THE FOUNDATION & FOOTINGS SOCIETY (Vic) Inc.

Reg. No A0025791G

PRACTICE NOTE No. 4

INVESTIGATION OF CLAY SITES

21. INTRODUCTION
The following is a discussion of site conditions and test methods to be used by members of FFSV for
residential sites that predominantly contain a clay soil profile.
These include CLASS M, CLASS H1, CLASS H2, CLASS H1D, CLASS H2D and CLASS E sites.
This Practice Note should be read in conjunction with all other relevant Practice Notes.
The Investigation may lead to a CLASS P classification for reason of abnormal moisture conditions in
the clay, however the additional investigation that may be required is covered in Practice Note 5.
Note that when a new house is to replace an old recently demolished house that had a different
footprint, then even if there are no trees on or near the site, it is almost certain that pre-existing soil
moisture conditions are abnormal, and the site should be classified as CLASS P rather than CLASS
H1 or CLASS H2 etc. AS2870-2011 puts the onus on the Classifier to identify such pre-existing
moisture conditions.
The matters addressed in the testing and reporting of these sites are not limited to this Practice Note.
For these sites, factors to be considered in investigation, assessment and reporting include the
following:

Identification of soil profiles

Highly expansive clays
Layers of soft carbonate in lime-rich soils
Poor drainage or drying effects of vegetation
Soil moisture conditions and identification of Abnormal Moisture Conditions (AMC)

Note that for CLASS H or higher reactivity sites, AS 2870-2011 requires a qualified engineer to be
involved in the design process, and site drainage design is required.

22.

HIGHLY EXPANSIVE CLAYS

High plasticity clays move because seasonal (and environmental) moisture variations cause shrink and
swell of the soil. The amount of soil shrinkage or swell can be amplified in drought or flood
conditions, or by environmental wetting and drying agents such as leaking pipes, and trees or heating
coils in slabs, respectively. Thus good site drainage and roof storm-water drainage is essential to help
maintain equilibrium soil moisture.
Expansive soils can also be highly erodible, and the comments in Practice Note No. 3 on this issue
apply to such sites.

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Layers or lenses of carbonate are often found in lime rich volcanic soils. These layers are often just
above bedrock in volcanic clays and are permeable, allowing water to penetrate to depth, and
speeding up any potential soil swell.
In sloping sites which are cut and filled, the near-surface soils are often used as fill to create a level
construction bench for the house. High plasticity clay used for this purpose may experience more, or
different, ground movement than the clay in its natural undisturbed state, leading to differential
movement and possible slab cracking at the cut/fill line.

If the fill is over-compacted and placed dry of optimum, it may swell more than the natural
ground, when wetted up;

Alternatively, if the fill is uncompacted or poorly compacted it is likely to settle when wetted
up, while the natural ground swells more than usual because of removal of the cracked zone;

It is recommended that footings of all houses constructed on cut-fill benches penetrate the fill and
found in competent natural ground.
Note that if the Classifier is using an estimate of ys to make or support the Site Classification, then the
ys estimate may be in considerable error if the site is later subject to cut or fill. The investigator should
always ASK (if possible) what earthworks are planned, or QUALIFY the estimated ys value in the
report.
Since erosion is a common problem in sloping sites, features such as soil wash outs, piping, erosion
furrows, surface hollows, collapsed soil banks and presence of water can be indicative of the presence
of erodible soils. If you happen to be on site while excavation or filling is under way, observations
and notations of this process may prove valuable and may be included in the report.

23. ABNORMAL MOISTURE CONDITIONS

The drying effect of trees must be considered in the Classification procedure, although
recommendations on the protection of buildings from these effects in not usually the responsibility of
the investigator.
There are many sites that do not require extensive testing to indicate Abnormal Moisture Conditions.
For example sites with soaks, large or densely growing trees, dense vegetation, or re-developed sites.
However Classification as CLASS P is only the first step and does not necessarily provide
information for design of the footings
If investigation of a clay site finds that abnormal moisture condition ARE LIKELY TO or DO exist,
the site should be classified as CLASS P.
In Clause 2.4.1, AS 2870- 2011 states essentially that when a site investigation has found abnormal
moisture conditions that lead to a CLASS P site classification, but has not sufficient information for
design of a footing system, than a recommendation shall be made regarding further investigation.
Additional investigation work may also be carried out simultaneously with the first investigation.
If AMC is caused by trees, a more detailed investigation may be needed as per Practice Note No. 5
and advice given within the stated limitations of this Note.

