Your guide to Soil Classification
Why the “Dirty” details matter
The soil beneath your home has a major impact on the structural integrity of your home. It is for this reason, investigating your Soil class is one of the very first steps we take in making sure your home stands the test of time.
When to get my soil test?
For some, you may have already investigated soil type after or during the purchase of your land, others may be looking to have their builder investigate. In any case, getting your soil test at the beginning of your Home building journey allows you to get ahead of any potential cost and continue your building process moving along.
What we use the soil test for?
Once your soil class has been determined, your home will be engineered specifically for your site. Footing and Foundation Plans will be compiled for the best structural solutions, and where required, effluent dispersal planning will also be calculated and designed for.
How is Soil Class Determined?
During on site Investigations, our Geotechnical Services take samples of your soil in four Locations of your site to be tested. From here your soil is subjected to a number of test and it is determined which Soil Class your site is.
As you can see in the table below, all Soil Classes have a value of reactivity between wet to dry conditions.
Class S (10-20mm) Slightly reactive clay sites. May experience slight ground movement as a result of moisture changes.
Class M (20-40mm) Moderately reactive clay or silt sites. May experience moderate ground movement as a result of soil conditions and moisture changes.
Class H1 / H1-D (40-60mm) Highly reactive clay sites. May experience a high amount of ground movement as a result of soil conditions and moisture changes.
Class H2 / H2-D (60-75mm) Highly reactive clay sites. May experience a high amount of ground movement as a result of soil conditions and moisture changes.
Class E / E-D (75mm+) Extremely reactive sites. May experience extreme amounts of ground movement as a result of soil conditions and moisture changes.
Class P Problem sites. The ability of the soil to evenly bear a load is very poor. Sites may be classified as 'Class P' as a result of mine subsidence, landslip, collapse activity or coastal erosion (e.g. dunes), soft soils with a lack of suitable bearing, cut and/or filled sites, or creep areas.
No matter the result of your soil Class result, a Soil report is required for all New Home building constructions. Getting these results back will allow us to provide an accurate quote by adjusting for any additional foundation costs.
To start your building journey, get in touch with the team at Kleidon Masterbuilt Homes.
Call us on 07 41 528 367 or drop by our Display Home at 1 She Oak Boulevard, Bargara.
