BS 5930:1999 - Principles of Site Description for Geotechnical Investigation

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BS 5930:1999 is based on the principles of site description. With the increased emphasis on the
geotechnical investigation in the civil engineering branch, this standard outlines to ensure that
there is a strict outline of the assessment procedure required in soil analysis for security and
safety purposes. This is to the occupants or users of a specific civil engineering structure and
even to the neighbours (BSI, 1999).
The standard has been divided into seven detailed and step by step processes that form the
blueprint of civil engineering construction. The first step, as indicated, is the preliminary
investigation. The section provides an outline of all the reconnaissance requirements when a site
has been identified. All the principles involved in this section are aimed at understanding the
character of the site and includes survey, mining, ecology and imagery, to mention a few.
The second section provides information regarding the ground investigation. The types of soils
available, the kind of ground studies that should be conducted and all field information required,
to mention a few, are all described in this section. This provides a platform for understanding the
type of soils available about the project requirements.
The third section provides a detailed description of the field investigation procedure. Boreholes,
auguring, and groundwater pressure is all of the essences when it comes to this section. The
sampling and the testing techniques, among others, are described in detail.
The general principles of field testing are provided in the fourth section of the standard. Various
methods such as plate studies, borehole sampling and penetration tests, among others are all of
the essences when it comes to field study, as discussed in this section. It is the most detailed
section of the standard, emphasising the importance of field study in safety and construction.
The fifth section of the standard provides a detailed description of the laboratory work involved
after the preceding sections. The purpose of the procedure is clearly outlined in the introductory
part of the chapter, emphasising the importance of quality management. Testing conditions and
procedures and rocks are clearly stated, with the report outcome fully described.
A description of the soils discovered from the site as well as the rocks is of fundamental
importance, as described in the sixth section. Scope and basis of the description have been

identified as necessary when it comes to proper classification. It ensures that there is an
understanding of the previous use of the land and the basis of foundation construction.
Finally, the standard outlines the importance of reports. General reports, detailed reports and
parameter reports are all discussed in the section. As such, it ensures that a proper interpretation
of the engineering principles is discussed.
Soils located in Hawke
In this analysis, the soils of Takapu agricultural field may be used as to understand the soil
conditions in Hawke's Bay. In line with this, the site has been used primarily for agricultural
practices and has an approximate size of about 390 acres. The primary crop grown is grass, but
animals such as sheep and goats are also available on the site. The survey indicates that there is
no artificial drainage mechanism, but rather, natural drainage has continually been used to ensure
no flooding. Some sections of the field are covered by surface stones, as indicated in figure 2.
There are three different types of soils available in the site: silt loam, mottled silt loam and the
fine sandy loam. This proves the importance of the site to agricultural production. Nevertheless,
silt loam covers a big portion of the land surface. This includes topsoil that is dark in colour and
friable in nature while the subsoil is not well structured. It is, however, yellow. In the topsoil, the
soil is acidic while the subsoil is mainly neutral. Approximately 5% of stones and rocks cover
the top 16 inches of the surface. The most dominant mineral is phosphorous.
On the other hand, the mottled soil is not as expansive the silt loam. It has, however, about the
same PH. The topsoil is also fragile in nature and darkish yellow. The soil also has weak internal
drainage due to the weak subsoil structure. The most dominant mineral is quartz.
Finally, the sandy loam occurs in comparatively smaller proportions as compared to the other
two. This is mainly on the eastern side of the site. The topsoil is nutty in structure and yellowish
in colour. After a depth of about 20 meters, the subsoil is relatively developed and has a strong
structure. Leaching is high in this soil, and the process of calcium exchange is dominant. It has
an almost neutral PH.