Geotechnical site inspection is the process civil engineers undertake to gather data and evaluate sub-soil conditions of a particular development site. The procedure is necessary to design and build a foundation for a specific structure in this area. This structure could be a tunnel, railway track, power station, bridge, or plant. The process helps them get a clear insight into the geological behavior of the rock conditions just beneath the site. Then, they can decide on the most cost-effective way to dig through this site to construct the structure’s foundations. Geotechnical site inspection even gives the engineers an assessment of the environmental impact of the proposed structure.
Reddy Kancharla is a prominent civil engineer and geotechnical consultant from New York City with over 25 years of valuable industry-based experience. He specializes in the fields of geotechnical consultancy, implementation of ISO construction quality control standards, and civil construction. His areas of expertise extend to designing structural foundations, rectifying structural discrepancies, devising remedial design, and scheduling construction projects. He even develops and executes quality systems in accordance with ISO standards. He has been responsible for successfully constructing some of New York’s key landmarks. These include Yankee Stadium, Goldman Sachs building, the terminals of JFK Airport, Park Avenue viaduct rehabilitation, and USTA National Tennis Center.
In the opinion of Reddy Kancharla, civil engineers need to carry out an in-depth geotechnical site inspection of a particular area before commencing a trenchless operation. It helps them to collect essential information on the sub-soil conditions and rock formations of the proposed development site. This helps the specialists to understand the conditions they need to fulfill to build the new structure’s foundations and underground utilities. The results of the geotechnical site inspection are even critical for engineers who specialize in structural design and construction. They can then offer their recommendations on how to proceed with the construction of the structure’s foundations.
Civil engineers normally perform the following different tasks when undertaking a geotechnical site inspection of a proposed development area:
- Assess the profile of sub-soil, rock formation, and the underground water status of the site,
- Offer recommendations for the foundation design and building of the subsequent structures,
- Provide suggestions for the site preparations, surface drainage, and underground utilities, and
- Submit proposals for constructing the adjacent parking areas and relevant driveways.
On the completion of the site inspection, civil engineers have to devise other relevant geotechnical criteria pertaining to the structure’s construction. These are the various columns, plinths, walls, beams, and slabs. These relate to excavation, developing the foundations, building the retaining walls, assess the site grading and drainage. These guidelines enable these construction specialists to accurately calculate the load-bearing capacities and impact of lateral forces on critical structural elements. The calculations are essential in planning the structure’s architectural drafting and layout.
According to Reddy Kancharla geotechnical site inspections are critical for every construction development site. The survey enables civil engineers to obtain essential data on the area’s sub-surface ground conditions. Then, they ensure the stability of the upcoming structure’s foundations and slopes during the construction phase.
