ABSTRACT
Feasibility normally is the very first phase of any construction project and Figure 8.1 shows the feasibility phase at the very beginning of the GeoQ process.
In the feasibility phase, the GeoQ process particularly concentrates on the first two GeoQ steps of gathering information and risk identification. Ground conditions can be dominant and may even act as the so-called fatal flaw to the project. We may think of a large dam planned on a geological fault zone in an earthquake-sensitive area. In such a situation the project needs to be entirely relocated or even cancelled, because of the unacceptable ground conditions. This chapter starts by
introducing and discussing three approaches that support ground risk
management in this earliest project phase. These approaches are related to the two GeoQ steps of gathering information and risk identification. The first approach
and
applies to the first GeoQ step and classifies the project site with regard to the four main ground-related risk types. The second approach presents how to do more with a minimum of ground information from a ground risk management perspective and the purpose and advantages of scenario analysis forms the third approach. After discussing these three methods two case studies are presented, in which
the presented ground risk management methods have been successfully applied. As usual, the chapter finishes with a summary.
