Wagga
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Griffith
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Albury
If your building site is not connected to council sewer mains, you will need a “Land Capability Assessment” (also referred to as an Effluent Disposal Assessment) to ensure your septic system is designed appropriately for the underlying soil profile. The application of effluent to land requires careful consideration and expertise, with new builds under closer scrutiny than in days past. ARTL consults with all local councils to ensure compliance during the design phase. We also regularly undertake assessments of existing systems, so if you suspect your system is failing, or if you have any questions about your septic system, please don’t hesitate to call!
Land Capability Assessments can be undertaken during a Site Classification in order to save on travel and mobilisation costs.
ARTL uses proprietary nutrient and water balance modelling, developed with interpolated weather data over the past 25 years. This allows our Geotechnical Engineers to provide a site specific report with detailed recommendations to ensure a cost-efficient and long-lasting septic system whilst protecting the environment.
Our Engineers have an incomparable level of knowledge and experience across the local region, and can provide detailed designs for all approved Australian systems, including:
Our experienced Geotechnicians are trained to carry out a variety of field testing to cover your construction site requirements.
Bearing Capacity Assessments (BCA) are undertaken to ensure the soil foundation is capable of supporting the proposed loading, whether it is low loading (Residential Dwelling) or high loading (200t Crane / Piling Rig). The ultimate and allowable bearing capacity of soils is a complex concept which requires expert knowledge of soil mechanics, taking into account the particle size distribution, cohesion, density, moisture content, and depth of the underlying soils.
Coarse grained soils (sand and gravel blends) are best assessed using Plate Load Testing, and fine grained soils (silts and clays) are best assessed using a Dynamic Cone Penetrometer (DCP).
DCP testing is commonly undertaken at the base of pad and strip footing excavations and can even be used to assess the base of pier footings using casing (3.0m max test depth). Bearing Capacity Assessments are also regularly undertaken at the location of crane outriggers to ensure the soil can safely support the crane working loads.
Soils can become contaminated from a multitude of sources, therefore it is incredibly difficult to determine if soil is ‘clean’ or ‘contaminated’ purely by a visual assessment. If excess soil material is to be exported or imported to a site, it will require laboratory testing for contaminants of concern, and a subsequent ‘Waste Classification’. ARTL can provide ‘Material Classification Reports’ on in-situ material before it is excavated, or on stockpiled material after excavation. Common terminology includes VENM, ENM, GSW, RSW, HW, Clean Fill, Category D, CAT4.
ARTL work in accordance with the relevant authorities and guidelines (NSW EPA and VIC EPA) and are ready to assist at short notice. We also conduct assessment across all local quarries to ensure that the crushed rock material being exported is of natural origin and no contamination has occurred during the material processing.
Some sites may require specialised testing outside of the regular state guidelines, such as Australian Defence Force sites. ARTL work closely with Defence and conduct PFAS assessments for soil categorisation and re-use.
Plate Load Testing uses the weight of site machinery to exert a load on the soil by use of a hydraulic jack. The surface deflection (settlement) is monitored throughout the test duration (40 minutes) and graphed to provide settlement modulus values, which can then be used to provide a Bearing Capacity Assessment. Our Geotechnical Engineers utilise the German-built HMP Pro Digital Static Plate Load Tester to provide fast and precise results. To achieve the maximum load with the hydraulic jack, a minimum 5 tonne axle weight is required.
The classification of a building site is one of the most important steps for owners and builders looking to construct their new home. The classification of a site is dependent on a multitude of factors, therefore it is crucial to have this undertaken by a suitably qualified person.
Our Qualified Geotechnical Engineers have been providing detailed Site Classification reports in accordance with AS 2870 in NSW, ACT and VIC for over 25 years.
Depending on the type of build, your site classification and subsequent footing design may be governed by the reactivity of the underlying clay, presence of shallow bedrock, loose sands, steep slopes, or high water tables. The presence of trees can also be a major factor in classifying a site, as the tree-induced drying effect can cause excessive movement and cracking, if the foundations are not designed accordingly.
If your building site is not connected to council sewer mains, you will need a “Land Capability Assessment” (also referred to as an Effluent Disposal Assessment) to ensure your septic system is designed appropriately for the underlying soil profile. This can be performed in conjunction with the Site Classification in order to save on travel and mobilisation costs.
Aitken Rowe Testing Laboratories Pty Ltd is the leading provider of testing and certification of fill placement in Southern NSW. Using state of the art nuclear density gauges, ARTL work hand-in-hand with developers and contractors to ensure the best possible outcome for the site. The core components of Level 1 Fill Certification are listed below:
ARTL is Nata Accredited in over 130 individual test methods for construction materials. Samples can either be delivered to our laboratories for analysis, or our experienced Geotechnicians can attend site and undertake sampling in accordance with the appropriate standards (AS 1289.1.1 / AS 1141.3.1 / T100).
In addition to our NATA Accredited Laboratories, ARTL also employs a number of in-house qualified Geotechnical Engineers. Our Engineers provide high quality Geotechnical Investigation reports for a number of projects and fields, including the following:
Our Geotechnical Engineers also offer specialised testing and advice including the following:
