We often hear about land investigation work, but do you know the aims and objectives of this work?
A good building certainly carries out various careful plans based on certain technical calculations. This is to meet the expectations of service providers regarding the needs of a building whose construction will last for decades. In this case, the foundation as the basis for a building to stand is important. A solid foundation to support the entire building structure requires some in-depth research such as a Soil Investigation study. The following is the meaning of Soil Investigation.
Understanding Soil Investigation
Soil Investigation is a method for determining the stratification of subsurface layers, especially soil and its physical properties which are the media on which construction is built, either by taking UDS (Undisturbed Sample), DS (Disturbed Sample) samples and SPT (Standard Penetration Test) testing. These three work elements are included in Geotechnical Drilling activities. In a smaller scope and area, Geotechnical Drilling activities could be replaced with the Sondir (Cone Penetration Test) method. However, the Sondir (Cone Penetration Test) method cannot carry out UDS, DS samples and SPT testing. The results of the Sondir value require further in-depth conversion to the Nspt value of a stratification/soil layer in order to detail the value of the physical properties of the soil.
Benefits of Soil Investigation in Construction projects
Below are eight (8) benefits of carrying out Soil Investigation in Construction projects that you need to know.
- As a basis for construction planning
Before construction activities take place, planning the dimensions and weight of the building needs to be carried out. This cannot be separated from the values of the physical properties of the soil which need to be tested and known first. The more detailed the values of the physical properties of the soil are known, the easier it will be for a construction planner to determine the type of material, dimensions and weight of a building so that the building will last longer. - Helps in selecting better construction materials
It is not uncommon for you to be confused in some places about whether the technical specifications are in accordance with the conditions of the land being built. You can ask for the results of the physical value of the land or whether a Soil Investigation has been carried out previously. Because the value of the physical properties of the soil will help you to avoid damage such as cracks on walls and floors after construction is complete. - Helps in improving Construction Safety
It is important to know that Soil Investigation is the basis for whether the construction to be installed/carried out is a safe project to continue. Imagine you install construction on a sand building and work on a swamp building. Of course, in terms of the foundation, it will not be suitable and could affect the buildings above it. To avoid legal implications and threats in the future, a Geotechnical expert will help you in this matter using soil physical property values from Soil Investigation studies. - Helps in cost savings
Have you budgeted funds for damage that will arise from the construction you are building? Are these costs the same as the costs of installing the building? According to our internal percentage, you only need to spend 0.1% -2% of the construction project value to carry out a Soil Investigation to avoid building damage that will arise, especially in the foundation section. A good, long-lasting foundation will save you much more on project costs than if you budget for damage costs that will arise without knowing the value of the physical properties of the soil beneath your building. - Fulfill regulations and obligations
Soil Investigation is a mandatory document with the output of a Soil Carrying Capacity Report for a particular location. This is mandatory for the construction of Liquid Fuel Tanks (BBC) in all areas in Indonesia as stated in Law no. 22 of 2001, namely part II.1. Requirements for the New Permit part (i) which reads ‘Report on the results of the study of the soil bearing capacity and stability of the location of the BBC tank to be built;’. There are many other regulations so that the validator of the report needs to be an engineer who has SKK in the Geotechnical field. This can apply to buildings on land, underground or water buildings. - Know the continuation of a project
Basically, many projects have been declared unfit to continue. How can you judge that the project is not worth continuing? Of course, after you analyze the physical properties of the soil of the building, whether or not it is in accordance with the weight and dimensions of the construction to be built. Therefore, it is important to carry out a Soil Investigation to find out whether the project is suitable to be built or not. If it is feasible but has unanswered parameters, it is necessary to continue the Soil Investigation study first before determining and validating the plan by a Geotechnical Expert. - Provide additional information in cost budget calculations
The value of the physical properties of the soil will certainly provide various additional recommendations related to site assessment and drainage, above-ground floor systems, foundation drainage, excavation work and so on. Without a Soil Investigation, the Implementing Contractor needs to make temporary assumptions about needs which can sometimes differ from one Contractor to another, causing Construction work to be more expensive and longer than the initial plan. - Find out the information needed in foundation design
In determining the foundation design, sometimes an engineer needs to take into account subsurface water flow, topographic shapes that need to be changed, water flow on the surface and so on. Soil Investigation can be the main study in this case to fulfill other aspects that are still in the form of assumptions in planning. Various hydrological, geological, topographic and other works can be combined in Soil Investigation for detailed technical documents that are integrated and synergistic and provide technical answers in accordance with the presence of data anomalies in aspects of ground water, surface water, morphology which can disrupt construction activities in later.
There are still many benefits from Soil Investigation to support your business and industry. By speeding up the completeness of soil and rock data, it will make it easier for you to manage construction projects and reduce costs that will arise in the future as a result of assumptions in your construction project.
