Are you looking for a Geotechnical Site Classification
for your new house build?
We can help!
Before any construction starts on your site, you will need to have the soil on the site tested by a geotechnical engineer. The main reason for this is to understand how ‘reactive’ the soil is, and to ensure that there aren’t any hidden physical conditions on the site that might affect your building.
We will provide you with a ‘site classification’ in accordance with AS2870, from which your engineer or builder can design the house footings.
Contact us today
Feel free to call us on 02 9188 4033 to discuss a Geotechnical Site Classification. Or fill out the contact form below and we'll get in touch with you.
What Fortify Geotech do.
As part of preparing the report, Fortify Geotech Engineers check the soil conditions of the site by drilling one or two boreholes to about 1.5m depth, as well as a dynamic cone penetrometer (DCP) test if required.
Soil conditions are logged by an experienced geotechnical engineer, and the hole immediately backfilled upon completion. The holes would be drilled at/near the location of the proposed residence depending on access and location of underground services (Telstra, power, gas, water, sewer, etc.). More often than not, the fieldwork can be done within about a week of approval, allowing for underground services clearances, and our report would be issued soon thereafter, allowing 10 business days overall.
Scope of works
and cost
Site Classification Report
$1,100 +gst
Slope Stability and Risk Assessments
$1,000 +gst
Site Classification
Reports
Following sitework, Fortify Geotech provides a PDF copy of the report, which includes:
- Engineering logs of the boreholes & plan showing borehole & DCP locations
- Description of the site geology/subsurface conditions including existing fill, bedrock and groundwater
- Site classification to AS2870 and potential soil reactivity
- Recommend building footing types, founding strata and allowable bearing pressures
- Any other relevant geotechnical information, including excavation conditions (if a site cut is required), suitability of excavated material for use in controlled fill platforms and advise for construction of building platforms, stability of cut batters etc.
- Advise on site drainage
Fortify Geotech conducts site classifications all over NSW, however for standard residential developments, within the red circle on the map below, our estimate of fees and costs to carry out the investigation is $1,100 + GST. For site classifications with basements, pools or properties that lie outside this area, please feel free to give us a call for a quote.
Slope Stability and Risk assessments
Slope stability assessments are usually conducted in landslip prone areas and areas where the gradient of the site is greater than 18°. Many councils in NSW require residential and commercial properties to have a slope stability and risk assessment conducted by an experienced geotechnical engineer for Development Approval (DA).
Slope stability and Risk assessments involve a preliminary desktop and historical data study prior to attending the site. When on site, one of our experienced geotechnical engineers will ascertain a subsurface profile of the site by drilling and logging boreholes. The site data is then used to carry out a risk assessment using the Australian Geomechanics Society (AGS) Guidelines. When done in conjunction with a site classification, the additional cost for a slope stability risk assessment is $1000.00 + GST.
Testimonials
I have worked with Fortify Geotech on many challenging projects, and they have always delivered a comprehensive geotechnical report, with detailed investigation works and practical recommendations.
Fortify Geotech were able to use their technical expertise to enable the footing system to be optimised, significantly saving the client both time and money on the project.