Improper assessment of the ground conditions can cause a lot of problems for your commercial construction. In simple terms, if the site is not investigated before the work commences, some unfavourable issues might not be identified in time. Consequently, you will have to deal with project delays, unexpected costs and legal challenges. Therefore, it is advisable to consult a geotechnical engineer for an investigation of your site before commissioning the construction process. Here are basic guidelines to help you understand and facilitate ground evaluation work.

Consider the Previous Use

The previous usage of the construction site will determine its suitability for your commercial structure. Therefore, you should work with your technical engineer in reviewing the history of the land. The information revealed through this general research will guide the rest of the investigation. Simply speaking, the details will reveal potential hazards. For instance, if the land was a mining site in the past, there might be problems relating to ground stability. If there was an industrial structure, contamination could be an issue.  

Plan for Site Evaluation

Geotechnical investigation demands an assessment of the on-site ground conditions. Ideally, the engineer will visit the construction site and evaluate the properties of the land. It is important to plan for a field session in which the specialists will have full access. If you have any specific concerns, you can discuss the issues with the engineer before the process begins. Usually, the common factors addressed during this phase include the ground load-bearing capacity and infiltration. These aspects will determine the ability of the site to withstand the weight of your structure.

Think about Sampling

The chemical properties of the soil on your construction site cannot be assessed through a field investigation. Therefore, you should commission the collection of samples from your land. These samples will be sent in the lab for further analysis. This type of investigation is important because there might be unfavourable compounds in the soil. For instance, if the soil is too acidic or alkaline, it might react poorly with some construction materials, causing premature failure of the structure. Also, this assessment will allow for the detection of contaminants like lead in the soil. If these are overlooked, they will compromise the personal safety and well-being of the occupants.

Finally, you will need to examine the reports provided by your geotechnical engineer and make a decision on the project. The documents will provide the complete results of the site investigation as well as recommendations on your planned commercial construction.

If you have further questions, reach out to a local geotechnical engineer.