What is Ground Investigation? Ground Investigation in Prefabricated

Ground investigation is one of the basic steps of any construction project. Ground investigation is especially important for prefabricated structures. Because prefabricated structures are lighter and more flexible, they require a more sensitive approach to soil properties and bearing capacity. Therefore, it is important to conduct a ground investigation before building prefabricated structures. In this article, we will discuss in detail the importance of ground investigation for prefabricated buildings and how to do it.

What is Ground Investigation?

Soil investigation is a series of investigations and tests to analyze the physical, chemical and engineering properties of the ground prior to the construction of a land or construction project. These tests aim to determine properties such as soil durability, shear properties, compressibility, water holding capacity and erosion potential.

This application is important for construction projects because the durability, safety and longevity of structures mainly depend on soil properties. It also provides information on soil stability and helps to minimize construction costs while reducing risks that may occur during the construction process. Ground investigation is carried out using methods such as drilling tests, soil sampling, laboratory tests, geophysical tests, geochemical analysis and field observations.

Why is Ground Investigation Done?

The main reasons for conducting a ground investigation are as follows:

• Determining the Durability of the Structure: It provides information about the durability of structures by determining the properties of the ground such as bearing capacity, compressibility, shear properties, water retention capacity. Therefore, ground investigation is vital for the safety and longevity of structures.
• Cost Minimization: It helps to minimize construction costs. This means having accurate information about soil properties, ensuring that structures are built appropriately and avoiding unnecessary costs.
• Reducing Risks: It helps to reduce the risks that may occur during the construction process. Analyzes made according to the results of the ground survey help to predict and prevent problems that may arise during construction.
• Compliance with Regulations: Ground investigation is carried out to ensure that the ground works in construction projects comply with the regulations. Construction projects that do not comply with the regulations may pose a risk to the environment and human health.

As a result, ground investigation is a fundamental step for the proper design and construction of construction projects. Therefore, ground investigation is vital for the safety, longevity, cost-effectiveness and regulatory compliance of construction projects.

How to Conduct Ground Investigation in Prefabricated Houses?

Ground investigation in prefabricated houses may vary according to the characteristics of the location. However, in general, the stages of ground investigation of prefabricated houses are as follows:

Site Selection

The choice of location for the prefabricated house is important in terms of ground survey. In the site selection phase, factors such as topography of the land, soil structure, waterway and underground movements of water are taken into consideration.

Preparation of Ground Investigation Plan

At the stage of preparing the ground investigation plan, the topographic map and soil properties of the land are obtained. At this stage, the location and number of drillings to be made on the land are determined.

Soil Investigation Tests

Soil investigation tests are performed by drilling and soil samples in the field. Borings are carried out to determine the thickness of soil layers, permeability and compaction properties between layers. Soil samples are taken for laboratory tests and help to determine properties such as soil durability, compressibility, shear properties, water holding capacity.

Reporting

After the tests are completed, the data obtained is reported. These reports are used to determine whether the prefabricated house is suitable for the soil structure and whether its construction is safe.

When conducting ground surveys in prefabricated houses, various tests are carried out to determine properties such as soil durability, shear properties, compressibility, water holding capacity, erosion potential. The results of these tests help to determine the suitability of the prefabricated house to the ground structure and whether its construction is safe.

Is Ground Investigation Compulsory in Prefabricated Buildings?

TürkiyeIn Turkey, ground investigation in the construction of prefabricated buildings has been made mandatory according to the legislation. The construction of prefabricated buildings is handled within the scope of the Law No. 6306 on the Transformation of Areas Under Disaster Risk, and in this context, ground investigation has been made mandatory.

Accordingly, the projects of the buildings to be constructed pursuant to Law No. 6306 must be approved together with the ground investigation report. Building owners or contractors may face penal sanctions if they fail to carry out ground surveys during the construction of buildings within the scope of this law.

In addition, regulations and directives published by the relevant ministries and local administrations in Türkiye may also require ground investigation in the construction of prefabricated buildings. These regulations and directives include issues such as the situations where ground investigation is required in the construction of prefabricated structures, the elements that should be included in the ground investigation report and the measures to be taken according to the results of the ground investigation.

Who Performs Ground Investigation?

Ground investigation is a study that should be carried out by specialized engineers. They can usually be civil engineers, geological engineers or environmental engineers. These engineers should be specialized in areas such as soil and structural mechanics, hydrogeology, geophysics, mapping and photogrammetry.

Engineers who will conduct ground investigation first examine the characteristics of the area and obtain information about the soil and groundwater level. Then, they determine the soil properties and bearing capacity by methods such as drilling and sampling. In the soil investigation report, soil properties, bearing capacity, groundwater level and other important information are specified.

Soil investigation can be carried out before or during construction. It should be carried out in accordance with the requirements of the project and local regulations. In addition, the ground investigation report is used as an important document in construction projects and helps to determine the procedures to be followed during construction.

What is included in the Soil Investigation Report?

A soil investigation report is a report prepared to determine the properties and bearing capacity of the ground before or during construction. This report contains the following information:

• Project Description: The ground investigation report includes information such as the general description of the project, the project owner and the project area.
• Soil Properties: The report includes information on the physical, chemical and mechanical properties of the soil. Soil properties are determined by methods such as drilling and sampling.
• Bearing Strength: It contains information about the bearing capacity of the soil. This information is determined by using soil properties and bearing capacity calculations.
• Ground Water Level: Information about the ground water level. This information is important to determine the impact of the water level on the construction of the building.
• Evaluation and Recommendations: According to the results of the soil investigation, the actions to be taken and the precautions to be taken are stated. These recommendations ensure that the building is constructed in accordance with the soil properties and local regulations.
• Annexes: Appendices such as data on drilling and sampling operations, maps, drawings and other relevant documents may be included.