Soil Conditions & Subgrade Preparation

Structures made of concrete are some of the most permanent made by man. However, it is vital that the ground upon which these structures are built is properly prepared. If you’ve ever used a shovel to dig a hole, you’ve probably noticed that no two holes are alike. Sometimes the soil is soft and it’s easy to fill the shovel full of dirt. At another site you might not be able to penetrate more than an inch or two. Variations in soil conditions have prompted builders to develop ways to test the soil and determine its suitability as a construction site. Even if unsuitable soil conditions are found to exist, builders have developed ways of packing or compacting the soil until it can withstand the weight of a concrete building, bridge, or other structure.