Bärkapacitet

Bärkapacitet, or bearing capacity, refers to the maximum load a soil or rock mass can withstand without undergoing shear failure or excessive settlement. It is a fundamental concept in geotechnical engineering, crucial for the safe design of foundations, retaining walls, and other structures that transfer loads to the ground.

The bearing capacity is influenced by several factors, including the type of soil or rock, its density, moisture content, and the presence of groundwater. For granular soils like sand and gravel, bearing capacity generally increases with density and grain size. For cohesive soils like clay, it is more dependent on the soil's shear strength, which can vary significantly with moisture content and geological history.

Several methods are used to calculate bearing capacity. Terzaghi's bearing capacity theory is a classic approach that considers the soil's cohesion, internal friction angle, and unit weight. Meyerhof's and Hansen's theories are more advanced, incorporating factors like foundation shape, depth, and load inclination. In-situ tests such as the Standard Penetration Test (SPT) and Cone Penetration Test (CPT) are also employed to estimate soil properties and, consequently, bearing capacity.

Understanding and accurately determining the bärkapacitet is vital to prevent structural failures and ensure the long-term stability of infrastructure. Inadequate bearing capacity can lead to differential settlement, tilting, or even catastrophic collapse of a structure.