Question

Soft clay that can be penetrated several inches by a thumb has a bearing capacity of about what pressure? Give your answer in pounds per square foot (psf) or pascals (Pa). Hard clay that can be indented with difficulty by a thumbnail has a bearing capacity of about what

Answer

Soft clay that can be easily penetrated by a thumb probably has a bearing capacity of between 500 and 1500 pounds per square foot (24,000 and 72,000 pascals). Hard clay that can barely be indented has a capacity of over 3000 psf (144,000 Pa).