Soil test for residential site
Soil test for residential site
(OP)
Dear all
Most of time when I am doing a slab design for the residential dwelling, I will went to the site and ask the Bobcat to dig some test holes. Then I classify the soil's level of the reactivity by just by visually and feeling. I feel what I am doing is not very professional. Do any of you have any better idea of doing the soil test for the residential dwelling site but economically. Also, is there any easy equipments that I can bring to site and do the sample test?
Thank you for your help.
Marco
Most of time when I am doing a slab design for the residential dwelling, I will went to the site and ask the Bobcat to dig some test holes. Then I classify the soil's level of the reactivity by just by visually and feeling. I feel what I am doing is not very professional. Do any of you have any better idea of doing the soil test for the residential dwelling site but economically. Also, is there any easy equipments that I can bring to site and do the sample test?
Thank you for your help.
Marco






RE: Soil test for residential site
Get a copy of the Australian Standard AS2870, this will offer guidance for classifying soils for residential construction. It provide an insite into the "visual and tactile" assessment of soils.
Web search Australian Standards.
regards
sc
RE: Soil test for residential site
Do you work in a geologic diverse area?
RE: Soil test for residential site
The equipment i would like to ask for testing the soil classification, percentage of clay minerals in the soil sample, etc. I want the easy equipment that can bring to the sit.
I am a structural engineer and sometimes need to design the house slab for residential purpose.
Marco
RE: Soil test for residential site
RE: Soil test for residential site
You know we just charge client approx 500+GST for the slab design, if hire a geotechnical engineer, then no profit for the job
RE: Soil test for residential site
You say a geotech would eat up your profit. How about going back and saying that you need expert input and they need to pay for his services. We always have the Geotech as another charge.
As for profit, how are the agressive are liability claims lawyers there? I never put myself at risk by cutting out the needed professional experts. In the long run, the little bit of payment could be nothing compared to lawsuit claims.
RE: Soil test for residential site
If you are practicing in an area which has a history of good footing performance then there is limited risk associated with the visual-tactile assessment. This method is allowed by the code, with "appropriate expertise and local experience". You can also be conservative in your site classification, although this will often result in the client paying more than if a more scientific approach was used.
And, no, I don't think there is a simple portable test method which can be done on site.
RE: Soil test for residential site
RE: Soil test for residential site
At that point I decided to never "give" work away for too little money.