Melbourne · Victoria

Geotechnical engineering, from fieldwork to report

Urban Soil Test is a geotechnical consulting practice providing high-quality geotechnical services for residential and commercial / industrial developments across Melbourne and Victoria.

Solid flight auger with layered soil samples freshly retrieved from a Melbourne geotechnical borehole

About

We read the ground so your design doesn't have to guess.

Our geotechnical engineers undertake all geotechnical investigations from fieldwork to reporting. With extensive experience in the industry and in-depth knowledge of Melbourne and Victorian geology, we are committed to delivering clear, concise geotechnical engineering reports — helping you select the most appropriate and cost-effective solution for your design and construction project, with fast turnaround times so your project stays on schedule.

Weathered siltstone core recovered from an auger bucket on a Melbourne site
Extremely weathered rock recovered during augering
U63 undisturbed tube sample of stiff clay taken on site
U63 undisturbed tube sampling
Core trays showing basalt and clay core runs logged from 6.0 m to 10.0 m depth
Rock core samples

Our services

What we do on site and on paper

Geotechnical site investigation and assessment

  • Site Classification (soil testing) to AS2870-2011 “Residential slab and footing” for subdivisions, new dwellings, multi-unit developments, alterations and extensions, in-ground pools, decks, garages and sheds
  • Investigations for pavement, shallow footing, deep foundation and retaining / basement retention wall design — industrial warehouses, multi-storey apartments, dwellings with basements
  • Landslip Risk Assessments for Erosion Management Overlay (EMO)
  • Slope stability assessment

Site inspection

  • Footing inspection to confirm founding material and in-situ bearing capacities meet design requirements
  • Piling inspection, including logging excavated soil and rock to confirm founding materials meet pile design requirements
  • Proof rolling for subgrade or engineered fill

Geotechnical field testing and services

  • Dynamic cone penetrometer (DCP) testing to assess in-situ shear strength for sands and clays
  • Percolation testing to provide hydraulic conductivity for stormwater system design
  • Footing exposure or footing probes to investigate existing footing type, founding depth and material
  • Site spot levels based on an arbitrary point or known RL

Drilling service

  • Solid flight auger
  • Disturbed and undisturbed soil sampling
  • Standard Penetration Test (SPT)

Why choose us

Why choose Urban Soil Test?

  • All work is carried out by qualified geotechnical engineers
  • Members of Engineers Australia and the Australian Geomechanics Society
  • Chartered Professional Engineer, listed on the National Engineering Register (NER), Registered Professional Engineer Victoria
  • Professional Indemnity and Public Liability coverage
  • Clear, easy-to-read reports with fast turnaround times to keep your project on schedule
  • Friendly, responsive and comprehensive service, from first enquiry through to final report

Get in touch

Get in touch for a quote

For a free, no-obligation quote, send us an email with your site address and any drawings or plans you have available — we'll come back to you promptly with next steps.