Anyone planning a new build on or near a sloping terrain would have undoubtedly started researching the specific criteria needed to get the project started. This means that you may already be aware that aspects such as landslides and soil erosion are very real threats to areas with unstable soils.
Although both are typically classed as natural events, the soil testing Melbourne legislation requires is designed to assess how at risk your new build site is to experience them. The reality is that not planning for these events can lead to catastrophic property damage and complete infrastructure failure.
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Understanding Landslip Risk Assessment
How susceptible your new build site is to erosion and potential landslides can easily be determined by performing a series of soil tests on and around the area. The most common soil test to perform for this particular issue is the Landslip Risk Assessment.
The Landslip Risk Assessment tests for the following:
- Type of rock and soil: This determines how stable the soil and rocks are and identifies any weak components.
- Water drainage: Aspects such as groundwater levels and the general impact of rainfall and drainage are assessed. This is important because excessive water will weaken the soil and enhance the risk of soil erosion and landslides.
- Historical landslides: The records of previous landslides in the area are assessed to identify potential triggers. Knowing what these are is an effective way to assess the type of building techniques needed to strengthen foundations.
- Site conditions: The overall condition of the site is assessed, which includes slope steepness and existing retaining walls. Evidence of any past issues with instability is assessed.
- Environmental factors: The impact of human activities on the overall slope stability is assessed. These typically include regular development and deforestation.
How do Landslides Occur?
Landslides are also commonly referred to as landslips, occur when a large mass of rock, debris, or soil moves down a steep slope due to gravity. Numerous factors could potentially contribute to a landslide, such as:
- Weak soil
- Excessive rainfall
- Steep terrain
- Human activities such as excavation and construction
- Soil erosion (happens when water or wind removes topsoil, causing the ground to become unstable)
Prevention is Key When it Comes to Safeguarding Your New Build.
Landslip Risk Assessments can significantly help to reduce landslides as well as the soil erosion that occurs before a landslip event. Our experts share the most effective ways a
Landslip Risk Assessment can safeguard your build.
1. Identify as Many Potential Vulnerable Areas as Possible
The most effective way this assessment can safeguard your build starts with identifying the areas of the property that seem to be most vulnerable to any degree of soil erosion and landslides. Since soil erosion is often viewed as a precursor to landslide activity, it’s crucial to test for this as well.
By testing aspects such as vegetation cover, soil composition, groundwater conditions and slope of the land, your geotechnical team can expose potential risk factors. Early identification of high-risk issues will enable your construction team to opt for preventative building techniques.
2. Analyse Soil and Ground Stability
To prevent landslides, your geotechnical team should analyse the soil stability on and around the slope. This is essential because loose or weak or loose soils are more likely to move under pressure. Keep in mind that this test is crucial in any areas that feature steep slopes.
Regular soil testing is done to measure and assess the composition, strength, and moisture content of the soil. Having an idea of how the soil behaves under specific conditions will help developers create stronger, more effective drainage systems and foundations. These will go a long way toward reducing potential soil erosion.
3. Assess Current Water Drainage
Poor drainage systems in the area, combined with instances of heavy rainfall, are two very important contributors to soil erosion and the landslides that follow. Performing a Landslip Risk Assessment will establish how well the soil will be able to drain large quantities of water.
This means checking how well the site will hold up to potential flooding. Once these factors have been assessed, the geotechnical engineering team will design and implement the best drainage and water management systems to curb soil erosion and, in the process, reduce the likelihood of landslides.
The primary goal here is to amend and implement specialised building techniques to ensure your build has the support it needs to withstand any soil erosion issues that could lead to a landslide or even localised flooding.
Final Thoughts
If you’re planning a build in an area with a higher risk of landslide activity, then local law will require a Landslip Risk Assessment to be done. Tests and assessments such as these can go a long way toward supporting structures, no matter how big or small. Understanding how at-risk your build is being affected by a landslide will allow for the techniques needed to strengthen your foundations and structure for long-term survival.
