Sustainability has become the new buzzword in conversations about everything from food production to more efficient transport methods. While sustainability is easier to achieve in some industries than others, the good news is that every sector can implement some form of best practices to contribute to sustainability.
It may sound unusual to consider sustainability in industries such as construction, especially since the primary goal is to alter the environment as it appears in its natural form. However, several practices such as the effective soil testing Melbourne engineers are implementing go a long way to adopting a more eco-friendly approach.
What is Geotechnical Engineering?
Geotechnical engineering can be defined as a specialised type of civil engineering that studies and analyses the characteristics of soil, especially where a new build is planned. Assessing the soil’s interaction with its environment and potential building materials enables geotechnical engineers to develop strategies and techniques that ensure stable and durable builds.
Australia has a very diverse geology, which includes everything from rocky terrains to clay soils and rich, sandy coastal plains. This means that the right types of soil tests are essential to prevent structural failures and enhance overall construction designs. The issuing of the necessary building permits is dependent on successful soil tests, which make them a key aspect of every prospective build.
Sustainability is Always Possible
Sustainable construction has become a huge focus point in Australia’s building industry. As with other areas of sustainability, the primary goal is to decrease national and local carbon footprints. This also includes building eco-friendly structures and protecting natural resources as far as possible.
The geotechnical engineering sector also works with construction companies to meet Australia’s sustainability goals by adopting the following processes:
- Performing advanced soil tests and analysis
- Recommending and adopting soil enhancement methods
- Making use of sustainable materials
These processes are done to ensure that the new structures are built on secure and sustainable foundations. In addition to this, many sustainable practices are implemented to ensure that every aspect of the build causes the least harm to the environment possible. Here are a few of the more common techniques used.
1. Encourage Efficient Site Selection and Better Land Use
The first step involves having the geotechnical engineering team select building sites where building can take place with as little environmental impact as possible. Finding the most suitable locations is done by conducting detailed soil tests and site analysis.
The correct types of soil tests will reduce the following harmful practices:
- Expensive earthworks
- Damage to local ecosystems
- Unnecessary land disturbance, which damages soil structure
2. Switch the Focus From Ground Replacement to Improvement
More traditional building techniques may require weak soil to be removed and replaced with more efficient sand types. However, this option has proven to be harmful to local ecosystems. This means that geotechnical engineers have switched from a replacement to an improvement mindset.
Rather than ship in tons of suitable soil, engineers will use modern techniques to improve the existing soil. Some of these techniques include the following:
- Geosynthetics: This technique focuses on increasing soil strength while at the same time maintaining natural resources.
- Lime and stabilisation: Here, the experts will focus on adding lime to cement to make the material more stable.
- Biocementation: This innovative technique involves using bacteria to enhance soil in the most natural way possible.
3. Design and Create Sustainable Foundations
Traditional Australian buildings required deep foundations constructed using excessive amounts of steel and concrete. While these components are robust building materials, they are known for having a major carbon footprint, making them more harmful than good.
Fortunately, a few sustainable alternatives being used include the following:
- Floating foundations: These require minimal construction, which in turn creates less damage to the environment.
- Screw piles: This refers to a foundation type that’s driven into the ground using rotational force and are commonly used in areas with challenging or weak soil conditions.
- Timber piles: These are long, thin, wooden poles which are driven into the ground to support the new build. Poles are sustainably resourced to maintain an eco-friendly approach.
4. Focus on Extensive Erosion Control
Soil erosion caused by poor building techniques can have a devastating effect on the environment. Engineers will counter this by implementing the following:
- Specialised designs to control rainwater, flooding, and soil erosion.
- Bioengineered slopes in hill-prone areas lead to more effective runoff control and also reduce the pressure on local drainage systems.
- Install permeable surface roadways and retention reservoirs to conserve water and minimise wasteful runoff.
All building efforts are centred around protecting the soil in the environment where the new structure is going to stand. This will go a long way toward ensuring sustainability as well as a stable and safe build.
Final Thoughts
Sustainability is always possible, no matter what industry you’re working in. The various best practices put in place by the geotechnical engineering sector are evidence of this. Some of the more common practices include efficient land use, ground improvement, and creating sustainable foundations that are built to last in the most eco-friendly way possible. And it all starts with a simple soil test!
