TABLE OF CONTENTS As discussed in Chap. 1, the first step in the foundation investigation is to obtain preliminary information on the project and to plan the work. The next step is typically to perform the subsurface exploration. The goal of the subsurface investigation is to obtain a detailed understanding of the engineering and geologic properties of the soil and rock strata and groundwater conditions that could impact the foundation.
Specific items that will be discussed in the chapter are as follows:
Document review (Sec. 2.2)
Purpose of subsurface exploration (Sec. 2.3)
Borings (Sec. 2.4), including a discussion of soil samplers, sample disturbance, field tests, boring layout, and depth of subsurface exploration
Test pits and trenches (Sec. 2.5)
Preparation of logs (Sec. 2.6)
Geophysical techniques (Sec. 2.7)
Subsurface exploration for geotechnical earthquake engineering (Sec. 2.8)
Subsoil profile (Sec. 2.9)
Prior to performing the subsurface exploration, it may be necessary to perform a document review. Examples of the types of documents that may need to be reviewed are as follows:
Prior Development. If the site had prior development, it is important to obtain information on the history of the site. The site could contain old deposits of fill, abandoned septic systems and leach fields, buried storage tanks, seepage pits, cisterns, mining shafts, tunnels, and other man-made surface and subsurface works that could impact the new proposed development. There may also be information concerning...
