What Is a Site Investigation Checklist?
A site investigation is prepared by taking soil samples for analysis and developing a detailed site investigation report with findings and recommendations for the site. The report helps engineers to identify hazards and risks that need to be eliminated before starting a construction project and to determine whether a site is suitable for the planned development.
A site investigation not only helps those responsible to determine the suitability of the land for construction, but also to draw up safe and economical construction plans. In addition, a subsoil survey is useful for long-term planning because it helps to anticipate natural or man-made changes and to determine the corrosion caused by groundwater conditions.
This article briefly discusses:
1. Frequent dangers and risks of a soil investigation
2. Advantages of a site investigation report
3. A digital tool for convenient data collection
Frequent dangers and risks of a soil investigation
A site investigation aims to identify and eliminate hazards and risks that have a negative impact on the project and its participants. Here are some of the most common hazards that should be considered for a correct construction survey:
- Physical hazards
- Chemical hazards
- Biological hazards
- Environmental and social risks
A site investigation also includes an examination of the effects of the project on flora and fauna. Every construction project should also take into account the social risks, especially in urban areas with high population density or in indigenous areas. A survey of local government and local stakeholders on the potential social impacts of the project is also part of a construction appraisal.
Advantages of a site investigation report
1. Reduce problems and save money
Problems mean more costs in connection with a site investigation report. If it turns out during the excavation that the soil conditions are not ideal, the builder will incur unexpected additional costs. It becomes critical, however, if the house later leans to one side. These tilts can make the house uninhabitable at some point because it can collapse. To avoid such scenarios, it pays to think ahead.
2. Detailed investigation of the building ground
Builders who are building on their own plot of land are well-advised to carry out a site investigation and subsequent ground survey before signing a contract with their construction company. A geotechnical report contains all the important information about the ground and soil. However, these subsoil reports can differ depending on the company. It is therefore advisable to obtain several offers.
3. Clarity about water settlement
In addition to the load-bearing capacity and settlement behavior, the water situation that will arise in the excavation is also crucial. Can water build up in the excavation, or is standing water expected in the excavation area? The decision to build a basement depends on this. With a building ground investigation, these things can be found out quite easily.
4. Structured data collection with checklist
Using a checklist for the investigation survey has the advantage that all data can be recorded in a structured way. The error rate is minimized by working through the individual points for the geotechnical report in a linear fashion. Certain investigations are omitted less frequently, and if they are, they are noticed immediately. In addition, problems with the data collection are reported and corrected more quickly so that the checklist for the subsoil expertise is completed in the end.
A digital tool for convenient data collection
Given the variety and vast amount of information that needs to be captured during a site investigation, it is beneficial to use technology that facilitates data collection. Lumiform is a mobile inspection application that helps engineers conveniently record information anytime, anywhere, even at remote locations. The following aspects can be conveniently implemented with the Lumiform app and checklists for the ground survey:
- The flexible form construction kit makes it possible to create new individual checklists at any time and to adapt them again and again.
- The Lumiform app ensures that the schedule is adhered to. All employees receive notifications about tasks and due dates. Managers automatically receive notifications when assignments are overdue and problems have occurred.
- The data collected during a ground investigation is recorded under the Analysis tab. All data can be accessed here and performance reports can be viewed broken down by time, location, and department.
- Simplified monitoring of inspection performance allows areas to be identified where processes and efficiencies can be improved.
