Soil Bearing

[Nick]

I am having dificulty with my retailer / installer of my new manufactured home. The retailer wants to use a pocket pentrometer to show what the soil bearing is, but since the manufacturers installation manual says, "if acceptable to the local authority having juristiction" my local code official won't accept it. Now I have to hire a geo-technical engineer to do a site test to see how strong the ground soil is.

Can anyone help me.

[rmurray]

I have read your other posts responding to others problems....Seems you have a good handle on the problem solving process...I assume you have had the inspector call your installer and express his opinion...Most installers will avoid problems with inspectors at all costs....How does the dealer think you will ever get a certificate of occupancy from a building inspector who does not accept his set up?? Have the bvuilding official call the dealer and explain his requirements...

[rbonnie]

The pocket penetrometer is a good tool, but limited. The soil compaction test performed by a geo-tech engineer will be susbstantially more accurate at each location of the footings. This will add some expense but will define the properties of the soil for long lasting footer strength.

[mannymanbo2]

Rbonnie is right. A few years back, we contacted the maker of the pocket penitrometer. They clearly stated that their tool is to measure the compaction of fill ONLY! 6" layers!
Your code official is doing you a favor!