Soil Testing Practices That Geotechnical Engineers Must Observe
It is crucial to ensure a house is sitting on a strong foundation when building one. However, this is only possible if you carry out soil tests before the project begins. The process is conducted by a geotechnical engineer who takes core soil samples of a site for analysis in a lab. The results give an idea of how the soil behaves under certain conditions and whether structural support is required for the foundation. That said, you must choose the right soil testing services since the integrity of the foundation rides on the accuracy of the exercise. Read on for critical soil testing practices that geotechnical engineers must observe.
Take Multiple Cores -- The first thing a geotechnical engineer does when they show up at a site is to drill the ground and remove a core sample. However, you must be keen on the number of samples that the geotechnical engineer takes for soil testing. The reason is that some engineers only take a single core from a site for testing, which is not enough. This is because soil conditions in different spots can vary significantly, even on the same lot. Therefore, testing one core is not enough to tell the whole story. A professional geotechnical engineer must take several soil cores from different areas on a site. Testing all the cores will give a clear picture of the of the ground condition.
Use House Design as Guide -- Most people believe that geotechnical engineers show up haphazardly and take soil core samples from a site. However, nothing could be further from the truth. A geotechnical engineer providing soil-testing services must use a home's plan as a guide for collecting soil samples. For example, the location of a storied structure must exhibit stable ground. However, you cannot establish ground conditions without relying on a construction plan. Collecting soil samples prematurely exposes you to unnecessary costs, which can be avoided by securing the construction or architectural plan first.
Examine Water Drainage Issues -- Soil testing deals with analysing soil samples for reactive properties. However, water drainage issues often play a significant role in soil reactivity, especially on sites where drainage issues are intermittent. For example, soil that is less reactive for the better part of a year is susceptible to movement during the rainy season. It is especially the case if the ground has poor drainage. Therefore, it is crucial for soil testing services to include ground drainage analysis and suggest corrective measures.
Share