Structerre’s in-house NATA accredited laboratory facilities provide comprehensive soil testing and analysis to help you design cost effective and reliable foundations. Our laboratory can perform a wide range of tests compliant with Australian Standards, including:
- Particle size distribution
- Liquid / plastic limit
- Plasticity index
- Linear shrinkage and shrink swell testing
- Sand-pad suitability
- Compaction control of fill and pavement materials.
With fast turnaround times and site mobilisation, we help you satisfy council requirements and speed up your building process. Learn more about soil testing here.
What is a soil test?
Soil tests determine the density, moisture and composition of the soil such as clay, sand, rock. This is essential for:
- To determine best practice for your site
- To determine soil parameters for structural design.
At Structerre, our soil testing is performed by our expert geotechnical engineers with the required equipment to undertake logging and sampling, where samples can be retrieved from multiple depths to determine an accurate determination of classification.
Site/soil classifications and what they mean
- A Class – Sand or rock sites, with little to no movement from seasonal moisture change.
- S Class – Slightly reactive clay sites, with up to 20mm of ground movement from seasonal changes in moisture.
- M Class – Moderately reactive clay sites, with ground movement up to 40mm from seasonal changes in moisture.
- H1 Class – Highly reactive clay sites, with ground movement up to 60mm from seasonal changes in moisture.
- H2 Class – Highly reactive clay sites, with ground movement up to 75mm from seasonal changes in moisture.
- E Class – Extremely reactive clay sites, with ground movement greater than 75mm from seasonal changes in moisture.
- P Class – A ‘Particular’ site. This classification is for all other sites that require specific foundation design to meet the ground conditions encountered on site that don’t meet the requirements of Classes A to E. This may include soft soils, (swamp deposits and peaty soils) loose sands, (Karstic or cave formations) collapsable soils, (weakly cemented materials) or sites subject to abnormal moisture conditions.
As soil reactivity and movement increase, so do foundation requirements for stiffness and footing size. No matter the soil type or construction style, Structerre offers tailored foundation solutions designed to meet the unique demands of your project.
You might also be wondering…
Is my site classification still valid?
There are a few factors that come into play when determining a soil tests validity.
Typically, a soil report will remain valid unless there is a change to the site’s conditions, these changes could include:
- New trees, either on your property or adjacent properties
- If the property is in an area prone to erosion or landslides
- Excavation of soil from your property, and/or fill being put onto your property (such as landscaping changes)
- If the area that you want to build your new structure on wasn’t previously tested in the report
It should also be noted that old soil tests may not be in accordance with current standards or current soil testing procedures, which means it may not be as accurate as necessary.
Can I build new structures without a site classification?
Any structure that requires a building permit submitted to local council will need a Site Classification. This applies to structures such as:
- Sheds larger than 10m²
- Any new building requiring council approval
The building permit process requires relevant engineering documentation including soil testing results, to ensure safety and compliance in construction. Since council requirements vary, it is always best to check with your local council to confirm exactly what you need.
Contact Structerre for your site classification and geotechnical engineering needs. Structerre can perform fill suitability including particle size distribution, liquid & plastic limit testing, sand-pad suitability and compaction control of insitu fill materials. Structerre satisfies council requirements and speeds up the building process with fast turnaround times and mobilisation to site.
