A solid foundation is the most crucial aspect of any new build. Whether you’re planning a swimming pool, residential home, or commercial structure on your open land, your first priority should always be to create the best possible foundation to create support and stability for whatever you’re going to build there.
The geotechnical engineering team assigned to your build will always begin the project with all the extensive soil testing Melbourne regulations require. The goal of these tests is to identify the various soil characteristics in the ground under your build. Results here will help your engineers choose the best foundation for your build. This post takes a look at one of the more common options, foundation piling.
What is Foundation Piling?
Essentially, foundation piling is a modern building technique that focuses on providing stability to the intended structure. This happens when piles, usually square or cylindrical columns, are driven into the surrounding ground at specific locations around the building. The goal is to support the intended structure’s weight.
Foundation piling is one of the more common techniques used around Australia and is especially common in areas that have varying soil conditions. In some instances, local building standards and codes combined with the soil type are the deciding factor in whether or not this process will be selected.
Understanding How Various Soil Types Affect Foundation Piling
One of the most crucial aspects that determines whether or not foundation piling becomes the preferred choice is the type of soil in the area. This mainly has to do with how well the soil can bear the necessary load of a building and its contents.
The goal here is that the soil should hold the weight without deformation or excessive settlement. It’s essential to point out that not all soil types will hold weight and pressure as well as needed, which then makes it necessary to add the support columns. Here’s a closer look at how specific soil types can affect the choice to opt for foundation piling.
- Clay Soils
Typically, clay soils are very prevalent in many regions across Australia, which makes foundation piling a common go-to choice. The primary challenges caused by clay soils stem from their high moisture content and plasticity. Additionally, clay soils tend to expand when they get wet and then shrink a lot in drier conditions.
This process places considerable pressure on the foundation and can lead to cracking. Depending on the severity of the pressure, cracks may also start appearing in the walls and ceilings. Adding columns in the foundation strengthens the deeper soil to stabilise the building. Foundation piling is often a prerequisite for clay-rich areas, and this is regulated by the Building Code of Australia.
- Loam and Silt Soils
Whether you’re gardening or building, loam and silt soils are always deemed to be the most favourable. This has to do with the balanced composition in this soil type. With excellent bearing capacity, this soil type doesn’t usually require foundation piling.
Keep in mind that your engineering team may still choose these building techniques, especially if you’re planning to build a taller or heavier structure. In this instance, the added columns will enhance long-term stability.
- Sandy Soils
Another soil that you may think is a viable option for traditional building in sandy soil is because of its well-draining properties. However, this stand-out feature may cause the soil to lack the cohesive properties needed to support heavier or taller structures.
Since sandy soils are loose, they can increase the likelihood of foundation settling, which leads to the building sinking into the ground. Foundation piling is an essential technique for adding support to the building.
- Gravel Soils
Another quality soil that’s well known for its high bearing capacity and excellent drainage is the gravel soil type. Builders generally enjoy working in this soil because of its stability. In these instances, traditional foundations may be more than adequate.
Gravel soils don’t always guarantee that your engineer will only settle for a traditional option. Ultimately, whether or not the foundation piling is done depends on factors such as the unique project specifications, weight, and size of the building. The purpose of your building can also be a deciding factor in whether or not foundation piling is done, no matter how stable the soil is.
A typical example of this is when a multi-story parking structure is planned. When these structures are full of cars, their weight could be quite enormous and can result in added pressure to the foundation. To overcome this, foundation piling will be recommended.
Final Thoughts
The types of soil on your proposed build site are essential to determine whether foundation piling will be required. Here, you want to keep in mind that clay soils can present settlement issues, making the addition of columns into the foundation a must.
Loam and silt soils, on the other hand, offer a much better load-bearing capacity, which makes it less likely to require foundation piling. Despite this, each project remains subject to various site-specific evaluations to make the final assessment.
