods shown in the table, an allowable pressure of 1,500 psf may be used, unless the site-specific information requires the use of lower values based on soil classification and type.

(f) If the soil appears to be composed of peat, organic clays, or uncompacted fill, or appears to have unusual conditions, a registered professional geologist, registered professional engineer, or registered architect must determine the soil classification and maximum allowable soil bearing capacity.

¹ The values provided in this table have not been adjusted for overburden pressure, embedment depth, water table height, or settlement problems.

² For soils classified as CH or MH, without either torque probe values or blow count test results, selected anchors must be rated for a 4B soil.

³ The torque test probe is a device for measuring the torque value of soils to assist in evaluating the holding capacity of the soil in which the ground anchor is placed. The shaft must be of suitable length for the full depth of the ground anchor.

⁴ The torque value is a measure of the load resistance provided by the soil when subject to the turning or twisting force of the probe.