Central Victorian
Soil Testing

A soil test, formally known as a Site Classification, informs the structural design requirements of the foundations for your new structure (depth, reinforcement, layout). Two key aspects the test determines are the depth at which the soil is strong enough to support your structure, and assessment of the reactivity of the soils at your site.

Expansive clays pose challenges to structures across the world. These clays swell when wet and shrink when they dry out. Throughout a year normal seasonal variations are experienced by a structure, caused by the ground shrinking in the dryer months and swelling during the wetter months. This seasonal movement can stress your foundations which needs to be designed to withstand this movement. Our Site Classification report will assess and report the site reactivity so that your foundation is suitably sized.

Australian Standard AS2870-2011 details the requirements for assessing a site. A typical soil test for residential structures involves drilling boreholes and completing in-situ testing using a Dynamic Cone Penetrometer (DCP). The soils are logged by a Geotechnical/Civil Engineer which will identify the reactivity of your site. The DCP assists in assessing the bearing capacity of the soil. Proximity of the site to trees is also assessed as these can impact the reactivity. The end outcome is an assigned site reactivity for your site and depths where bearing capacity (50kPa and 100kPa minimum) are available.

For commercial and industrial structures, the scope of works varies considerably based on the type of structure and its requirements. We can complete various in-situ tests and laboratory testing in our NATA accredited laboratory.

This applies to the majority of sites in regional Victoria. It is most likely due to trees being near your structure which alter the moisture condition of the soil. All ‘problematic conditions’ will be detailed in your report. The ‘problem site’ classification alerts your design engineer to this fact so that they can design accordingly.

If you are planning to build within a Bushfire Prone Area (BPA), then you will need a BAL assessment to determine what material to build with to reduce the risk of losing your new home in the event of a bushfire. We can conduct this assessment while on site for soil testing or undertake this separately.

Yes you can. It is important to engage a competent earthworks operator to ensure that any fill material is placed and compacted appropriately. Filling the site with clay or cutting material away can alter the condition of the soils which will increase the surface movement at your site, as the newly placed soil will not have undergone the seasonal movements. We can account for this in our assessment.

This varies greatly depending on the type of proposed work. We can conduct in-situ testing at the site or take samples from the site for testing in our NATA accredited laboratory. If you tell us what you are building, we can recommend testing if required. Your structural engineer may also have specific requests. For a full list of the tests we offer, click here. For a full list of our NATA accredited testing, click here.

No. We offer a range of services including environmental testing for Land Capability Assessment (LCA). These are required when you don’t have access to a reticulated sewerage system and need to install a septic system.

We offer site classifications (residential constructions), geotechnical site investigations (commercial/industrial applications), geotechnical laboratory testing, wind classifications, bushfire attack level assessments, land capability assessments, surveying, pavement design, and compaction control testing.  It is often more cost effective to conduct multiple assessments during the one site visit rather than doing them separately.

Site Classification reporting accordance with Australian Standards AS2870 – Residential slabs and footings, applies to residential structures such as, but not limited to, dwellings, carports, extensions and sheds.

A Geotechnical Investigation report in accordance with Australian Standards AS1726 – Geotechnical site investigations, is a thorough site investigation that is used for structure types that AS2870 does not apply to. It includes a more complex assessment of the site and soil conditions, to ensure that design engineers have all the information needed to design these structures. Examples of structures that we have provided these reports for include, but are not limited to, bridges, light towers, large retaining walls, commercial warehouses and structures, large tank pads, crane pads, and weigh bridges.

Ideally boreholes should be drilled within the footprint of the proposed dwelling. Ultimately, it’s up to the building surveyor to accept the Site Classification (SC) report. Typically, if boreholes are drilled within a few meters of the final site, then it should be fine, but we have had cases where boreholes have needed to be re-drilled. Another important part of the classification is distance to trees which requires the final structure location within a few meters (even more important for a bushfire attach level (BAL) assessment). The site classification and bushfire attack level assessment are relatively quick processes so it’s best to do it once the structure location is finalized. The SC and BAL processes may also make you aware of potential problematic conditions which could help you decide on the final structure location.

Yes, this is quite common. While almost all land can be built on, some sites may have additional problematic conditions such as excessive fill which could increase the cost of your build. Identifying these things before buying will help you to avoid costly pitfalls.