ABSTRACT
The terms of reference (Chapter 5), which will serve as a frame of reference for the design and execution of the work, set down the boundary conditions that the quay wall must meet in the operational phase. To define terms of reference it is often necessary to carry out soil investigations or geohydrological and hydraulic surveys. It is very important that the data that is included in the mainly technical terms of reference is complete and reliable. Unfortunately, there are many examples of calamities resulting from what later appeared to be misplaced cuts in the investigation budgets. With regard to the investigation, distinctions can be made between desk studies, investigations into archives and site investigations, possibly in combination with laboratory tests.
