In-Situ in Swansea provides a direct assessment of ground conditions without the disturbance associated with sampling and laboratory work. The local geology, ranging from the glacial tills and alluvial deposits of the Tawe Valley to the sandstone and mudstone bedrock, demands a rigorous field-testing approach. These services are critical for complying with Eurocode 7 and the UK National Annex, ensuring that geotechnical designs are based on the true state of the ground. Our comprehensive investigation services integrate these tests to manage the variable strata, from soft estuarine clays to dense, overconsolidated glacial deposits found beneath the city.
The methodologies employed strictly adhere to British Standards, primarily BS EN ISO 22476 for field testing. A cornerstone of our work is the Cone Penetration Test (CPT), which provides a continuous profile of soil behaviour type, undrained shear strength, and relative density, particularly effective in the soft soils and made ground common in Swansea’s docklands. For compaction control on earthworks, we perform the field density test using the sand cone method in accordance with BS 1377-9. These field techniques are directly supported by our laboratory for classification, but the in-situ data remains the primary source for determining strength and stiffness parameters.
Typical projects in Swansea rely heavily on in-situ data to de-risk construction. The redevelopment of brownfield sites along the SA1 waterfront requires CPT and seismic testing to assess liquefaction potential and design deep foundations that bypass compressible layers. In the upland areas, such as near Kilvey Hill, we use the Menard pressuremeter to evaluate the stiffness of weathered bedrock for slope stability assessments and shallow foundation design. For infrastructure projects, accurate classification of the glacial till is often confirmed through rapid field testing, which we later verify with a grain size analysis combining sieving and hydrometer methods.
The process begins with a targeted selection of tests based on the desk study, followed by the deployment of tracked penetrometers or dynamic probing rigs. The key deliverables are factual data logs, interpreted engineering parameters, and a geotechnical report that provides a clear ground model. By combining techniques like CPT for stratigraphic profiling with Atterberg limit tests for plasticity correlation, we deliver a high-value, unambiguous characterization of the site. This integrated approach reduces the need for excessive boreholes, provides immediate data for design, and gives engineers in Swansea the confidence to make informed decisions on foundation solutions and earthworks specifications.