Commercial Construction: Three Practical Tips for Effective Geotechnical Investigations

9 March 2018
 Categories: Construction & Contractors, Blog

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If you are planning on building a major building on your piece of land, you should plan for a geotechnical investigation. As implied, this process involves the comprehensive assessment of the physical properties of the soil and rock on the site of construction. The purpose of the process is to ensure that the ground can support the proposed structure. In addition, the information obtained through the investigation can help in the creation of a more durable design to match the ground conditions. Unfortunately, geotechnical investigations are time-consuming and potentially hazardous processes which involve drilling the site. If they are not performed correctly, you might end with unexpected liabilities. Here are practical tips to help you ensure that the site investigation is successful.

Promote Workplace Safety

In general, the worksites on which geotechnical drilling for commercial construction projects is conducted are often in busy areas with significant human traffic. Therefore, you should keep safety in mind before beginning the drilling work and subsequent collection of samples. You should create a barrier around your site to prevent the entry of unauthorised personnel. It is also advisable to place warning signs on the property indicating the activities in progress. Additionally, you should remember that workplace safety will be determined by the workers and the choice of drilling equipment and other machines. Therefore, you must hire qualified drilling contractors and geotechnical engineers and acquire the correct machinery for the process.

Minimise Sample Contamination

You should collect clean soil and rock samples from your future construction site. The collection of the clean samples will be critical for obtaining actionable results for building work. In simple terms, the laboratory will identify the physical properties of the soil, helping your contractors make the right decisions on the construction. Also, the chemical properties of the land will be analysed. The resulting data can be invaluable in creating a building plan without problems. For example, you will avoid using materials which will be compromised by chemicals in the soil, or you can minimise the risks associated with contaminated grounds. Therefore, you should ensure that your drilling rigs are clean and free of pollutants from other sites before sampling.

Clean Up the Site

You should restore the condition of the site after your drilling and investigation, especially if you are not commencing the project immediately. This practice will minimise the potential risks of accidents on the worksite. You should seal the holes made by your drilling rigs to prevent accidental slippage. Where possible, you should keep the worksite isolated.

Contact a company that offers drilling and blasting services, like Rock On Ground, for additional advice.