If you have recently bought a piece of land that you’re planning to develop, then there are several tests that need to be performed before you can get the building ball rolling. One of the more prominent of these is the assessment of the bearing capacity of soil in your prospective build area.
Essentially, the in-depth soil test Melbourne regulations require involves determining the ability of the intended soil to support the anticipated load of the structure. This means establishing whether the soil is strong enough to safely hold the foundation, building, or structure that you want to build. This post takes a closer look at the common methods involved in testing and establishing the soil bearing capacity of your build.
What Soil Bearing Capacity Means
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If you’re building for the first time, then you may not be familiar with the term “soil bearing capacity”. Essentially, this term refers to the maximum load or pressure that the soil under your building can handle in all weather and climate conditions. Ideally, your build should be able to withstand the weight of the building, even in the harshest weather.
Soil bearing capacity is ordinarily measured in pounds per square foot (psf) and kilopascals (kPa). Knowing how much weight the soil can bear (handle) is essential when developing the designs and constructions of foundations, bridges, roads, buildings, and other infrastructure types.
Know What Methods are Used to Assess Overall Soil Bearing Capacity
When it comes to performing a soil bearing capacity test, it’s crucial to know that there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. There is not a single test that works on all construction sites. Some of the more commonly used tests in and around Melbourne are discussed below.
1. Standard Penetration Test (SPT)
One of the more commonly used methods for assessing load-bearing capacity is the Standard Penetration Test, or SPT for short. Since this is a field test, this assessment involves using a split-barrel sampler, which is inserted into the soil to determine the exact number of consecutive blows needed to penetrate the soil to a specific depth.
The SPT process provides accurate insights into soil strength and density, which will help your geotechnical team to understand how much weight the soil can withstand. Knowing this will determine the best type of foundation to create for your building type. SPT is measured in blow counts, which is the N-value, and in Australia, the standard is 1289 in Test 6.3.
2. Cone Penetration Test (CPT)
The Cone Penetration Test, or CPT, is a process that involves inserting a cone penetrometer into the ground and surrounding soil to establish potential resistance. The process involves using a standardised electronic cone-shaped rod that is hydraulically inserted into the surrounding area.
In this test, resistance is measured as well as the friction between the soil and the cone. The test measures data and transfers the data to a laptop or data logger, which allows the geotechnical team to determine the load-bearing capacity. This test helps to choose the best foundation type to choose as well as determines the potential for soil displacement in high-slope regions or earthquake-prone areas. CPTs offer results faster than general laboratory tests.
3. Shear Strength Test
Not all soil tests are performed on site. Some, like the shear strength test, are performed in laboratories. These tests are performed by applying a specific force to the material sample. A split box is subjected to stress until it fails. This will give your geotechnical team a clearer understanding of how much weight the intended building or foundation can handle before the soil starts collapsing.
As with the other tests, the Shear Strength Test will help to establish the best foundation to create for your build. This is because some foundation types are designed to compensate for the weak properties in the soil, making your building safer and more durable.
4. Geotechnical Engineering Software
Modern soil tests are more effective because technological advancements have made it possible to perform more in-depth and accurate tests. By opting for advanced geotechnical software programs, your engineering team can test and analyse different types of soil data.
In addition to this, more complex calculations can be done to predict the overall soil bearing capacity based on the soil properties and other environmental factors. The software used may vary depending on your site requirements, the geotechnical firm doing the tests, and your specific region’s regulations. Some of the more common options being used around Australia include the following:
- Plexus
- Leapfrog Geo
- Fine GEO5
- OASys Geotechnical Suite
- Autodesk Solutions
- DAARWIN
Final Thoughts
Your first step in designing and building your dream home or commercial space involves testing and establishing the soil bearing capacity of the ground under and around your building site. Once your engineering team has a more comprehensive understanding of soil bearing capacity, the perfect construction methods and foundation types can be selected. This goes a long way toward ensuring that your project is as safe as possible for years to come!
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