Level 1 earthworks inspection and testing gives project teams a documented basis for assessing whether site preparation and controlled fill placement have followed the approved earthworks specification. AETG can support Level 1 works across Greater Sydney and Brisbane through geotechnical inspection, field testing and reporting agreed for the project.
What is Level 1 testing?
Level 1 is a program of inspection and testing during earthworks. Under AS 3798, the geotechnical inspection and testing authority (GITA) needs sufficient involvement to form an opinion about the compliance of the work. That includes the condition of the ground before filling, the materials used, how fill is placed and compacted, and the results of the specified tests.
A density test at one location is only part of the picture. Level 1 relies on records made while the work is happening, so it should be arranged before site preparation and filling begin. The applicable edition of AS 3798, the design documents and the project specification determine the inspection and testing requirements for a particular site.
What can the program include?
The scope is set with the client and project team before work starts. Depending on the design and site conditions, AETG's Level 1 involvement may include:
- Reviewing the earthworks specification, proposed fill sources, construction sequence and hold points.
- Inspecting stripping and site preparation, including unsuitable material and exposed subgrade conditions.
- Observing fill material, layer thickness, moisture conditioning and compaction practices as filling progresses.
- Undertaking field density and other specified laboratory or site tests at locations and frequencies suited to the works.
- Recording observations, test locations, results, nonconformances and corrective work.
- Providing progress advice and a final report that states the basis, extent and limitations of the GITA's opinion on the documented works.
Where a test roll, proof roll or other inspection is specified, it can help identify areas needing further assessment. It does not replace the compaction tests or the records of fill placement required by the project.
Level 1 and Level 2: what is the difference?
| Level 1 inspection and testing | Level 2 sampling and testing |
|---|---|
| The GITA is involved through the relevant stages of site preparation and fill placement. | A geotechnical testing authority undertakes sampling and tests at selected locations. |
| Records cover observations of the work as well as test results. | Results describe the material or compaction at the locations tested. |
| The GITA may form an opinion on compliance of the documented earthworks with the agreed specification. | Testing alone does not establish how all fill across the site was prepared and placed. |
The level required should be confirmed against the design, approval conditions and earthworks specification. Extra tests carried out after fill has been covered cannot recreate inspections that did not occur during construction.
When should you engage AETG?
Contact us while the earthworks program is being planned, ideally before stripping or fill placement. Early engagement allows the project team to agree on the scope, inspection hold points, testing methods, reporting requirements and site access. It also helps identify unsuitable ground or fill and resolve questions before they become costly rework.
At the end of the works, the project team receives the agreed inspection and testing records and, where the scope supports it, a final Level 1 report. The report should be read with its stated coverage, test results, exclusions and any outstanding items.
Frequently asked questions
Can Level 1 be certified after the filling is finished?
Level 1 depends on inspection and records made during the work. Testing completed later may provide useful information about selected areas, but it cannot establish what was observed throughout construction. Speak with the project engineer or certifier about the available evidence and any further assessment required.
Is a passing compaction test enough for Level 1?
No. Compaction testing is one part of the program. The suitability of the subgrade and fill, the placement process, inspection records and the project specification also matter.
Is Level 1 needed for every earthworks project?
The required level of inspection and testing depends on the design, intended use of the fill, project risk, approval conditions and specification. Confirm the requirement before construction starts.
Discuss your earthworks program
AETG provides bulk earthworks conformance, pavement compaction testing and related field and laboratory services across Greater Sydney and Brisbane. Contact our team with your site location, drawings, earthworks specification and expected start date so we can discuss a suitable Level 1 scope.