Importance of Testing Soil Before Construction

It is not possible to undertake any construction project without soil. The weight of the structures is taken up by the soil. Therefore, the first and most important step that’s taken by nearly all of the reputed construction companies is none other than soil testing. The purpose of testing the soil is to check its bearing capacity and it can also show the chemical and physical composition of soil. Even if the soil is same, these characteristics can vary for each and every layer. This is due to the fact that the soil’s characteristics depend on the climate change, weather and the management of the site. All these factors can have an impact on the bearing capacity of the soil and so it needs to be tested before it is deemed fit for construction.

It is essential for the soil to be able to withstand the weight of the structure being built or else it can lead to disastrous consequences in the long run. The soil testing procedures and investigations don’t just check its bearing capacity, but also take a look at the soil’s rate of settlement. It is important to check this as well because it has an impact on the rate of structure stabilization of the soil. Apart from that, these testing procedures determine the depth and length of the pillars that are put into the soil to form the foundation of a building.

The only way to identify any potential foundation problems and choose a suitable construction technique accordingly is through soil testing. Similarly, the soil needs to be tested for its water table level to be identified. The soil’s water table level is relevant because it shows what kind of possible problems may occur in the foundation of the building as well as its level of humidity. The mineral and chemical components of the soil will also determine what construction material is used by companies. For instance, if a soil analysis reveals that it contains Sulphur, then the foundation of the building will be protected by using Sulphur resisting cement.

Construction companies now deem a geotechnical investigation of the soil crucial because it helps in taking better decisions, which can ensure the success of a construction project. The use of materials and the height of the building is also decided by the engineers on the basis of the soil testing reports. In this way, it is possible to build durable and strong structures.

It also enables the structure engineers to decide whether they should use vibro stone columns or other techniques for soil stabilization or achieve better building stability by increasing the depth of the foundation. The cost of soil testing is only a fraction of the construction cost of a structure. It doesn’t matter what kind of soil it is; whether it is gravel, clay, sand, loom soil or silt, it is necessary to perform soil testing. It should always remain the first step of construction or else the structure that’s built will be exposed to the unknown and hidden dangers associated with the weaknesses of the soil.