Florida Building Code Practice Exam

What may be tested when deemed necessary by the building official to evaluate questionable soil?

1. Moisture content

2. Bearing capacity

3. Swell factor

4. Clay to sand ratio

The correct answer is: Bearing capacity

The building official may test the bearing capacity of soil to evaluate its ability to support structures safely. The bearing capacity is a crucial parameter, as it determines how much load the soil can carry without experiencing failure or excessive settlement. When there are concerns about the stability or suitability of the soil, assessing the bearing capacity provides essential information that helps ensure compliance with safety standards in construction. Testing moisture content, swell factor, and clay-to-sand ratio can offer insights into soil behavior and characteristics, but they do not directly assess the load-bearing capability of the soil, which is critical for the foundation of any structure. Therefore, focusing on the bearing capacity is fundamental in evaluating questionable soil conditions.