Soil investigation: a prerequisite for effective foundation repair

To achieve a reliable result, it is not only important to have a thorough understanding of the foundation’s design, but also to have information about the nature and composition of the subsoil. For this reason, URETEK requests that you provide the building plans and the results of the ground investigation. Based on this information, we can determine the most suitable method for foundation levelling.

Soil investigation reports for foundation lowering

There are various techniques for investigating the mechanical properties of the subsoil. A distinction is made between the ‘static penetrometer test’ and the ‘dynamic penetrometer test’. ‘Static’ means that the probe (a metal tube with a tip of standardised dimensions) is hydraulically driven into the ground at a constant speed. The resistance encountered is measured and plotted on a graph, which constitutes the result of the probing. For harder soils, the dynamic test is used. Here, the probe is driven into the ground with a defined weight and from a defined drop height. The number of blows per 10 cm of depth is counted and also plotted on a graph: the result of the sounding per blow.

Example of a sounding result for soil injection

These tests provide a definitive answer regarding the mechanical properties of the subsoil. To gain a precise understanding of the nature of the subsoil (sand, clay, peat, etc.), its moisture content and the level of the water table, soil investigations must be carried out. During this process, soil samples are taken. A specialist laboratory then analyses the samples and determines the nature and moisture content of the soil. For URETEK, the availability of soil condition reports is often a prerequisite for accepting a contract for ground improvement. For soil analysis, we frequently collaborate with renowned geomechanical engineering firms to rule out any risks. Whilst our method is cost-effective, it does have its limitations and is not applicable in all cases.