There is an extensive amount of planning that goes into planning a new home. This is especially true if you’re planning to build your structure from scratch, on new land that has never been built on.
One of the key aspects you will need to focus on is the soil testing Melbourne regulations require, because without this, you may not get access to your building permits. What are soil tests, and why are they an essential part of everything from swimming pools to skyscrapers and everything in between?
Making Sense of Soil Testing
Essentially, soil testing, also called site classification, refers to the process of analysing and assessing the different characteristics of the ground your proposed build is going to stand on. Soil tests are used to establish whether the ground can withstand the weight of the foundation and structure combined. This is often referred to as the load-bearing capacity.
Enables Your Engineering Team to Minimise Potential Damage
When you’re planning your structure, you’re more than likely not giving any thought to issues such as future soil erosion, landslides, and even subsidence. The right types of geotechnical testing will identify any of these potential risks.
Soil tests can easily identify the characteristics in soil that make it susceptible to issues such as flooding, earthquakes, and landslides. Knowing what these risks are will help your team plan a stronger build or even make alterations to your initial plan. These types of tests are essential in areas prone to natural disasters or those built on or near slopes. Keep in mind that slope areas can present a huge risk for future landslides.
Provides Safety Before, During, and After
The last thing any property developer or engineering team wants to see is building material collapse as it’s being built. This occurs when the soil isn’t strong enough to hold the building.
When this happens, crews and anyone on the site are at risk of serious injury. Knowing what strength of soil they’re dealing with allows the engineering team to amend building materials, plans, and techniques to safely work with the ground conditions they’re facing. This can also involve using specialised reinforcement to strengthen foundations.
Keep in mind that weaker or softer soils may even pose hazards when certain types of machinery and power tools are used. A comprehensive geotechnical survey will ensure that your team can create a safe, secure, and stable structure during construction and after the building has been finalised.
Allows for an Eco-Friendly Approach
Construction can be extremely damaging to the local environment. This is especially the case when you don’t know what’s under the ground you’re building on. Additionally, there could be contaminants or waste materials in the ground under your build.
A soil test allows your team to assess the impact your build will have on the environment, as well as how anything in the ground and surrounding areas will affect your structure in the long term. This prevents you from having to deal with harmful contaminants down the line and also minimises damage to the environment. One of the top ways to counter your building footprint is to use recycled and natural materials in your building process.
Indicates the Best Design Approach
A building novice may think that the beginning of a build involves digging a standard foundation and then building. Few people realise that a significant amount of expert planning goes into designing the most suited foundation.
This is where your soil test comes in very handy. The results of the soil test will identify how strong the soil is and how stable a build will be. When soil is weak, measures are put in place for the foundation to compensate for the weak soil. This will ensure that your building doesn’t collapse as weight starts resting on the foundation.
Can Save Significant Costs in the Long Run
If you’re building for the first time, then you’ll quickly discover that costs can sometimes increase faster than you had anticipated. Usually, this happens when certain conditions on the build site make it necessary to change materials and even locations. These unforeseen changes can be avoided when you know exactly what you’re dealing with.
Soil tests identify the challenges in the ground, allowing your team to choose the best materials before any purchases are made. Knowing what you’re dealing with also helps your team put measures in place to avoid future repairs. A typical example of this involves using anti-sulphur concrete in a foundation to counter high sulphur content in the soil.
Final Thoughts
Having soil tests done is a necessary way to determine how effective the ground underneath your build will be. There are many advantages to doing the required soil tests. The most significant of these is the reassurance you’ll get.
Comprehensive soil tests enable your engineering crew to meticulously plan all the aspects of your build. Being able to make more informed and accurate decisions before the build begins will give you the peace of mind that your new structure has a solid and safe foundation.