Site Investigation
ESP’s experienced team delivers detailed site investigations that provide accurate ground data to support safe, informed development decisions
A site investigation is a critical first step in construction and land development, ensuring safety and compliance by assessing ground conditions, risks, and contamination.
Investigations should start with a thorough phase 1 desk study which involves reviewing historical data, geological maps, and, other relevant information about the site.
This is followed by phase 2 intrusive works, which allow information to be collected, assessed, and reported. This includes sites with:
- Elevated levels of contaminants
- Difficult access
- Complex ground conditions
Once the initial site investigation results are analysed phase 3 post site investigation is carried out as required.
Finally, the phase 4 site investigation report is generated once works are completed.
The objectives of a site investigation are to understand:
- Physical constraints
- How will the ground react post-development
- The level of soil/water contamination or ground gas to be assessed
- Type and complexity of the proposed development
- Other aspects including access limitations
- If contamination is suspected, the exploratory holes should not create new pollution pathways.
What Is a Site Investigation?
Recent Site Investigation Projects
For site investigations and geological survey work we have conducted please see some example projects below:
Case Study 1: Site Investigation for the Proposed Extension to The Vulcan in Cardiff
ESP undertook a detailed site investigation for the proposed extension to The Vulcan in Cardiff, supporting the construction of a new external lift shaft for the historic building.
Works included a review of geological and historical information alongside geotechnical and geoenvironmental investigation to assess ground conditions, shallow groundwater and potential solution feature hazards.
ESP provided practical foundation and settlement recommendations that enabled the design team to progress the development safely and efficiently.
Case Study 2: Proposed Construction of a New Hospital
ESP was employed by an NHS trust to investigate, and establish the ground conditions beneath a former colliery tip.
It was proposed that a new hospital was to be built on the site; however this was pending the results of a detailed geotechnical study.
Our assessment included advice on the geotechnical design as well as land contamination as the site was located up gradient of a river. Advice on drainage and contaminant migration was also provided.
Explore our project gallery to see our team in action. From initial investigations to final delivery, these images represent our commitment to high quality data collection and the professional standards we bring to every project.
Project Gallery
We are proud to serve as a trusted partner for a diverse range of clients, delivering specialist geotechnical and geo-environmental expertise to the UK’s most ambitious projects.
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Why Choose ESP For Your Site Investigation?
Our applied or engineering geologists supervise and control work on site safely and proactively enabling accurate data to be collected which is carried out per contemporary British and European standards.
- We use approved, accredited safe subcontractors to keep our costs competitive and as a result, the machinery and techniques we use are specific for each job.
- The site assessment techniques used are specially tailored to the site and proposed development so that the most practical and cost-effective solution is adopted.
- We have dealt with schemes of all sizes from the largest Coal Mining Opencast Sites in Europe to individual house foundations, in many different environmental contexts – from mountain roads in Oman to the Cardiff Bay Barrage. Comprehensive and accurate site assessment is integral to our detailed geotechnical and contaminated land risk assessments.
ESP are experts in understanding ground processes and excel in providing effective solutions for any situation.
Watch our site investigation video which explains our services in more detail – find our more about our services.
To provide the maximum value to the Client (in terms of overall total ground related costs) every site investigation should start with a desk study of available data. This is a low cost element (generally less than £1,000) but provides an early indication of possible ground hazards, and is the recommended first step in all UK guidance (BS59301, BS101752, CLR113, Eurocode 74 etc.).
One of the main objectives of the desk study is to allow a ‘Conceptual Ground Model’ to be prepared, along with a preliminary assessment of contamination risks (a requirement of any assessment of potentially contaminated land) and the collation of a geotechnical risk register (a requirement of BS5930).
We operate within a framework of professional memberships and industry-recognised accreditations, including ISO9001 and ISO 14001, ensuring that our technical delivery is consistently aligned with the highest standards of quality and governance.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Site Investigation Techniques We Use?
The intrusive investigation techniques used at a site may include:
- Machine excavated trial pits: this method is cost effective and good for gathering information on shallow soils, but it is very disruptive to the site surface.
- Cable percussion boreholes: a traditional and relatively cost-effective method, which is not very disruptive to the site surface, it can penetrate most soils to depths of over 30m depth.
- Dry sampling / windowless sample boreholes: for sites with limited access or where damage to the site surface needs to be minimised (e.g. private gardens or existing retail developments). The technique does have limitations due to lack of power penetrating through some soils. Not to be confused with ‘window sampling’ which is a poor quality investigation technique and should only be used ‘as a last resort’.
- Rotary drillholes: used to penetrate rock, and can be ‘open hole’ where information can be obtained quickly, or ‘cored’, allowing the maximum amount of information on the bedrock to be obtained.
- Cone penetration testing / continuous sampling: a useful technique particularly where a piezocone is used, as it is the only method by which the structure of soft, compressible soils can be identified, but it is more expensive.
