C11 Ground Investigation
C11 Ground Investigation
Checklist:
Problems:
- Existing below ground services: See C12
- Low loadbearing capacity subsoil
- Vulnerability of subsoil to ground water, vibration and frost
- Pollution from previous use: Milk, Ink, Petrochemicals, Gas plants, Methane from landfill/backfill
- Natural Radon (radio active gas) from underlying rocks
Misunderstandings:
Solutions:
- Check historic maps for evidence of existing features of the site
- Map out all inspection covers and predict service runs and then check routes on site
Consider:
Serendipity:
- Carryout installation of ground source heat pipes in the ground whilst the Site Investigation drilling rig is on site
Ground conditions:
- Determine what levels any underlying strata suitable for foundation
- Determine porosity of any underlying stone layers.
- Consider rock as a potential source of radon
- Consider best location of basements to minimise excavation into stone or rock
- Consider the load-bearing capacity of the subsoil and consider if dynamic compaction is appropriate to minimise size of foundations
Surface:
- Co-ordinate with Services and Structural Engineers to consider subsoil, ditches and surfaces for capacity to carry surge rainwater conditions: See C12
- SUDS Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems to recharge ground water or for rainwater harvesting
Existing Buildings
- Investigate for any existent and in-filled basements
- Consider any reusable construction or reclaimable materials
- Consider existing foundation to carry new building: transfer slabs may be possible
Site Autonomy:
- Consider how much material will need to be excavated and how much can be reused on site try to avoid exporting any to landfill and avoid importing any new materials
Avoid:
Minimise:
- Excavated materials being exported from site and new materials being imported to site.
Substitute:
Health:
- Consider if Radon Barriers (Gas proof membranes and courses) are needed below the proposed building
Wellbeing:
Biodiversity:
- Topsoil biodiversity has taken a long time to establish itself, consider it as precious and do not destroy or waste it
Safety:
- If methane is present in the site and the building is used to cap the site ensure methane can ventilate out from below the building
Precautionary principle:
- If methane is present in the site and the building is used to cap the site ensure that cigarette smokers outside of the building understand the risk of igniting the methane
Resource Efficiency:
Site Autonomy:
- Consider how much material will need to be excavated and how much can be reused on site try to avoid exporting any to landfill and avoid importing any new materials
Reduce:
Reclaim:
- Reclaim paving, sub-bases, turf, topsoil, excavated sub soils from the ground for reuse
Reuse:
- Try to reuse any as found materials, paving, sub-bases, topsoil, excavated sub soils from the ground.
Recycle:
Recover:
Waste Issues:
Hazardous waste & Deleterious Substances
Waste statistics
Waste minimisation
End of Life options
Appropriateness:
Competence:
Effectiveness:
Yardstick:
Maintenance issue:
Industry/Sector Initiatives:
- Earth Exchange website enables clean subsoil to be moved from sites with excess to sites with need
Information sources:
- See this page right column
© GBE NGS ASWS BrianMurphy
aka BrianSpecMan
8th February 2015
