Top 3 Types of Soil Tests for Construction

It is essential to test the soil while building any construction. 

No construction project can be developed if the soil is not tested and investigated in the first place. 

It actually determines if the soil is suitable and in good condition, for the construction, you are planning. 

It also projects the presence of groundwater in the construction area.

There are different types of soil testing available. They are performed in terms of your construction type and the properties of the soil. 

After that, you can have the design and architecture of your construction.

Moisture Content Test: This test is performed to determine the water level in the soil. It is a very important test for any sort of building construction. 

Several methods are used to perform this test, for example, the oven-drying method (mostly used), torsion balance method, calcium carbide method, sand bath method, etc.

Most of these methods are performed by weighing the soil sample and drying them out in a particular heat. 

Then the result is weighed out again and the before and after weights are inspected to see the differences.

Specific Gravity Test: This test ensures the density of the water to the ratio of the density of any substance. 

There are several methods as well, including the density bottle method, gas jar method, Pycnometer method, measuring flask method, etc. 

Among all, the density bottle and Pycnometer methods are used the most.

Dry Density Test: This test determines the weight of soil particles found out from the given sample. 

The void ratio and the specific gravity of the soil are responsible for the value. It determines the soil be as dense or loose completely. 

Three main methods are used to do this test: core cutter, sand replacement, or water displacement. The sand replacement and core cutter methods are most commonly used.

Along with the soil test, there are more tests to ensure the site is suitable enough to make the construction. For example, CBR testing (The Californian Bearing Ratio) is done to investigate the subgrade strength of the pavement.