24. BACKGROUND RESEARCH

During the investigation prior site conditions should be considered. Where feasible, contact could be
made with previous owners, local authorities or well established locals. For some sites, maps and
aerial photographs (Google Earth, Near Map) may be available. Knowledge of past performance of
similar structures with known footing systems may be considered. Observation of topography,
damaged fences and undulating road surfaces may often indicate the extent of reactive clay issues.
The presence of fill is one of the most important distinctions in each site classification report.
Background research may provide assistance with the determination of existing filling. Research can
occur while approaching the site by observing topography, condition of fences and roads, sewer
excavations and site or road cuts.

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The site classifier must make a reasonable effort to determine the properties and variability of the soil
profiles and environmental conditions as appropriate.
Additional information can be gained from the knowledge and experience of colleagues working in
the area, geological maps and Australian and International papers on expansive clay behaviour.
Some Society members have reported that in semi arid and arid climates the foundation depth
recommended in AS 2870 for stump footings in M-D sites has failed, therefore a floor re-levelling
system or deeper founding depth should be suggested.

25. OBSERVATIONS
Notes should be taken while on site. An Observation Form may help standardize this process.
Reminders of the important features to be observed can be included in such a form and would
generally include the following:

Site and local topography flat, gentle, moderate, steep;

Site sketch showing significant features (trees, drains, fill, rock, buildings etc.);
Vegetation (on site and neighbouring) - trees, stumps, grub holes ;
Details of surrounding trees; as a minimum, tree height and distance from house. For
trees that are identified as potentially causing AMC, refer Practice Note 5)
Erosion features such as soil wash outs, piping, erosion furrows, surface hollows,
collapsed soil banks and presence of water
Cracks in ground surface.

In young volcanic profiles, surface or shallow rocks (floaters) are a common problem. Other than an
investigation problem these are also a construction problem. The presence of rock may be useful for
the builder and/or engineer to know about.
Steep slopes may be unstable, especially in the higher rainfall areas and require a special investigation
and possibly a Risk Assessment Report as per AGS 2007.
A site photo can be a record of the site conditions at the time of investigation which may help with
future reference.

26. BOREHOLES AND TESTING

The recommended field investigation plan for clay sites is given in Table 9.
TABLE 9: RECOMMENDED FIELD INVESTIGATION PLAN

Description

Comments

Profile logging **

Three* per building site. The minimum is one

hole to a depth below the surface or below the
depth of cutting where known at the time of site
classification equal to 0.75 Hs, but not less than
1.5m, unless rock is encountered.

Sampling or field hand examination

Describe each soil type encountered.

Soil moisture condition

Describe by tactile examination.

Bearing capacity

Penetration Tests (See Tables 4 and 10)

Trees and/or tree roots

Refer to Practice Note No. 5.

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*
Three test holes per building site are recommended as a minimum statistical average
for a typical residential city allotment. Test locations may be reduced for multiple lot testing
or small building extensions. The Classifier should consider the variability of the soil
profiles and environmental conditions in determining the number and locations for profile
logging and testing.
**

Profile logging may include boreholes, excavated pits, existing excavations and existing soil
faces.

Soil index tests or similar may be required to interpret the relevance of any measured soil moisture
contents.
Deeper testing is generally required in the drier climatic zones. Some research has suggested that in
Class E-D sites in arid climates the depth of soil drying can be up to 6 metres.
To estimate undrained cohesion of cohesive soils, the following approximate correlation with
Dynamic Cone Penetrometer and Pocket Penetrometer readings may be used.
TABLE 10: DCP and PP CORRELATIONS WITH Cu
DCP Blows/300mm

PP Reading (kPa)

Consistency

Undrained
Cohesion (kPa)

<3

25-50

Soft

12-25

3-5

50-100

Firm

25-50

5-10

100-200

Stiff

50-100

10-20

200-400

Very Stiff

100-200

>20

>400

Hard

>200

TABLE 4: (From Practice Note No.1) CONSISTENCY TERMS COHESIVE SOILS

Term
Very Soft

Undrained
Shear strength
<12kPa

Field Guide to Consistency

Pocket
Penetrometer
Exudes between the fingers when squeezed ---------in hand

Soft

12 to <25kPa

Can be moulded by light finger pressure <50kPa

and easily penetrated several centimetres
by the thumb

Firm

25 to <50kPa

Can be moulded by strong finger pressure. 50 100 kPa

Readily indented by thumb with moderate
effort

Stiff

50 to <100kPa

Cannot be moulded by fingers, but 100 200 kPa

indented by thumb with great effort

Very Stiff
Hard

100 to <200kPa
>200kPa

Readily indented by thumb nail

200 400 kPa

Can be indented with difficulty by thumb >400 kPa

nail

ooOoo
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