Three Fundamental Tips for Planning for a Geotechnical Investigation

4 January 2021
 Categories: Business, Blog

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Assessing ground conditions is crucial when planning for commercial construction. If you establish a building without evaluating the state of the site, structural problems might occur. This is because there might be underlying issues relating to the physical and chemical properties of the soil. The process of geotechnical investigation will help you identify any unfavourable aspects of the ground on which you intend to establish your building. This will allow you to correct the problems and avoid subsequent losses. Here are some simple tips for planning for your geotechnical investigation.

Provide Information

It is important to have a clear strategy for conducting the geotechnical assessment. The right plan will depend on the unique characteristics of your site and the planned building. In simple terms, the investigation cannot be conducted haphazardly. Instead, the focus should be on identifying specific problems which could affect your commercial building. Therefore, you should plan on providing complete information on your construction plan to your geotechnical engineer. The details will be used to determine the best approach for assessing and testing the site. For instance, the engineer will need the blueprints for the building and specifications of the materials that you intend to use. Moreover, you should also provide documents relating to past studies of the site.

Acquire Equipment

The right equipment is crucial for a successful investigation of the conditions of your commercial construction site. Usually, the assessment will require the collection of soil samples for testing. When these samples are tested, they will provide valuable data on aspects like drainage, compaction and general soil reactivity. If you do not acquire the best machines for collecting the samples and testing the soil, the collected information might not be reliable. You should discuss the equipment requirements with your geotechnical consultant to ensure that the acquired pieces match your project. For instance, you can inquire about the type of soil on the site, the maximum depth for sample collection and the aspects under investigation. Then, check on the equipment available from your specialist supplier.

Plan for Safety

Finally, you should think about workplace safety before commissioning the investigation. Poor planning can lead to dangerous situations and subsequently, financial losses and construction delays. In general, it is important to ensure that all the people working onsite during the geotechnical evaluation are trained for the task. Also, you should provide appropriate personal protective gear to all the workers. Besides, consider controlling and restricting access to the site by unauthorised persons to prevent accidents and related liabilities. 

To learn more, contact a geotechnical engineer.