Site Investigations

Unlock deeper insights into your ground conditions with cable percussion boring – one of the most widely used methods for geotechnical site investigations. Capable of reaching depths of up to 50 meters in suitable conditions, this versatile technique delivers reliable data across a variety of soil types.

Sampling techniques

• Disturbed samples: collected via clay cutter or shell for general analysis.
• Undisturbed samples: obtained by driving a 100mm open-tube sampler into cohesive soils or weak chalk. Thin-walled piston samplers are used for soft, normally consolidated soils.
• Water sampling: our method also enables groundwater sampling at precise depths, thanks to the sealed casing. For fully representative groundwater data, we recommend installing a dedicated monitoring well.

Build your project on a solid foundation with our California Bearing Ratio (CBR) testing services. Developed by the California State Highway Department, the CBR test is a critical penetration test that evaluates soil strength and load-bearing capacity – vital for designing roads, pavements, and other infrastructure projects.

Testing methods

• On-site
• Laboratory
• Light Weight Deflectometer (LWD)

Gain deeper insights into your site’s subsurface conditions with our dynamic probing services. By driving a cylindrical cone into the ground with a high-frequency percussive hammer, we obtain valuable data on soil strength and stratification – crucial for any geotechnical or construction project.

Why choose dynamic probing?

• Versatile: suitable for preliminary site assessments and detailed geotechnical analyses.
• Cost-effective: quick deployment and efficient data collection reduce project costs.
• Accurate soil strength data: ideal for correlating with other geotechnical tests and identifying stratigraphic changes.

Achieve deeper insights and higher-quality samples with our rotary core drilling solutions. This advanced technique is ideal for creating deep observation boreholes and recovering rock samples where traditional methods – like light cable percussion drilling – are less effective.

Key applications

• Geotechnical & geological investigations: obtain high-quality rock and soil samples for accurate laboratory testing.
• Construction projects: characterise subsurface conditions to inform foundation design and site planning.
• Monitoring wells: install wells at precise depths for groundwater or environmental studies.

Trial pits offer a quick, cost-effective way to obtain near-surface bulk samples of granular soils and visually inspect shallow strata. Although this method can cause more surface disruption than percussion drilling, it delivers rapid results, making it an excellent choice for projects requiring immediate on-site data.

Excavation methods

• Hand excavation: ideal for depths of up to 1.2m.
• Mechanical excavation: ideal for depths of up to 5m.

Ensure reliable foundations and long-term ground stability for your next project with our comprehensive plate load testing services. By applying a load through a rigid plate and measuring penetration over time, we accurately determine critical soil parameters – such as the estimated ultimate bearing capacity, shear strength and modulus of sub-grade reaction of the material tested.​

Why plate load testing?

• Accurate data: gain essential insights into soil strength and deformation characteristics.
• Versatile setup: tests can be performed at ground level or in shallow pits/trenches.
• Practical solutions: ideal for verifying working platforms for cranes, piling rigs, and other heavy machinery.

Window and windowless sampling are rapid, cost-effective methods for retrieving near-surface soil samples in geotechnical and environmental investigations. By driving cylindrical steel tubes into the ground with a high-frequency percussive hammer, these techniques provide reliable soil samples while minimising disruption to the site.

Typical depths

• Investigation depths commonly range from 3m to 5m, though depths up to 10m can be achieved in favourable conditions where the borehole remains open without support.
• Depth and success depend on factors such as soil type, presence of groundwater, and obstructions.