Description

There’s good ground and then there’s cleared ground. From time to time, the BRANZ helpline receives enquiries asking what the difference is, so here’s a quick recap.

The terms ‘good ground’ and ‘cleared ground level’ are defined in 1.3 Definitions of NZS 3604:2011 Timber-framed buildings:

• Good ground is any soil or rock capable of permanently withstanding an ultimate bearing capacity of 300 kPa.
• Cleared ground level (CGL) is the ground level after completion of site excavation and removal of harmful material but before excavation for foundations.

Scope

This article includes:

• What does this mean?
• Determining good ground
• Testing ground bearing capacity
• Testing depths