Pardon me if this has already been asked as I wasn't able to find a related topic but would anyone be able to tell me more about the so-called "rational soil analysis" as an alternative to a soil analysis and report as usually performed by engineering companies here in South Florida? One of my bidding companies, that I am considering as the likely choice, is telling me that they wouldn't request a soil report from me (~$900 savings) as they have engineers who can do the "rational soil analysis". My home is at an elevation of ~7-8 feet and in a non-flood zone. Should I still order a soil report? Is "rational soil analysis" also based on deep boring?
Soil boring report vs rational soil analysis
- Thread starter lakeridgian
- Start date
-
- Tags
- boring report soil south florida
- May 3, 2014
- 62,717
- Pool Size
- 6000
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
Sorry you have not received any response. Your question is pretty specific to an area and their requirements. Let's see if this bump helps you get some advice.
Follow up to my question - The pool company which told me that they would do the "rational soil analysis" were actually referring to the "soil bearing capacity certificate", as in they are able to analytically interpolate and produce such a certificate based on the previous pool building and excavation across homes in my neighborhood. Im not sure if its a reliable method and if I should still hire the engineering company to do the soil boring and produce a subsoil investigation report from it, at least for my peace of mind.
I’m not a geotechnical engineer nor do I live in Florida.
A proper “pool specific” geotechnical report will provide much more information than just bearing capacity.
Some questions to consider:
Are most pools in your area built using a geotechnical report?
Are pools in your area built on helical piles, piers, chemical stabilization, on void forms, or other non-standard construction?
Does your site have a large slope or retaining wall?
Are there large trees in the proposed pool site?
Does the structural engineer have an opinion on the matter?
This is a difficult question to answer because ultimately it’s a question of personal risk (and location specific). Is $900 out of an $60,000+ project worth your piece of mind?
A properly designed pool should decrease the chance of future structural issues, but you are never guaranteed to have a 0% chance of issues. Good luck in your decision.
A proper “pool specific” geotechnical report will provide much more information than just bearing capacity.
Some questions to consider:
Are most pools in your area built using a geotechnical report?
Are pools in your area built on helical piles, piers, chemical stabilization, on void forms, or other non-standard construction?
Does your site have a large slope or retaining wall?
Are there large trees in the proposed pool site?
Does the structural engineer have an opinion on the matter?
This is a difficult question to answer because ultimately it’s a question of personal risk (and location specific). Is $900 out of an $60,000+ project worth your piece of mind?
A properly designed pool should decrease the chance of future structural issues, but you are never guaranteed to have a 0% chance of issues. Good luck in your decision.
