ABSTRACT
The first stage of geotechnical work involves the planning and execution of a site investigation. Planning begins with the initial recognition of the deposit by means of geological and pedological maps, aerial photos and collection of data from previous investigations conducted in areas nearby. The next stages involve the execution of preliminary and complementary investigations. Preliminary investigations aim mainly at determining the stratigraphy of the area, and during this stage, borings are carried out. Geophysical methods are suitable tools for the evaluation of stratigraphic profiles of large areas, but they are still not used very often in soft soil investigation. At a later stage, laboratory and field investigations are carried out. The goal is to define the geotechnical parameters and the geomechanical model of the soft soil deposit, with the aim of obtaining stability and settlement calculations. The stratigraphic profile can also be obtained in this stage by means of piezocone tests.
