What is soil testing?

Soil testing involves testing soil to reveal its physical and engineering properties. Soil testing will reveal that the soil can withstand our structure. The quality of soil depends on many factors like climate change, weather, elements present in it, and what was present there. Suppose we know the moisture, Density, minerals present, bearing capacity, and permeability before Construction. In that case, we have a chance to eliminate the negatives and work on improving the quality of the soil. So, it is very crucial to conduct soil tests for Construction.

Why is Soil Testing Important before Construction?

• Soil testing is important because it provides all the information about soil. If it is not tested, we can't be able to focus on the things which are lacking in the soil.
• Soil testing will identify the defects and damages that can cause to our Construction.
• With soil testing, we can measure the length and depth of the pillars that support the building in the foundation.
• It helps in identifying the water table, minerals, and elements that are present in the soil.
• Soil testing will ensure that no serious accidents will not happen in the future.
• It also helps how soil can react to different conditions and chemicals during Construction.
• Soil testing also shows which type of cement is suitable for our Construction.
• Soil testing will know the amount of load the structure can withstand in that area.

What are the types of soil testing?

There are different types of soil tests available in the market. By soil testing, we can ensure that no harmful substances are present in the soil.

1. Moisture Content Test

The moisture content test is the ratio between water's weight to solid particles' dry weight. In this procedure, the difference between the two is determined by taking the difference in weight before drying and after drying nearly at 110℃.

2. Specific Gravity Test

A specific gravity test finds out the ratio of the weight of soil in the air to the weight of an equal volume of water at 4ºC. The Specific Gravity value should lie between 2.65 to 2.85. A value lower than 2 reveals the soil is porous and organic, and a value greater than 3 reveals the presence of heavy substances. So the ideal value is suitable for constructing all constructions like houses, malls, hospitals, villas, etc.

3. Dry Density Test

The dry Density Test tests the Density of the soil. It is calculated by dividing the weight of dried soil by the volume of the soil. It is important to determine the bearing capacity, stability, and compaction. The dry Density Test is conducted in two types:

• The sand replacement method
• The core cutter method.

4. Atterberg Limits Test

Atterberg limits test calculates the water present in the fine-grained soil. Atterberg limits are liquid, plastic, and shrinkage limits. With these tests, the consistency of the water is calculated.

5. Proctor's Compaction

Proctor's compaction test finds out the compaction in soil, and compaction means removing air space by the densification method. It determines the optimum moisture content present in the soil to maintain dry Density in the soil. Compaction is measured in terms of the dry Density of soil.

6. Permeability test etc

Permeability determines water flow through the soil, and it is important to know how soil reacts to heavy rains and floods. The permeability test is done in two ways they are:

• Falling head method - fine-grained soil
• Constant head method - coarse-grained soil

What to do when results are bad?

When all the results are not upto the mark then immediately consult the engineer and ask him what are the necessary steps to take. There are remedy methods for every problem and by following those methods we can improve the soil quality and move on to construct. If the results are pretty bad and it is not fit for construction it's better to leave the place and search for a better place. Home is just not a place to live. We create memories, share our happiness and enjoy every moment there, so find a perfect place for your home.

Conclusion:

There are many different types of soil tests for construction. They are required for building construction to identify the strength of soil. The type of soil test required will depend on the type of building being constructed. It is important to consult with a professional before beginning any construction project to ensure that the proper tests are conducted.