Soil Testing Brisbane QLD | Independent Soil Testing & Report in Brisbane - Owner Builder Club
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Soil Testing Brisbane QLD | Independent Soil Testing & Report in Brisbane

Soil Testing in Brisbane

Soil testing in Brisbane is a crucial first step when planning a house construction project. This process helps to ascertain whether the soil for your building project can support the structure to be built.

When soil testing in Brisbane is done, the specific soils available onsite are identified and classified. This procedure lets you know in advance whether it’s safe to build your home onsite and what you can do to address any issues that may arise. It also helps you to avoid possible future stress, expenses and heartaches if it happens that the site turns out to be unsuitable, thereby leading to safety and structural concerns. 

Service Information

During soil testing in Brisbane, the following processes are done in adherence to Australian Standard AS 2870/2011-Residential slabs and footings:

  • Site classification
  • Providing Ys values
  • Recommendation of footing depths
  • Recommending the allowable bearing pressures
  • Determination of shear strength
  • Compressive strength testing

FAQs

1. Is there an additional step if the engineer finds out that the site has problematic soil?
According to a facility that conducts soil testing in Brisbane, highly and extremely reactive or problem sites (i.e. Class H1, H2, E or P) would need to be subjected to a special assessment by a structural engineer. This way, they can advise you if it's safe to build a house onsite without the risk of damage to the structure because of soil movement.

You may also need to install concrete piers or screw piers into the ground below the footing beams on the slab – perhaps to a depth below the section where soil moisture variations are minimal. Doing this will provide additional reinforcement and stability to the structure.

2. Does a site classification increase the cost of a project?
If the site classification reveals data that your site has very reactive or problem sites (e.g. Class H1, H2, E or P), you’ll not only need a special assessment to be done. You may also end up spending extra on additional materials and labour to get your house built safely in the area.