Bearing capacity is the amount of load a soil can support before it compresses or gives way, the property that ultimately decides whether a concrete slab stays level or sinks.
In depth
Concrete is only as stable as the soil beneath it. Dense, well-compacted gravel has high bearing capacity, while loose fill, saturated clay, and disturbed soil have low bearing capacity. When a slab\u2019s load exceeds what the soil can carry, the soil compresses and the slab follows it down.
Bearing capacity is not constant. Saturated soil can lose much of its strength, which is why settlement so often shows up after wet springs, plumbing leaks, or years of downspouts discharging next to the slab.
How Acme applies it. This is exactly why lightweight polyurethane beats heavy slurry. Our foam adds almost no load to soil that is already struggling, and deep injection can improve weak soil by binding and stabilizing it before we lift the slab.
Related terms: Soil Compaction, Concrete Settlement, Expansive Soil, Mudjacking
Frequently asked questions
Can you raise concrete on soil with poor bearing capacity?
Yes, and it is often the only smart approach. Lightweight foam avoids overloading the soil, and soil stabilization can strengthen the ground before lifting.
Will new concrete fix a bearing capacity problem?
No. Replacement pours a new slab on the same weak soil, and heavy trucks plus fresh concrete often make it worse. The soil issue has to be addressed either way.