The state of the soil you are trying to construct has a direct relationship with how viable the construction is. Having soil that is not conducive for construction can have adverse effects on the stability of the building and create a lot of problems in the future.
This is why it is important for excavators to run accurate, detailed and precise tests to ensure that the land being excavated has the proper soil for the erection of a proper solid, and long-standing structure.
It’s estimated that the annual cost of expansive soil-caused damage in the U.S. is $2.3 billion, according to Benson, Kerrane, Storz & Nelson, P.C. That’s more than twice the damage caused by floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, and earthquakes combined.
So checking the quality of soil during excavation is an absolute necessity.
Main Considerations For Knowing Your Excavating Soils
It’s important to know the things we have to consider when trying to know the perfect soil for construction during the process of excavating the land. This will form the basis for whatever future analysis is done on the matter.
Types of soils discovered during excavation
Stable rock
“Stable rock” means natural solid mineral matter that can be excavated with vertical sides and remain intact while exposed. This means that it is the best type of soil for excavation. It is so stable in fact that the description above means that conventional excavation methods may not work for it. And you may have to drill or blast it, which would make it less stable. To make the best of this rock, if found on your private land you need the best residential excavation Edmonton has to offer. So hire the best.
Type A
This is the second most stable soil. It includes but is not limited to: clay, silty clay, sandy clay, and clay loam. Some of the signs to look for in soil to make sure that it is type A are that it is not fissured, if has not been previously disturbed, there is no water seeping through it, or if it is subject to vibration from sources such as heavy traffic or pile drivers.
Type B
These soils are not really cohesive enough for excavation. But they may be cohesive sometimes. They include silts, sandy loams, medium clays, and unstable rock. These are soils that could be disturbed, could have water seeping through it, or are susceptible to vibration.
Type C
They are the most unstable and comfortably the most dangerous soil for excavating. Because they are easily disturbed and are well affected by vibrations. One wouldn’t be advised to build on land that contains this type of soil. And this is where excavation comes in. We help to prevent future disasters because any house built on such land could have dangerous defects in a very short time.
The technique of testing soil after excavation
After the soil is tested, the samples are taken to a lab where the cohesiveness, response to disturbance and vibrations, and water holding capacities are tested with state of the art facilities, machines and instruments.
When the soil analysis is done, the excavating company will have an idea as to the type of soil they are dealing with and will advise their client on necessary steps of action.
Conclusion
The soil is the foundation of any excavation and construction project. It is what dictates the type and quality of work that can be done. It is crucial for it to be taken care of properly. Please make sure to hire professionals to do this for you. Cos the fate of your building depends on it!