Soil testing is a highly recommended procedure before the construction of commercial as well as residential buildings. It is necessary to ensure that the site chosen for construction is suitable for building high-rise buildings with commercial set-up. Soil testing is conducted to assess the type of land upon which the construction is planned. Additionally, it also evaluates the strength and stabilization of the soil. Some soil can withstand heavy, high-rise structures, while some fail to withhold even a tiny hut. Thus, soil testing for stabilization is an important step that shouldn’t be missed out.
Identify the required materials for construction
Soil testing helps determine the type of raw materials that need to be used for construction. Knowledge about mineral content, chemical composition, water percentage, etc., is essential to utilize suitable construction materials. For instance, when there is a high percentage of sulfur in the soil, it is prone to corrosion. Thus, the construction must include sulfur-resistant raw materials, thereby delivering a corrosion-proof building.
Identify the required foundation type
Soil testing before construction also helps evaluate the soil’s engineering and physical properties. The presence of minerals, moisture content, permeability of density, withholding capacity, etc., can be quickly revealed. Such soil properties determine the type of foundation required for the construction. It is necessary to ensure that the foundation is strong enough to transfer the weight of the building to the underneath soil. One mustn’t forget that the foundation is the backbone of any building. A defect in the foundation can cause the building to collapse and even impair surrounding buildings.
Identify corrosive soil
Multiple chemicals are present in the sub-grade portion of the soil. Chemicals like chloride and sulfur react with concrete drastically. The reaction results in damage or worsening of the concrete foundation. Henceforth, this will gradually impact the strength of the building, which ultimately lead to the collapse of the entire construction. Thus, it becomes even more vital to practice soil testing for stabilization before building construction. Experts recommend that it shouldn’t be made compulsory for commercial construction but for residential buildings.
Identify reclaimed soil
Another reason for building collapsing or getting damaged is the construction on reclaimed soil. Reclaimed soil consists of debris, clay, and silt particles. This results in the gradual consolidation settlement, making the soil strata unstable for building construction. Such soils fail to undergo consolidation over a time frame. Moreover, reclaimed soil contains toxic chemicals like chlorine and sulfur, which are detrimental to the building foundation. Thus, constructing a building on weak soil can be avoided via soil testing.
Conclusion
Testing or evaluating the soil before construction helps to lay the foundation of the building. The majority of commercial builders conduct the procedure of soil testing for stabilization. The testing helps to detect chemical and physical properties, mineral percentage, and the bearing capacity of the soil. Therefore, building collapse and damage can be significantly avoided by avoiding such types of soil.
