In the absence of tests, the different soils, excluding mud and quicksand, shall be assumed to sustain safely the following loads per square foot, and footings shall be provided under all walls and columns where required to keep the pressure on the soil within the limits specified in this Section:
Type Of Soil
|
Load Limit In Tons
|
Soft clay | 1 |
Firm clay, fine sand, or layers of sand clay (wet condition) | 2 |
Clay or fine sand, firm and dry | 3 |
Hard clay, coarse sand, gravel | 4 |
Soft rock, shale and hardpan | 8 to 15 |
Rock | 15 to 72 |
(1964 Code § 292)