As stated in my other articles, soil investigation is essential for any structural engineer. The purpose of soil testing is to determine if there are contaminants present in the soil or foundation that can affect the performance of a foundation or structure. Usually, the sample is taken from one part of the land and tested on another part of the land. However, if the location of the sampling is not feasible then the soil is simply excavated and tested at random. It is important to know where the sample is taken so that the testing procedure can be conducted at an unbiased site.
Why do we need soil investigation?
In addition to providing valuable information about the quality and condition of a soil sample, soil investigation also helps determine the site plan, site conditions, and site plans for future development. The site plan helps us determine where and how we want to develop the land. Site plans also show where the utilities and facilities will be located. If we have no site plan, we may end up with buildings and other facilities on what would be considered an inappropriate site.
What is a site test?
While soil testing may not be required during construction, it is often performed afterward as part of routine maintenance of the land. A sample of the soil should be taken for analysis at least every five years, which is called a site test.
Why do we need a sample of the soil for soil investigation? Site tests cannot be performed without a sample of the soil. Sampling the soil is necessary because the analysis provides valuable information about the quality of the underlying soils and can guide us as to how much material will be required to complete the foundation and infrastructure projects.
When should we test the soil? Site testing should be performed at least every five years. This is to allow the owner to monitor the site condition and make necessary repairs and improvements if needed.
Soil Sample testing:
Where should we send the soil samples for testing? Samples should be sent to a laboratory for analysis. Larger amounts of soil will not be sufficient to perform a complete analysis. It is important to send only a small volume of soil for testing, which should be as close as possible to the actual location of the site being tested. Samples should be sent in two ways, either through normal commercial delivery or through ground transportation.
What should be included in the sample? The sample should include a description of the site, a detailed description of the sampling, a site map, an opinion on whether the site is suitable for construction, a summary of the laboratory findings, and any additional information that the laboratory would consider important. Based on these details, the lab will draw a conclusion and provide an estimate of the cost. A soil investigation report is usually quite detailed and will contain recommendations on remediation.
Before a soil remediation plan can be implemented, a site test must be performed to determine the suitability of the proposed activity. If soil testing is conducted before the plan is implemented, then it is very likely that the first sample will yield a negative result, meaning that there is no suitable soil for the application. Hence, soil remediation becomes necessary at this point.
Importance of soil investigation:
The importance of soil investigation should not be underestimated. Site testing and a detailed soil report provide crucial information to the planning team. In the case of planned development, it gives them confidence that the soil analysis performed will indeed produce the desired results. It also helps determine if there are any other suitable alternatives to the proposed use of the land.
Soil remediation should be included as part of the overall plan, as it is a necessary step before the soil is usable. Without soil investigation, there would be difficulties in determining the best way to utilize the land. One example is with regards to using fill dirt on the construction site, if the original soil has clay-like or similar characteristics, then the proposed fill material might just blow away. An independent soil investigation report would help resolve these types of problems and help you make informed decisions.
Soil investigation is a specialized field and it is better to leave the job to the experts. They know what they are doing and can save time and money. A good independent soil remediation consultant should cost a lot less than your average contractor, thus making it an economical option.