California bearing ratio

California bearing ratio

A ratio used in determining the bearing capacity of a foundation; defined as the ratio of the force per unit area required to penetrate a soil mass with a 3 sq in. (19.4 sq cm) circular piston at the rate of 0.05 in. (1.27 mm) per min to the force required for corresponding penetration of a standard crushed-rock base material; usually determined at a penetration of 0.1 in. (2.54 mm).

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Architecture and Construction. Copyright © 2003 by McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

California bearing ratio (CBR)

The bearing ratio of soil determined by comparing the penetration load of the soil to that of a standard material. The method covers evaluation of the relative quality of subgrade soils but is applicable to sub-base and some base course materials (ICAO). The term is typically used in airfield construction.

An Illustrated Dictionary of Aviation Copyright © 2005 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved