07/0616 - Response to Information Request [As Published] · 132007.616

Gerieral Recommendations for Builders/Owners:

Underground Services Where structures are built over uncontrolled fill, services will need to be
supported so that settlement of this fill does not cause them damage or cause incorrect alignment.

Plumbing Arrange plumbing fixtures so that the slab and beam penetrations are kept to a minimum
and where necessary sleeved to allow for movement with 40mm thick closed cell polythene or similar
material. Where the penetration is within 150mm of the base of a beam or footing, the depth of this
footing element should be deepened by approximately twice the diameter of the penetration. All plumbing
and drainage must comply with the requirements of the National Plumbing and Drainage Code.

Drainage The ground surrounding the building site must be graded and drained so that water is
shed away from the house area in all directions. Particular attention should be given to all drainage and
plumbing trenches so that they do not introduce water to the foundation soil, and destabilise the footings.
Correct drainage is an essential part of our recommendations and design. If the site is not prepared
correctly, excessive soil moisture may accumulate in some areas, which may lead to wall and/or floor
movements. Roof water should be diverted away for the building as soon as the roof is installed. Where
building delays occur, temporary downpipes may be necessary.

Bracing for Wind Forces Unless noted, we do not detail slab thickenings or pad footings to
conform to wind bracing. Where a bracing wall is to be bolted to a slab, 40mm bottom concrete cover
attained for a radius of 150mm is required around the bolts unless noted by other consultants.

Inspections:

We require 24 hours notice if you require engineers site inspections. Inspections can be booked between
8.30am and 4.30pm Monday to Friday by telephoning 07 5447 5544.

Site Classification: The site classification is calculated in accordance with the “AS2870-1996 Residential
slabs and footings-Construction” and relates to the estimation of Ys, “The characteristic surface
movement’ within reactive soil profiles. The limits used for this classification are as follows;

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Predicted Surface Movement | Class ]
Ys = <=20mm Ss Slight
Ys = >20- 40mm M Moderate
Ys = >40- 70mm H High
Ys => 70mm E Extreme
Problem sites P Problem

 

 

 

 

Foundation Maintenance and Owners Responsibilities

Trees and dense shrubs must be kept well away from the building. In all types of soil conditions, if an
automatic watering system irrigates within 2.5 meters of a footing, instability problems may occur, Water
should not be allowed to pond on the ground near the building.

Definitions:

Controlled Fill - Man placed soil which has sufficient bearing to support a structure according to AS
2870-1996. Fill certified at Level 1 according to AS 3798 is controlled fill.

Partially Controlled — Man placed soil which appears to have been compacted under controlled
conditions, but as the time of preparing this report, no compaction certificate suitable for compliance to
Level 1 of AS 3798-1996 had been presented.

Uncontrolled_Fill_= Man_placed_soil_(overlying_the_natural_soils)_which_is_not_adequate to support a
normally loaded footing or floor slab.

 

Unexcavatable Rock — Strong material including shaley materia! and strongly cemented sand or gravel
that does not soften in water or collapse under the combination of loading and wetting. Material that
cannot readily be excavated by a backhoe may be taken to be rock.

Excavatable Rock — A rock-like material which does not shrink or swell with changes in soi! moisture, but
is readily excavatable with a conventional backhoe.

SCG CONSULTING ENGINEERS 6 SCG Ref: 17177(S)