Task 1
A Client’s Guide To Site Investigation Introduction Why Carry Out a Site Investigation?
The objective of this brief guide is to inform promoters of civil engineering and building projects of the importance of adequate site investigation for the successful completion of their project. It indicates what a site investigation is likely to comprise, the important role of the promoter, and the risk to the project of undertaking an inappropriate or inadequate site investigation. The design of a structure which is economical and safe to construct, is durable and has low maintenance costs, depends upon an adequate understanding of the nature of the ground. This understanding comes from an appreciation of the distribution of the materials in the ground, and their properties and behaviour under various influences and constraints during the construction and lifetime of the structure. An adequate and properly structured site investigation is therefore an essential part of any civil engineering or building project. The Institution of Civil Engineers has published a guide Without Site Investigation Ground is a Hazard (Ref 1, Vol 1) which is primarily for clients and their non-geotechnical advisors. The guide’s purpose is to raise awareness of ground problems and highlight the consequences of inadequate site investigation. The executive summary states: Inadequate site investigation arises from the lack of awareness of the hazards associated with the ground, inadequate focus of finance, insufficient time and a lack of geotechnical (or geoenvironmental) expertise. It is concluded that a site investigation should be undertaken for every site, since without a properly procured, supervised and interpreted site investigation, hazards which lie in the ground beneath the site cannot be known. It should be noted that the terms site investigation and ground investigation have frequently been misused. A site investigation is the overall process of discovery of information, appraisal of
The objective of this brief guide is to inform promoters of civil engineering and building projects of the importance of adequate site investigation for the successful completion of their project. It indicates what a site investigation is likely to comprise, the important role of the promoter, and the risk to the project of undertaking an inappropriate or inadequate site investigation. The design of a structure which is economical and safe to construct, is durable and has low maintenance costs, depends upon an adequate understanding of the nature of the ground. This understanding comes from an appreciation of the distribution of the materials in the ground, and their properties and behaviour under various influences and constraints during the construction and lifetime of the structure. An adequate and properly structured site investigation is therefore an essential part of any civil engineering or building project. The Institution of Civil Engineers has published a guide Without Site Investigation Ground is a Hazard (Ref 1, Vol 1) which is primarily for clients and their non-geotechnical advisors. The guide’s purpose is to raise awareness of ground problems and highlight the consequences of inadequate site investigation. The executive summary states: Inadequate site investigation arises from the lack of awareness of the hazards associated with the ground, inadequate focus of finance, insufficient time and a lack of geotechnical (or geoenvironmental) expertise. It is concluded that a site investigation should be undertaken for every site, since without a properly procured, supervised and interpreted site investigation, hazards which lie in the ground beneath the site cannot be known. It should be noted that the terms site investigation and ground investigation have frequently been misused. A site investigation is the overall process of discovery of information, appraisal of
References: 1.ICE (1993)Site Investigation in Construction. Volume 1: Without Site Investigation Ground is a Hazard. Volume 2: Planning, Procurement and Quality Management. Site Investigation Steering Group. Thomas Telford, London. 2. AGS (2003) Client Obligations in Ground Investigation Contracts. AGS Information Sheet. AGS, Beckenham, Kent. Association of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Specialists February 2004 Forum Court, 83 Copers Cope Road, Beckenham, Kent BR3 1NR Tel: 020 8658 8212 Fax 020 8663 0949 e-mail: ags @ ags.org.uk www.ags.org.uk