SITE INVESTIGATION

Introduction

Site investigation is the study of local and physical conditions of a site so that, solutions, for the
anticipated problems can be found in time.

This investigation may be surface or subsurface investigations. Whether, surface or subsurface, it

is also categorized as: Linear; Aerial or Volumetric. The problem anticipated may be due to the
geology and topography of the area, climate conditions, availability of services (i.e. Labor, water
electricity, etc) and construction materials e.g. aggregates, sand etc

Most structures will require subsurface investigation because they are normally constructed
according to the requirements of specific design and for specified construction materials.

Obviously, the particulars of an investigation will vary from one site to another but in most cases;
the following objectives should be achieved.

1. To acquire geological and geotechnical data, sufficient for the geology of the site to be
described with an accuracy that can be relied upon by the design and construction engineers.
2. To determine the suitability of the site for the construction method and economic
considerations.
3. To determined the variation in the character of the soil/ rocks within a given volume and
time
4. To determine the response of the foundation soil/ rock to certain imposed condition of
stress/ strain, e.g. by in-situ testing.

TYPES OF SITE INVESTIGATION

Site investigation may be carried out, using the following ways:

i. Linear investigation
ii. Aerial investigation
iii. Volumetric investigation

Each of these classes is briefly explained here below.

i. Linear Investigation

This is investigation where the required data is obtained below the ground level (subsurface) along
a line e.g. by bore-holes or trial pits.
ii. Aerial Investigation

This is the surface investigation which is carried out through mapping and terrain evaluation. Air
photographing and geological mapping are the techniques most commonly used in this method.
The information may be used to achieve the objective of site investigation suitability.

iii. Volumetric Investigation

Here, the three-dimensional characters of the area geology are determined i.e. a given ratio of the
volume involved in the design is obtained for testing. Also in-situ tests are carried out.

The volume of the ground involved is an important factor and should be related to both the
geological framework and the size of the proposed structure.

SITE INVESTIGATION PHASES

Good site investigation for any structure will usually have three phases. These phases are:

1. Reconnaissance/ Feasibility (Desk Study)

The feasibility investigation includes the following: site location; time limit for investigation; data
collection through office and field; analysis of the data collected to make a conclusion whether the
project is feasible or not. This data should include geologic information for basing reasonable cost
estimates e.g. nature and availability of the construction materials.

In order to contain the information, stated above, research will be carried out though records, maps
and other literature relevant to the geology of the area. Also information may be obtained from
libraries, government archives and relevant organizations. (E.g. mines and geological offices)

A short visit to the site is often desirable to confirm observations and predictions already made.
This may offer a chance to interview the local residents who may provide useful information. It is
also possible to identify area where engineering difficulties may exist and areas where particular
emphasize could be stressed.

In this stage, it is essential to compile a good report, indicating the geological and geotechnical
data, the addresses of contracts and references to literature, etc.

2. Preliminary (Field Exploration)

This is the site exploration which involves detailed investigating and provides information
necessary for project design and construction planning. Its results are incorporated into the final
design and construction stage. Consequently, it influences the building and final cost of
constructing the structure.
This stage aims to fulfill the following:

a) Determining and interpreting surfaces and subsurface conditions that influence design
and construction
b) Ground investigations i.e. Trial pits, bore-holes, augering etc
c) Collected samples may be taken for further testing in relevant industries

3. Final Phase/ Implementation

This is the implementation stage i.e. structure construction.

NOTE: It is a misconception to conclude that, once the construction starts, the work of the
geologists end

Investigations should continue, even during construction, because geological conditions

encountered during the construction may differ from what was expected.

Therefore, continued investigations for changing the project design (if the need to do so arises)
and avoiding major problems in structure performance is necessary.

METHODS OF SITE INVESTIGATIONS

Site investigations can be carried out in laboratory or in-situ and in most cases in both.

Laboratory investigations, which involves various laboratory tests on sample from the proposed
site, is normally carried out when:

i. The suitability of a material, i.e. rock or soil for a particular use must be assessed e.g.
in road construction.
ii. The material composition is not clear and has to be evaluated.

In-situ investigations will involve field tests such as borehole drilling, geological mapping, stress
measurements, deformability tests etc.

The choice of either laboratory or in-situ method is dependent on many factors e.g. information
required for design, type of site material, location and topography, availability of equipment,
services (labor), costs of tests etc.
 SAMPLES AND SAMPLING

Samples and sampling involves sample selection, sample collection and sample storage. Each of
these is briefly explained here below.

1. Sample Selection

Care must be taken while sampling soil and rocks to ensure that the sample is the true
representative of the particular material to be investigated and that its disturbance during sampling
will not adversely affect the results of the tests to be performed upon it. However, the selection of
sampling techniques depends on the quality of the sample which is required and the character of
the ground; particularly the extent to which it will be disturbed by the sampling process.

2. Sample Collection

Rock samples to be tested in laboratories normally have dimensions which prevent them from
containing major surfaces of weakness e.g. joints. There are four main techniques of obtaining
samples.

These are as listed below:

a) From the drill tool or excavating equipments

b) From a tube or spelt tube sampler with a sharp cutting edge at its lower end
c) Rotary sampling i.e. samples are obtained from a tube with a cutter at its lower end,
which is rotated into the ground
d) Block sampling i.e. samples from trial pits e.g. in highly fissured over consolidated clay
soils

3. Samples Storage

Necessary precautions should be observed when handling and storing samples, particularly those
of soils and soft rocks. Samples of hard rocks are less delicate but still require reasonably careful
handling.

Adequate containers should be provided that will protect the samples from any further disturbance
after collection i.e. at least two large durable labels giving the location and depth from where the
samples were taken, their date of collection and serial numbers should be written from every
sample. One label is placed inside the containers and the other attached to the outside of it. A list
of the serial numbers of the samples should be recorded in the site daily.

SITE INVESTIGATIONS FOR FOUNDATIONS 1. Objectives

a) Is the site stable?
 b) Bearing capacity and settlement for each stratum
c) Type of foundation - spread footings or piles
d) Basement design - earth and water pressures
e) Sulphate attack on buried concrete
f) Construction - excavation procedure and ground water problems

2. Depth of Investigation
a) Approximately twice width of loaded area if soil profile unknown
b) To prove base of soft strata
c) At least 3.0m longer than maximum pile length (18.0 - 24.0m for small diameter bored or
driven and 36.0m for large diameter bored).
d) Trial pits or borings to base of any fills; if trial pits are not possible, some of the boreholes
should be for continuous 100mm diameter sampling.

3. Information Required from Preliminary Site Inspection

a) Topography and probable ground water conditions
b) Geology and subsoil conditions
c) Any signs of natural instability (e.g. landslides)
d) Previous uses of site, in particular, excavations, fills and old buried foundations
e) Possibility of natural underground cavities, e.g. solution cavities or swallow holes
f) Possibility of man-made underground cavities e.g. mining, drainage adits etc.
g) Age and character of any fill in site; is it still settling under its own weight? is it likely to
be an environmental hazard if disturbed, (e.g. obnoxious chemicals)?
h) Existing buildings; types of foundations used; is there any sign of distress, (e.g.
settlement cracks)?

4. Information Required from Ground Investigation

a) Subsoil profile
b) Soil classification
c) Standard penetration tests in granular soils
d) Undisturbed samples (100mm diameter) in clays for laboratory testing to determine quick
undrained shear strength and consolidation properties
e) Sulphate analysis on soil and/or ground water
f) Ground water table (standpipe needed)
g) Insitu permeability tests, if dewatering is to be considered
h) Fills - description, classification, strength, compressibility, and chemical analysis