ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS
The role of site investigations and their importance in minimising project costs
John Rodgman, managing director of the geotechnical drilling company, Borehole Solutions, has provided an insight into the role of site investigations within any construction project; showcasing how they can drive your project costs to a minimum when conducted professionally
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f you’re planning any form of construction, remediation or alteration project, then chances are you’ll need to carry out a thorough geotechnical site investigation well in advance. Typically, this involves looking into the
subsurface structure of the intended site, identifying its specific properties prior to any construction or execution. Whether that includes an insight into how much weight it can bear, to how porous and easily deformed it may be, the information gathered as a result of this inquiry can determine whether the location is suitable for the intended project or not. Despite its importance to the success of any project, these investigations are often overlooked, with a significant number of developers instead following a haphazard approach in spite of their necessity. The consequences of this, however, can vary in significance. From undesirable project delays brought about by the unexpected presence of subsidence and other ground hazards, to the total structural collapse of the development, the increased costs born as a result of putting site investigations on the back seat can set you back considerably.
Fortunately, this can all be avoided by conducting an in-depth site investigation.
What are site investigations?
Geotechnical site investigations involve the process of collecting, assessing, and reporting on the data obtained from an examination of the sub-surface conditions of your intended site, and therefore identifying the presence of any sub-surface hazards which may impact the successful construction of your project. Despite what many people may initially assume, it isn’t as simple as drilling a hole and analysing what you find. Instead, geotechnical investigations require long periods of extensive planning; taking into account both the environmental and financial considerations, as well as additional time constrains, managing restricted access projects, and more.
Minimising project costs
The standard investigative process tends to consist of the drilling of both boreholes and trial pits in multiple locations around the site – with the exact quantity of this depending on the size of the intended development. Alongside further techniques, such as contamination testing and ground penetration radar (GPR), this is seen the most effective way of avoiding additional unforeseen project costs – a single borehole or trial pit isn’t enough to provide an accurate representation of the site in the vast majority of projects. As you collect more and more data samples, the chance of identifying any present ground hazards that would otherwise remain undetected increases apace with it, minimising the risk of further damage to the site throughout its development. With most businesses looking to cut down on unnecessary costs wherever possible amid the cost-of-living crisis, the potential for project delays, as well as the presence of subsidence and other ground hazards that would otherwise remain undiscovered when choosing to skip past a preliminary site investigation, can truly set you back. It was actually discovered that approximately 37% of all industrial building projects, as well as 50% of commercial building projects suffer delays in construction as a result of unforeseen ground conditions – the cost of which can prove to be significant. In fact, the Institution of Civil Engineers found the greatest financial risks to a project to occur within the foundations and ground itself, with undiscovered subsidence and ground hazards
8 BUILDING SERVICES & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER FEBRUARY 2023
costing UK insurance companies over £400m in claims within the last few decades. When considering that approximately 80% of total site investigations within the UK aren’t carried out by geotechnical testing experts, it is unsurprising to see this figure as high as it is, despite recent surveys discovering thorough site investigations should account for less than 0.3% of the overall project budget. The costs involved with fixing any issues that arise should an inspection not be performed will likely significantly outweigh the minimal cost of a professionally-conducted site investigation, which likely would have highlighted the issue prior to development even commencing. It is by far more cost-effective to invest some money at the start of the project, in order to minimise the risk of any ground-related issues arising within development, and as a result, saving money in the long run.
Environmental fringe benefits
When conducting a site investigation, it is not solely the aim of mitigating any issues that arise during, and prior to development, but also finding new ways of adding value to the development. As previously discussed, the financial incentive
is clear, but what about those which extend beyond profitability? Taking this in mind, perhaps arguably the most important factors informing any geotechnical investigation is the ecological and environmental impact of the proposed development. With detailed and reliable information on the conditions of the ground, architects are able to create more accurate, and environmentally-considerate designs, eliminating any unnecessary features or supports in place to strengthen the development, which can otherwise be saved. Prior to any form of drilling or site intrusion,
Environmental Impact Assessments are carried out in order to provide the most complete picture of the project’s impact. Each component of this work must be assessed, from the consideration given to both fauna and flora in immediate proximity, as well as to the project’s contribution to noise, smoke, and any other forms of pollution and emissions. As with any intrusive drilling job, however, there will inevitably be some form of environmental impact as the ground and surrounding area has to be disturbed to conduct the investigation, but a thorough site investigation ensures that any more significant damage isn’t caused, both now and in the future. For this alone, site investigations should be a vital component of any construction project.
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www.bsee.co.uk
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