Soil studies are mandatory before the construction of any house. Geology of the site is a procedure that allows you to determine whether it is possible to erect a building at all at a particular place and what type of foundation should be selected. Such an important indicator as the durability of the future building depends on how well all the necessary surveys are carried out.
The need for geological surveys
The geology of the site should be carried out before the design of the house. Otherwise, cracks may follow the foundation and walls. Living in such a building will not only be uncomfortable, but also unsafe. Most often, geological surveys on the site are done by professionals. Work is quite complicated technically and requiring special equipment.
Soil research
The first step is to inspect the site and its adjacent territories. Further, a program of further research is compiled. The next step is to start sampling. To do this, wells are drilled, the amount of which depends on the area of the site and the size of the future building. In addition, the geology of the site involves the implementation of such works as pressiometry, die tests, sounding, etc.
Next, the samples are delivered to the laboratory, where the actual research is carried out. Specialists determine such characteristics of the soil as weight, porosity, humidity, particle size distribution, degree of deformation, ductility, etc. The next step is to compare and analyze all the results. Charts, tables, and also summary reports of the conducted researches are made.
If as a result of research it turns out that the soil on the site is weak, additional measures will have to be taken to ensure the reliability of the support under the building. For example, use a pile foundation. In addition, the possibility of a landslide during the construction of a house on a difficult terrain is checked during geological surveys.
Ground water level
A very important stage of such an event as the geology of the construction site is the determination of the groundwater level. The importance of this item is also difficult to overestimate. If, say, an underground river flows underground on a site, you cannot build a house on it. The fact is that water will simply wash away the foundation. In addition, this is fraught with flooding of cellars and basement floors.
Calculation of possible shrinkage of the building
The geology of the site includes such an event as the calculation of shrinkage at home. In this case, the examination is carried out to determine how deeply the building will sink into the ground in the future.
Is it possible to conduct surveys on your own
Performing such work yourself is highly discouraged. Indeed, in this case, any mistake can be fraught with serious costs in the future. However, sometimes such studies are still carried out by the owners of the plots. In this case, you can save some money. How do the geology of the site do it yourself?
How to take soil samples on your own?
How exactly research should be carried out depends primarily on the size of the building. The main danger to the foundation is spring heaving and its unevenness. With the onset of cold weather, the water with which it is saturated expands. As a result, the soil presses on the walls of the foundation, squeezing it. The load can be up to 20 tons per meter. As a result of such pressure, the foundation may crack. Exactly the same situation arises in the process of shrinkage. If the ground is uneven, in one place the building will settle harder, in another less.
The geology of the land is carried out by drilling a garden drill. In the event that it is planned to build a one-story building, it will be enough to make pits below the depth of freezing of the soil. This indicator depends on the region in which the site is located. During the construction of a two-story house will have to drill wells with a depth of 3.5-4 meters. In the same case, if the project provides for a basement, independent research, most likely, will fail. The fact is that the required depth of wells in this case can reach up to 9 meters.
Among other things, a sufficient number of wells should be drilled. Usually pits are made in all corners of the future building from the inside. Soil samples are taken from every 30 cm of the well sinking. When the pit is drilled below the depth, this figure can be increased to 50 cm.
How to conduct soil research on your own?
The geology of the site, as already mentioned, is an incredibly responsible process. Therefore, it is still necessary to take the samples to the laboratory.
An independent study should be carried out only if this is not possible. This procedure includes the following steps:
- The sample is crushed, laid out on a sheet of paper and dried.
- Then it is sprayed with water and poured into a glass jar at ¼ of its height.
- The can is filled ¾ with water (taking into account the soil).
- Dishwashing liquid (1h / l) is added to the mixture.
- Next, the jar needs to be closed with a lid and shaken. Thus, the soil is divided into mineral components.
- Particles will gradually settle according to size. After 1 minute, the level of settled sand is noted on the glass. After 2 hours - silt. After the water becomes clear (3-7 days) - clay.
- At the final stage, the thickness of each layer is measured and the percentage of each type of sediment is calculated.
Geology of the site is a responsible process. Of course, you can do this work with your own hands. However, before taking the risk, it’s worth it to think carefully. Only the help of a specialist can guarantee the safety of a future task.