tragfähige

Tragfähige is an attributive form of the German adjective tragfähig, meaning capable of bearing load. The term is used to describe objects, structures or materials that have sufficient structural capacity to support loads without failing. In everyday language it is often applied to physical objects such as buildings and foundations as well as to soils and ground conditions. It can also be used metaphorically to describe ideas or plans that are feasible or viable.

Etymology and grammatical use: Tragfähig comes from tragen (to carry) and fähig (able). The form tragfähige is one of several inflected endings the adjective can take, for example tragfähige Struktur (feminine singular), eine tragfähige Last, or tragfähige Böden depending on gender, number and case. In technical writing the noun Tragfähigkeit denotes the capacity to bear loads, while tragfähig describes the related properties of a component or material.

Contexts and examples: In construction and civil engineering the phrase tragfähige Grundlagen or tragfähiger Boden indicates soil with adequate bearing capacity for foundations. Common collocations include tragfähige Wände (load-bearing walls), tragfähige Tragsysteme, and tragfähige Fundamente. The concept is quantified in engineering by measurements such as bearing capacity or ultimate bearing pressure, often expressed in units like kPa or MN/m², and is critical for ensuring safety and stability.

Metaphorical use: Beyond physical contexts, tragfähig can describe feasible or realistically implementable solutions, plans or processes, e.g., eine tragfähige Lösung für ein Problem.

See also: Tragfähigkeit, Last, Tragwerk, Fundament, Bodenbau.