Engineering and Technical

Geotechnical Investigation and Soil Testing

A ground investigation is the cheapest part of a project and the one most often cut, which is why so many contracts are settled on a claim for conditions that a few more boreholes would have found. This course covers doing it properly. Delegates work through planning an investigation to the questions the design actually needs answered, rather than to a standard number of holes. Field methods are covered: trial pits, auger and rotary boring, standard penetration testing, cone penetration testing and geophysics, with what each can and cannot tell you. Sampling and sample disturbance are addressed. Laboratory classification follows, covering grading, Atterberg limits and moisture content. Strength and compressibility testing are covered, including shear box, triaxial and consolidation. Problem soils of the region are addressed directly: expansive clays, collapsible sands and dolomitic ground. Groundwater and its measurement follow. The course closes on interpreting results into design parameters and on writing a factual and an interpretative report.