What is a Site Investigation?
A site investigation is the overall process for the collection of information, appraisal of data, assessment and reporting. Site investigations are carried out in order to determine the engineering properties of soil and rock and how they will interact with a planned development. The purpose of a site investigation is to establish parameters for foundation, substructure, and infrastructure design - and to assess the potential geotechnical, geo-environmental, geological, and hydrological risk to humans, property, and the environment.
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Subsurface conditions at a site may be relatively uniform or extremely variable and will largely determine the complexity of the problems to be faced in both design and construction of the foundations. The subsurface investigation must therefore be of sufficient extent to provide enough information for a thorough understanding of the interaction of proposed foundations and supporting soil or rock on which to base a safe and economical design.
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Why are Site Investigations Conducted?
​Site investigations should be conducted and managed to ensure that:

• the design requirements are understood.
• the lot feeder understands the importance of having an accurate knowledge of the site and sub-soil conditions.
• competent advice is obtained from appropriately qualified personnel with relevant experience.
• physical investigations are conducted to collect all relevant samples and data required for design and construction (e.g. geotechnical, environmental, topographic constraints).
• natural and man-made features are accurately recorded.
• in-situ soils are adequately characterized.