Why is it important to know the ground bearing capacity before setting up a crane?

Knowing the ground bearing capacity before setting up a crane is crucial because it ensures the ground can support the crane's weight plus the load without collapsing or becoming unstable. If the ground bearing capacity is insufficient, the crane's outriggers or tracks can sink into the ground, causing the crane to tilt or overturn, leading to a catastrophic accident. Ground bearing capacity is the measure of the soil's ability to withstand pressure from the crane's weight. For example, setting up a crane on soft soil without knowing its bearing capacity could cause the outriggers to sink, tilting the crane and potentially dropping the load. Therefore, a geotechnical investigation is often necessary to determine the ground bearing capacity before setting up a crane, and appropriate ground stabilization measures, such as using timber mats or engineered fill, may be required to increase the bearing capacity.