The basics of soil testing

Scott Lidster of Australian Earth Training provides the dirt on dirt.

If you're in the earthmoving game, you've probably heard a fair bit about soil testing.

But what's it all about, really? Think of soil testing as the foundation of your project - quite literally. Before you start shifting dirt or laying down concrete, you need to know what you're dealing with beneath the surface.

I caught up with Matt Neville, acting GM and Lab Manager at Benchmark Geotechnical, to learn more about the "Dirt Doctor" game!

Why bother with soil testing?

You might be thinking "Why do I need to test the soil? It's just dirt, right?"

Well, not exactly. The soil on your site can make or break your project. Whether you're building a road, setting up a structure, or digging out a trench, the type of soil underfoot matters.

Imagine laying a foundation on soil that's prone to sinking or cracking.

Not good, is it? Soil testing helps you suss out any potential issues before they become fullblown disasters.

It tells you things like how much load the soil can handle, how well it drains, and whether it's likely to shift around when wet.

It's about being prepared, so you're not caught off guard halfway through the job.

Soil testing conducted during the project also provides quality assurance of the works you're performing allowing the completed project to be signed off and moved onto the next step leaving you with peace of mind.

The key tests you'll need

Now, let's get into the nitty-gritty of what soil tests you might come across. First up, primarily before any works are conducted or even designs are finalised, soil classifications are performed.