ABSTRACT
The location of various soil strata, water pressures and the relevant parameters need to be identified by soil investigation. This chapter deals with ways in which these data can be determined. In order of representation, these are respectively: the use of archive material and maps; determination of soil structure; the measurement of groundwater levels and piezometric pressure; sampling; parameter determination; and presentation of soil investigation data. Before starting with execution of the site investigation, as much information as possible about the site and soil concerned should be gathered. The chapter provides general ratings for the various techniques available for determining soil structure. Compared to electromagnetic and geo-electric investigation, the capacity of seismic investigation for identifying various layer divisions is limited. In any prospective soil structure determination, the price ratio between borings, cone penetration tests and geophysical investigation is a major consideration. The groundwater level affects various geotechnical and geohydrological calculations.
