King House, 2 Ludlow Road, Redditch, Worcs B97 4EN.    Tel: 01527-597600     Fax: 01527-585645     Email: info@mbce.co.uk


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MBCE Projects offer clients a complete site investigation service which can cover all physical site issues which affect development. Investigations are intended to dovetail seamlessly with our practice's design services. This approach allows investigation reports to be more focused to the anticipated design solution as well as removing any ambiguity about design responsibility. In some cases there can also be tangible programme benefits.

 
Desk Study
A good desk study is essential to optimising the effectiveness of a site investigation. This will include consideration of the intended site use, historical uses, site geology, contamination history, adjacent structures and other site constraints. It can also include other issues which are not necessarily well covered by some design teams such as flooding, underground services, protected trees etc.
 
Investigation Plan
Following a good desk study the investigation plan which identifies the extent and location of trial pits and boreholes and the extent of the laboratory testing is an important part of the investigation which fundamentally affects the quality of the information obtained. Sometimes, for major works the investigation is undertaken iteratively in several stages as the findings of early stages identify the need for further steps.
 
Site Works - Drilling, Boring, Pitting, Sampling
Site works using a range of specialist rigs and equipment can include: shell and auger sampling; rotary core drilling; specialist reduced headroom rigs; window sampling rigs (in lieu of trial pits). Physical site testing and measurement is undertaken on a site as well as visual examination of exposed materials and collection of samples for lab testing. Standpipes can be installed for ongoing gas and water measurement.
 
Laboratory Testing
Laboratory tests at our NAMAS accredited labs (generally to BS 1377) allow the properties of the sample materials to be determined to assess factors such as strength, durability, consolidation properties, levels of chemical contamination etc. These properties are often vital to the assessment of the findings of the investigation.
 
Reports and Recommendations
The results of the site investigation incorporating site observations, constraints and lab tests are evaluated and assessed by experienced engineers with appropriate geotechnical, structural or environmental expertise. The report will usually include recommendations on material properties, forms and levels of foundations, temporary works considerations, contamination treatment approaches and other information appropriate to the project.