Soil and Concrete Test - Report Example

BRIEF ASSESSMENT WORK SOIL & CONCRETE TEST REPORT GUIDANCE BRIEF ASSESSMENT WORK SOIL & CONCRETE TEST REPORT GUIDANCE Part 1: Introduction The purpose of this report is to determine the viability of constructing a four-storey building (timber-framed hotel) without conducting any ground or soil investigations. Soil and concrete tests are necessary for evaluating the sustainability and feasibility of the construction. Soil investigation and analysis, as well as wet and hardened concrete testing will mainly help in determining the practicability of constructing a four-storey hotel building on the brownfield site (Wesley 2010, p. 190). The timber-framed building consists of 1.00 meter of man-made fill over 10 meters of hard clay on bedrock. The construction will also entail the use of untested site batched concrete for the foundation pads. This report was carried out on 14th January, 2015. Although most contractors often neglect the soil, it is the most important element for all construction projects. The nature of the soil is usually the basis of construction of virtually all structures, bridges, dams, and buildings (Wesley 2010, p. 190). The soil supports all investments and structures, serving as the natural foundation. Soil test is particularly useful to determine changing chemical and physical characteristics of soil. Such characteristics often vary from layer to layer and from place to place within the confines of the structure. Meanwhile, climate changes, site management, and the weather have a significant impact on the bearing qualities of soil (Wesley 2010, p. 190). Similarly, the chemical or mineral component might affect the choice of materials to be used in constructing the four-storey hotel building. Soil testing often takes place in a specialist lab. In general, geotechnical engineers and soil specialists undertake copious tests to establish sulphate, pH, carbonate, and chloride levels, as well as the organic limits and the clay sedimentation. The outcomes (or results) of the soil test investigation and analysis often form the basis of structural elements, as well as determine the soundness and viability of the project (Geosynthetics Asia 08 2008, p. 172). The results will also help to establish or determine if soil stabilization is needed for purposes of attaining recommended bearing capacity. The four-storey building might collapse or even rendered non-functional if the customer does not allow for proper soil investigation and analysis (Geosynthetics Asia 08 2008, p. 172). However, the design of the structure should match the conditions of the site. Overall, soil investigation and analysis report should be part of the hotel building approval requirements. Soil materials often play a vital role in the success of any construction project because it is arguably the primary structural foundation for virtually all construction. One of the critical functions of an element lab is to sample, analyze, and categorize soil materials, ostensibly utilizing the most recent industry, state, and federal standards (Wesley 2010, p. 190). Element soil laboratories often perform complex and sophisticated geotechnical soil testing methods, including hydrometer analysis, consolidation shrinkage tests, permeability, and unconfined strength triaxial shear. Structural engineers and element soil technicians perform identification and classification of material properties using sophisticated testing methods, including sieve analysis, organic content, density/moisture relationship, and Atterberg limits (Wesley 2010, p. 190). The key capabilities of element soil testing lab include shear strength testing, water content testing, consolidation testing, sieve analysis, hydrometer testing, and bearing capacity testing. Part 2: Soil Analysis Soil analysis will enable contractors to determine the suitability of the soil for construction of the timber-framed four storey building. The analysis will particularly facilitate the process of determining the nature and depth of the foundation, load sustenance capability, and the most appropriate construction technique (Potts 2001, p. 13). In addition, soil analysis will help to resolve and predict potential problems with the foundation, as well as to establish water table that vastly affect humidity within the foundation. Although the client has already selected the site of construction, geotechnical engineers and soil specialists will still analyze key properties of the soil, such as surface texture, permeability, depth of soil to bedrock, slope, erosion hazards, surface runoff, water table, and flood hazards (Potts 2001, p. 13). Surface texture refers to the amount or level clay, silt and sand in the soil. Permeability, on the other hand, is the rate at which water passes through or enters the soil. Slope refers to the length and steepness of the gradient. Erosion hazard denotes the level or amount of topsoil on the site currently and the potential for future losses. Meanwhile, surface runoff is the rate at which water flows from the construction site, based on the drainage, texture and slope. Water table refers to the depth of water in the soil permanently and seasonally. Lastly, flood hazard refers to the frequency at which water from storm runoff floods or inundates the construction site (Potts 2001, p. 13). A favorable soil property will pose slight limitations to construction and completion of the four storey timber-framed building. On the other hand, certain characteristics of the soil would create unfavorable conditions that would ultimately induce modification or correction of the construction plan. Limitations that result from unfavorable soil property fall under three distinct categories: moderate, severe, and very severe (Potts 2001, p. 13). Generally, the critical soil and construction site factors include surface texture, permeability, soil depth, erosion hazards; as well as surface runoff, shrink-swell, water table, and flood hazards. Surface Texture: The relative proportion of clay, silt and sand particles is the key determinant of soil texture. Clay soil, compared to sand and loamy, has exceptionally fine texture; hence buildings to be constructed on it (clay soil) would require unique design and planning (Potts 2001, p. 13). Loamy soil (medium) provides the best texture for gardening and landscaping because it absorbs water well and is easy to excavate. Lastly, sandy soil (course) is gritty hence buildings that are constructed on this soil may suffer erosion from the wind and water (Potts 2001, p. 13). However, sand is much easier to excavate. Besides, it absorbs water faster compared to clay and loamy soils. Permeability: It denotes the rate at which water moves through the soil. Soil specialists should conduct percolation tests (soil percolation tests) before making further plans regarding the construction of the building (Potts 2001, p. 13). Permeability could be categorized as rapid, moderate, slow, and very slow. Soils that allow rapid flow or movement of water into the ground often create slight or no limitations to foundations for storey buildings. On the contrary, soils, that extremely slow down water movement, are disaster in waiting, significantly affecting the stability of foundations of building under construction. In most cases, water movement in this condition is often Read More