- Sonic drilling, geophysical surveying, dilatometer, pressuremeter: alternative and more costly investigation techniques, but will be appropriate for some development sites.
Other ground investigation methods we use include:
- Soakaway and permeability testing to BRE365
- Dynamic sampling
- Rotary open hole or rotary coring
- Dynamic probing
- CBR or plate loading
- Ground gas monitoring
- Groundwater and surface water monitoring
- Ground surveying
- Geophysical CPT testing
- Unexploded ordnance risk assessments
- Drone surveys to obtain LiDAR topographic surveys
- Hillslope movement monitoring
- Groundwater pressure monitoring
How Do We Choose the Optimal Site Investigation Methods?
At ESP we work closely with others in the design team to ensure that any investigation we design is ‘fit for purpose’.
We have considerable experience in the design and implementation of investigations for sites of all complexities and scale, with four senior members of staff qualified at the top two levels of the UK Register of Ground Engineering Professionals (ROGEP). The combination of ground hazards (both man-made and natural) present on every site is different, so each site should be treated differently.
We have specialists in both geotechnical engineering and contaminated land, who work together to ensure that the appropriate information is obtained on the site to minimise the risks of ‘unforeseen ground conditions’ later in the project life.
Our ESP expertise includes:
- Desk based studies and comprehensive literature research
- Trial pits
- Percussion borehole and rotary drillhole exploration methods
- Geophysical exploration
- Groundwater and surface water monitoring
Developers should be aware that when complex ground conditions are present, multiple phases of intrusive investigation may be required. The costs of these investigations are likely to be considerably less than identifying an unforeseen ground hazard when the contractor has commenced on-site.
Why Do I Need a Site Investigation?
Reports by ICE and other bodies identified the greatest technical and financial risks to developments are usually the ground and foundations. A paper co-authored by ESP Director, Matthew Eynon, revealed:
- Around 50% of commercial and 37% of industrial buildings suffered delays due to ‘unforeseen ground conditions’
- All developments on brownfield sites meet ‘unexpected’ ground conditions;
Surveys have found that around one-third of building projects over the last 30 years have overrun by one month or more, and around half suffer delays from ‘unforeseen ground conditions’.
The ground is a hazard and needs to be understood for appropriate foundation design to be achieved, this is why a comprehensive site investigation is critical to projects. Also, planning permission approval may not be granted if the correct site investigation is not completed.
How We Determine the Right Site Investigation for Your Project?
Site investigations should start with a desk study of available data. This low-cost element (generally less than £1,000) provides early indications of possible ground hazards.
The objective of the desk study to prepare a ‘Conceptual Ground Model’, along with a preliminary assessment of contamination risks and the collection of a geotechnical risk register.
Once the Conceptual Ground Model is ready a suitable intrusive investigation can be designed to test and refine the ground model. This approach is the most successful and cost-effective method of managing ground hazards on development sites.
- If ground conditions beneath a site are straightforward, a simple investigation, such as a trial pit, may be all that is required to confirm the Conceptual Ground Model and adequately characterise the ground.
- If the site has a significant industrial history or is located in a high-risk geotechnical setting, a more comprehensive investigation, involving more boreholes, trial pits and sampling may be required.
- Other factors will be considered when assessing the investigation and techniques used such as: the history and prior use of the site, potential for sub-surface structures, if the location is in a coal mining of flood zone.
It must always be remembered that the investigation of the ground and the design methods to mitigate risks to overcome ground hazards always cost less at this initial stage than during construction.
What Happens After a Site Investigation?
You will receive a comprehensive report with information from the ground investigations, testing, and monitoring of the site. Your Earth Science Partnership consultant will discuss the report and provide options on follow up services as required such as:
- Remediation design
- Foundation design
- Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDs)
- Earthwork modelling services
Client Testimonials
Speak To Our Experts Today
Earth Science Partnership is a leading expert in site investigations across Wales, England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Ireland. We have decades of combined experience in our team of industry-recognised experts.
Our work, for homeowners, land owners, developers, and investors is completed in compliance with the latest, relevant industry best practices and guidance. We understand that every project is unique, so we deliver our services tailored to your needs.
If you’re looking to complete a site investigation, the ESP team can support you with a straightforward, cost-effective solution for your planning permission application.
Author
I am a UK Registered Ground Engineering Specialist and Chartered Engineering & Environmental Geologist with significant experience in Site Hazard Assessment, Remediation, Design, and Implementation across the Geoenvironmental and Geotechnical sectors in the UK and abroad.
I often work in multi-disciplinary teams advising other engineering and design professionals on the implications of ground hazards.
My work involves undertaking design, planning, management, and reporting of ground investigations. For example investigations for new developments and many bespoke studies including:
- Assessment of hydrogeological settings, materials for earthworks.
- Impact of abandoned mine workings.
- Remediation and stability assessment of soil and rock slopes/landslides, most notably the Pantteg Landslide in the Swansea Valley for which I have guided and presented assessments to Local Authority officers and the general public.