Building a new home is considered by many to be the most important investment a person can make. With this in mind, you’ll want to ensure that your new house, no matter how big or small, is built on the strongest, most durable foundation possible. This will not only ensure the safety of your home but could also reduce the likelihood of potential repairs in the future.
The first step in ensuring this involves opting for the soil testing Melbourne authorities require. This will provide your engineering team with the necessary information to ensure that your foundation is built in the most durable way possible. If you’re not sure what the soil testing process involves and why it’s necessary, then this post is a must-read.
Soil Testing Simplified
Our team of geotechnical experts have compiled a list of the key aspects that will help you understand what soil testing is and why it’s an important first step in your new build.
1. Understanding What Soil Testing Is
Residential soil testing is the term given to the process of testing and analysing the ground and soil on the site where your new house is going to be built. During this testing process, the soil is tested for its load-bearing capacity, composition, and strength. The results of these tests will let you know whether the soil is strong enough to hold a foundation. You will also want assurance that any ground movement won’t affect the stability of the foundation.
During this process, soil samples are taken from a range of different depths to assess their physical properties. Some aspects of the tests are carried out on site, while others require laboratory analysis. These results produce what’s commonly referred to as “site classification”. This provides a breakdown of the soil’s suitability for construction.
2. Soil Testing is Essential for a Stable Foundation
Soil testing is a legal requirement and must be done for all residential and commercial builds where land has never been built on. There are several key reasons why soil testing is important, as listed below:
- Compliance with local building codes: All Australian building codes require that houses and other residential structures be built on stable and durable ground. Soil testing determines whether a potential foundation will meet the requirements to qualify for the necessary permits to allow construction. The requirements for these are outlined in AS2870.
- Saves money: Building on untested soil can see your team having to rectify building issues throughout the project. This can be costly and may result in extensive maintenance and repairs down the line. Issues that you can expect to avoid include the following:
- Cracked foundations
- Gyprock cracks
- Frame movement
- Ensures the most durable foundation design: Once your engineering team receives the soil classification results, decisions can be made about the foundation design. The overall design and building strategies can be amended to ensure that the foundation is stable and long-lasting. Aspects such as drainage, stability, and load-bearing capacity must be considered when planning the foundation design, as well as the materials needed to maintain durability.
3. Understanding What the Soil Testing Process Involves
Soil testing isn’t as complex as you may first think, but it does involve several stages. These are highlighted below:
- Initial site inspection: The first step involves a site inspection that establishes the soil’s stability to hold new builds. Assessment here includes testing factors such as vegetation cover, drainage, and slope.
- Taking soil samples: Next, your geotechnical team will drill boreholes to take various soil samples from several different depths. Samples are taken from different locations around the property are then sent to the laboratory for testing and analysis.
- On-site testing: Some testing is also done on-site to determine the underlying soil strength. The most common test done in this instance is the Dynamic Cone Penetrometer (DCP) test.
- Laboratory testing: At the laboratory, soil samples are analysed to assess physical properties, which include moisture content and plastic limit. Both of these tests determine how soil will react to movement and will help to establish how flooding or potential landslides can affect the soil and the property.
- Site classification: Once all the samples are tested, the soil analysis will be compiled into a soil classification report. Your geotechnical team and building engineer will then use this information to design and create the most stable foundation. In some instances, remedial building techniques will have to be implemented to ensure the strength and stability of the foundation. If your home is built on or near a slope, measures can also be put in place to reduce damage to your foundation in the event of landslides or localised flooding.
Final Thoughts
Residential soil testing is a necessary aspect for any new building project. This not only ensures that the foundation is stable, safe, and durable for years to come. In addition to this, your team will also eliminate any potential repairs and costly mistakes during the building process. Speak to your local geotechnical engineers about the necessary tests needed for your dream home.