Residential Soil Testing
SERVICES
GTS undertakes residential site classifications for Bendigo, Echuca, Wallan and surrounds.
What is residential soil testing?
A “soil test” or “site classification” is used to categorise the soil and geological conditions at a specific location to assess its suitability for construction and the type of foundation needed.
The site classification is based on the Australian Standard AS 2870-2011 – “Residential slabs and footings.”
Results from a site classification may be as follows:
- Class A – Acceptable: Indicates that the site has stable and highly compacted soils with minimal risk of ground movement. Standard foundation systems like concrete slabs can be used.
- Class S – Satisfactory: Indicates slightly reactive clay soils that can potentially cause some ground movement. Additional site-specific engineering may be necessary.
- Class M – Moderately Reactive: Clay soils that may undergo moderate ground movement due to changes in moisture content. These sites often require more extensive site preparation and engineered foundation solutions.
- Class H – Highly Reactive: Clay soils that can experience significant ground movement during wet and dry periods. Typically require specialised engineering and construction techniques to mitigate movement.
- Class E – Extremely Reactive: Includes expansive soils and/or the presence of rock near the surface. May require highly specialised foundation design.
- Class P – Problem soils: Indicates a site with fill material, unstable or expansive soils, or other conditions that may pose challenges for construction. There are specific engineering and construction requirements that need to be addressed to ensure the stability and integrity of the building.
Residential Footings Investigation
Investigations for new or existing dwellings
Meeting Australian Standards
Classification to AS 2870-2011 (Residential slabs & footings)
Footing Design Standards
To ensure the footings are designed for the conditions of the site.
NATA accredited laboratory
High-quality results meeting Australian Standards
Do I need to get a residential site classification or will my builder do it?
Usually, it’s the responsibility of the property-owner to arrange a site classification, before commencing any residential construction project.
An overview of the site classification process:
- Before building, the home owner engages a Geotechnical Engineer to conduct a site investigation. Be aware that the geotechnical conditions of your site can affect your budget, design and timeline of your residential construction project.
- The geotechnical engineer will visit your property, collect soil samples, assess the local geology, and perform tests to determine the soil’s characteristics and behaviour.
- Based on this information, the geotechnical engineer will provide a site classification and other geotechnical recommendations in a geotechnical report. These are important for the building foundation and footing requirements.
- Once you have the geotechnical report, you can share it with your builder, architect and/or structural engineer. At GTS, we are happy to discuss the geotechnical report with any of your engaged building professionals, especially if your site classification is not straight-forward.
- The builder will use the geotechnical report to design the appropriate foundations and footings for your house. The geotechnical recommendations will guide the construction process, ensuring that the structure is built to withstand the site-specific soil conditions.
Service Area
GTS services the Bendigo, Echuca and Wallan regions, as well as further afield for larger projects.
Contact us about site classifications
Contact us by phone or email to book a site classification and geotechnical report.