<\/p>\n A report prepared by a reputable consultant will contain a brief description of the site and surrounds and a specific description of the visual qualities of the soil samples taken, in terms of colour, moisture, plasticity and cohesion. The report will include a bearing depth and allowable bearing pressure, for the structural engineer to take into account when designing the footing system. As mentioned above, the report will also contain the site classification as determined by the geotechnical engineer in accordance with AS 2870. A summary of the possible soil classifications and their meaning is outlined below.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n A<\/strong> – refers to sandy or rocky sites with little or no ground movement<\/p>\n S<\/strong> – refers to slightly reactive clay sites with slight ground movement as a result of moisture changes in the soil profile<\/p>\n M<\/strong> –\u00a0refers to moderately\u00a0reactive clay sites with moderate\u00a0ground movement as a result of moisture changes in the soil profile<\/p>\n H<\/strong> –\u00a0refers to highly\u00a0reactive clay sites with high levels of\u00a0ground movement as a result of moisture changes in the soil profile<\/p>\n E<\/strong> – refers to extremely reactive clay sites with extreme levels of ground movement as a result of moisture changes in the soil profile<\/p>\n P<\/strong> – refers to sites with uncontrolled fill, loose sand, silt or abnormal moisture conditions.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n In some cases, the letter ‘D’ will be add to the site classification and this refers to ‘deep-drying’ conditions, see examples below.<\/p>\n M-D<\/strong>\u00a0–\u00a0refers to moderately\u00a0reactive clay sites with\u00a0deep moisture changes<\/p>\n H-D<\/strong>\u00a0–\u00a0refers to highly\u00a0reactive clay sites\u00a0with\u00a0deep moisture changes<\/p>\n E-D<\/strong>\u00a0– refers to extremely reactive clay sites\u00a0with\u00a0deep moisture changes<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The classifications of\u00a0M<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0M-D<\/strong> are the most\u00a0frequently encountered\u00a0in the Wagga Wagga area. M<\/strong> classifications are typical because of the naturally occurring soil and bedrock profiles that are dominant\u00a0throughout the area (moderately reactive red clay soils). Whilst an\u00a0M-D<\/strong> classification is a combination of this dominant clay profile\u00a0and\u00a0the local climate (high evaporation rates which contribute to moisture changes in the soil and therefore the ‘deep-drying conditions’ that the ‘D<\/strong>‘ refers to).<\/p>\n Classifications such as\u00a0A<\/strong>\u00a0will typically be found on the very upper slopes of a residential area. Classifications, such as\u00a0H<\/strong>,\u00a0H-D<\/strong> and\u00a0E\u00a0<\/strong>are somewhat\u00a0uncommon in the Wagga Wagga area, but not unique.\u00a0These type of sites\u00a0require additional concrete and reinforcement as part of their footing system to provide extra stability to the proposed building, given the more reactive or problematic soil, or foundation, that the building will be established upon.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n These classifications are important as they define the expected surface movement characteristics of the soil and therefore how the foundation of your home will act or perform under changing conditions. The following list gives you an idea of the surface changes that may be encountered for different soil classifications;<\/p>\n S\u00a0<\/strong>– ground movement of 0 to 20mm<\/p>\n M\u00a0<\/strong>– ground movement of 20 to 40mm<\/p>\n H1\u00a0<\/strong>– ground movement of 40 to 60mm<\/p>\n H2\u00a0<\/strong>– ground movement of\u00a060\u00a0to 75mm<\/p>\n E\u00a0<\/strong>–\u00a0ground movement greater than 75mm<\/p>\n If you can picture the soil around your home heaving and moving up to 40mm for a typical\u00a0M<\/strong> classification or even greater than 75mm for E<\/b> classifications, you can probably understand why a soil test report is such a key piece of information!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The report\u00a0is used by a structural engineer to accurately determine the most appropriate footing and slab design for your new home, in order to withstand the expected ground movement\u00a0on a particular site. As mentioned above, some of the poorer\u00a0classifications (H<\/strong>,\u00a0H-D<\/strong> and \u00a0E<\/strong>)\u00a0necessitate more detailed structural design for the footing system.<\/p>\n Let’s imagine the damage to your home if the footing system had been\u00a0incorrectly designed and was experiencing ground movement of\u00a040mm, 60mm or even greater. You might see significant cracking at cornices and other joints in the plasterwork, cracking in floors and tiles as well as movement in door frames\u00a0so that doors will not open and shut properly. All of the lovely finishes and touches in your new home may\u00a0be compromised if the basics aren’t right!<\/p>\n A copy of your report is also typically required to be submitted to council<\/a> as part of the approvals process.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n At MJM Consulting Engineers, we offer to\u00a0organise a report\u00a0from a local geotechnical engineering company on your behalf, as part of the service we provide to our clients. Alternatively, you may wish to do this directly yourself. We have worked with\u00a0each of the companies listed below, which can be contacted\u00a0for a quote to provide your soil test report.<\/p>\n These companies are based in Wagga Wagga, however if you are located in another part of southern NSW, we can recommend another company that may be able to satisfy your requirements, at a lower travel cost.<\/p>\n Aitken Rowe Testing Laboratories![\"geotech\"](\"https:\/\/mjm-solutions.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/geotechsoilsample.jpg\")
As part of preparing the report, the geotechnical consultant\u00a0will conduct an onsite investigation which includes the drilling of a borehole to take samples of the soil profile, usually down to 3 metres below the surface, or less if the auger is refused (ie. hits bedrock at a lesser depth). Testing of the samples by a NATA-accredited<\/a> laboratory is then undertaken. Finally, the geotechnical engineer analyses the results in accordance with AS 2870 to determine a soil classification.<\/p>\nWhat is contained in a\u00a0Residential Soil Classification Report?<\/h6>\n
Classification Summary From AS 2870<\/h6>\n
What do these classifications mean for my property?<\/h6>\n
Why do I need a Residential Soil Classification Report?<\/h6>\n
Where do I get a Residential Soil Classification Report\u00a0from? <\/span><\/h6>\n
\n<\/strong>Phone: (02) 6939 5555
\nWebsite: www.aitkenrowe.com.au<\/a><\/p>\n