Site Investigation Ireland
What is a Site Investigation?
A site investigation is used to complete a risk assessment, assess land contamination, and obtain data to design the proposed structure, so foundations can be developed for the development site or property.
Investigations should start with a thorough phase 1 desk study, 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, and complex ground conditions. Once the initial site investigation results are analysed phase 3 post site investigation works are completed as required and the phase 4 site investigation report is generated in conclusion to the works completed.
Site investigation techniques used are tailored to the site and development-specific requirements and the information collected determines if a site is suitable for the planned development.
Our expertise in site investigation and assessment includes:
- Desk based studies and comprehensive literature research
- Trial pit excavations
- Percussion borehole and rotary drillhole exploration methods
- Geophysical exploration
- Groundwater and surface water monitoring
ESP site investigation services, including comprehensive geotechnical surveys and ground assessments, are custom-designed to evaluate subsurface conditions effectively and efficiently. Our comprehensive and professional approach will ensure accurate data collection and analysis for your requirements, whether it’s soil testing, groundwater analysis, or environmental site assessments.
Site investigations are our bread and butter here at ESP, they vary depending on the size and nature of the engineering work, development or end use.
But usually, the purpose is to determine the ground conditions and properties, including a geo-environmental assessment. They highlight unfavourable ground conditions or geo-hazards such as contamination or soft ground.
Site Investigation Services We Offer
Here is an overview of the site investigation and assessment services we offer here at ESP, if you can’t see the service you’re looking for, get in touch with us via phone or email and we’ll be happy to assist.
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 contamination assessments.
With vast experience in site investigation and with a wide range of capabilities, ESP are experts in understanding ground processes and excel in providing effective solutions for any situation. We use several accredited contractors supervised by ESP geoscientists for our intrusive site investigations.
Our methods include:
- Rotary drilling
- Cable percussion drilling
- Window sampling
- Trial pits
- Cone penetration testing
- Soakaway and permeability testing to BRE365
We’re able to drill numerous types of boreholes such as:
- Dynamic sampling
- Cable percussion drilling
- Rotary open hole or rotary coring
We can also undertake:
- Dynamic probing
- CBR or plate loading
- Ground gas monitoring
- Groundwater and surface water monitoring
- Ground surveying
- Geophysical CPT testing
- Unexploded ordnance risk assessments
More specialist ground investigation techniques include:
- Drone surveys to obtain LiDAR topographic surveys
- Hillslope movement monitoring
- Groundwater pressure monitoring
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do I need a Site Investigation?
Reports by ICE and other bodies identified the ground and foundations as the greatest technical and financial risks to developments. 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.
What Site Investigation Do I Need?
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
- SuDS – Surface water drainage strategy
- Earthwork modelling services
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, 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.
ESP Client Testimonials
Take a look at a few of our excellent client reviews below. Click here to read more on Google.
“Having used the services of Earth Science Partnership on two previous occasions, we had no reservations about employing them for a third time. They are very professional and produce excellent detailed reports on what they are able to do. They are prepared to listen to everything you require and would highly recommend them.”
Roberta M.
Our Site Investigation Services in Ireland
Earth Science Partnership proudly offers our full range of site investigation services across Ireland and Northern Ireland. We have considerable experience working in the area and have completed works in the following notable locations, among many more:
- Dublin
- Belfast
- Cork
- Limerick
- Galway
- Derry
- Newtonabbey
- Bangor
- Waterford
- Lisburn
- Drogheda
- Dundalk
- Swords
Author: Matthew Eynon, Director
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, including investigations for new developments, and many bespoke studies including the assessment of hydrogeological settings, materials for earthworks, the 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.