Any successful building project starts at the soil foundation – but considering what’s going to support your structure is more important than you might think. The right information regarding the soil and subsequent recommendations for structural engineering can ensure your building’s stability and strength, while the wrong can cause your project to collapse – literally!
Knowing the surface you will be building on is essential to crafting a sturdy and long-lasting structure. Soil testing for construction and infrastructure projects can help lower risks on site and minimise the chance of your project running overtime, saving you money, time and allowing you to create a long-lasting, high-quality structure.
All kinds of surveying are needed before any major construction begins, and we believe a geotechnical survey is one of the most important. This blog will highlight exactly what a geotechnical survey is, and a few reasons why knowing your soil properties is so beneficial to construction.
Read on to learn more about geotechnical surveys and why you should always consider one for your construction projects.
A geotechnical survey may also be referred to as a geotechnical site investigation or a soil report, and it should always be done before a new construction project begins. These geotechnical reports involve testing the ground and soil in various ways to determine its physical properties, structure, and any potential weaknesses.
A geotechnical survey involves a series of tests. The exact tests conducted will depend on the area and any concerns. Here is a snapshot of some of the various checks that may occur:
You can find so much useful information by performing an in-depth geotechnical survey. These tests are also vital for construction projects as a mechanism to aid their longevity, as well as the safety of the surroundings .
Let’s discuss five specific benefits you’ll get by conducting a geotechnical survey before you start construction.
By thoroughly testing the soil at your proposed site, you can mitigate risks that could severely impact your project in the long run. Risks such as erosion, subsidence and soil liquefaction can all wear away at a new building over time, and identifying these early through geotechnical investigations allows you to create strategies and put safeguards in place to prevent these dangers from ruining your project.
If you are building in an area prone to natural disasters such as flooding, landslides and earthquakes, a geotechnical survey can highlight site-specific hazards. In turn, this information allows you to develop a structure that can withstand these events by reinforcing and tailoring the foundations. You may even be able to implement slope stabilisation techniques if needed.
Construction projects can severely impact the environment they are built on, which is why a geotechnical report is so useful for minimising this damage. A quality geotechnical site investigation will unearth any possible contaminant pathways that need to be aware of, allowing you to build your project without leaking harmful liquid or solid waste materials into the soil and underground waterways.
A geotechnical survey can also help you avoid the need for extensive ground modifications by highlighting the natural structures and vulnerabilities inside the soil type. This will help you use construction techniques that are ideal for the area and won’t damage the existing makeup of the land. The right techniques will also reduce construction waste materials, minimising your environmental footprint and saving you some money in the process.
Do you need soil testing in Melbourne? SITE Geotechnical can help! Our geotechnical engineers perform soil material sampling as part of our range of Geotechnical Fieldwork services.
Safety is paramount on any construction site, and a geotechnical survey can help keep your team safe while they work, as well as ensure the safety of those using the building when your project is complete.
Using a geotechnical report to get a deep understanding of the soil condition you are building on can help prevent your structure from collapsing as it is built, as well as ensure your team is using the right machinery and tools for the job. The wrong power tools or heavy-duty machinery can cause injury when used in the wrong scenario, so it’s vital your team uses the best equipment that suits the soil you are working on.
The most extreme scenario of ignoring the soil you are building on is a total collapse of your project once it’s finished and in use. Such a catastrophe can cause severe injuries to those inside, as well as putting your business in the spotlight for unwanted reasons. A geotechnical survey will ensure your building is created safely, keeping both your workers and those utilising the building afterwards protected.
The properties of the soil unearthed in a geotechnical survey can indicate what type of design you should use for the foundation construction and structure of your entire project. By understanding the load-bearing capacity of the soil, how it settles under pressure and any other potential hazards, you can determine the best type of foundation to build and avoid over or under-designing your building.
By choosing efficient and customised designs tailored to the type of soil you are working with, your structure won’t be in danger of sinking, collapsing or cracking due to foundational issues. You can save time and effort in choosing a design by limiting your choices to the construction methods compatible with the ground you are building on.
By taking all of these geotechnical studies into account, your entire project will actually end up costing you less in the long run! By choosing optimised materials and structure designs for your soil, you can rest assured your build will be done right the first time, with no need for costly do-overs.
A geotechnical survey can also help you save money on materials and manpower, allowing you to avoid over-expending where it isn’t needed. Choosing optimised materials will help prevent the need for repairs in the future, while having a design customised for the soil ensures you’ll know how many workers you need on-site to complete the job, preventing an excess or lack of workers.
Do you need Geotechnical services in Donnybrook, Tarneit, Taylors Hill or other nearby suburbs? Reach out to SITE Geotechnical for an in-depth and helpful geotechnical investigation for your next project.
A quality geotechnical survey will allow you to make informed decisions about the best practices for your construction project, saving you time, money and stress. At SITE Geotechnical, we offer accurate and effective geotechnical services for Melbourne based projects, and have been since 2005.
Our team has a combined experience of over 80 years and are proud to offer our clients thorough and timely geotechnical services, including geotechnical engineering, soil testing for construction and a wide range of investigations. For more information on why these tests are so necessary, read Why A Geotechnical Investigation Before Construction Is So Important on our website.
Contact us via 1300 557 260 or get in touch via our online request form and we will get back to you as soon as possible. Our geotechnical engineers are passionate about helping your projects succeed through our in-depth examinations and geotechnical engineering work – reach out and let’s start preparing your next project today!
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