Browse Forums Building Standards; Getting It Right! 1 Nov 10, 2013 1:48 pm I've just received my structural engineers report for my footings and roofing. For the (pier) footings he wrote: "In regards to a geotechnical investigation, you will only require them to test the base of the footings to ensure there is 150kPa bearing capacity when completing the foundation construction. A soil classification should not be required." Can anyone tell me how I can get this test done? I will be sub contracting the post hole digger and the concreter (using sonotube or similar form work). Is it something either of the sub contractors could do? Or more specialised? Cheers Re: soil bearing capacity 2Nov 14, 2013 12:43 pm Thanks Matt - no, haven't poured footings yet - still only about to submit DA!! I needed the engineers report before submitting all my plans. Will do as you say - don't mind paying for someone to do it - just wasn't sure who was going to be doing the doing so to speak!! WG Re: soil bearing capacity 3Nov 21, 2013 9:14 pm Really regardless of bearing capacity you should be getting a soil report done. You can have a firm clay that still can be reactive to moisture and cause issues. I query why the structural engineer would be confident in designing the slab without a geotech report? Re: soil bearing capacity 4Nov 23, 2013 12:51 pm Hi NickyG1990 - the footings are piers not slab - so perhaps that is why a soil classification isn't needed. The house site is on top of a hillock and after the site was scraped the soil looks to be hard and gravelly with no clay apparent. My house will be single story and piers are only required to be 300mm in ground and 400 above. I really should get around to starting my own thread!! Re: soil bearing capacity 5Nov 23, 2013 2:12 pm If there is no clay that's Ok. However even if no piers are needed for a rigid slab the designer should be considering heave and uneven settlement which would show in the bore logs of the soil report. Re: soil bearing capacity 6Apr 09, 2014 9:23 pm I would not proceed with out a soil test and the test should go below the final depth of the piers. In fact how did the engineer determine that depth with out a soil test? In some cases there can be a clay crust with soft soil below that and you wont be able to achieve adequate bearing capacity.Also poor bearing soil can seems stiff enough when it is dry but soft when wet eg silt. I would be consider another engineer. DIY, Home Maintenance & Repair This is a very challenging situation, made much harder by not being on site. Firstly, I think that I originally… 10 8982 I am not sure whether Perth has its own way of doing things in regards to this. Most of Perth has class A (sandy soil), except for some areas near rivers or hills. 2 13103 We were lucky in that our old house was so small (86 square metres) compared to the new house, they were able to take enough readings around the old backyard house before… 8 37150 |