In conversations surrounding construction risks, people may mention budget, schedules, labor, or costs of materials. Although all of these aspects are crucial, one of the most underestimated construction risks is lying in wait right below the surface.
Long before foundations are poured or heavy equipment brought to the site, the state of the soil, and underground conditions may make or break the process.
*Why Subsurface Conditions Are Important
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The success of each construction project is largely dependent on soil conditions since each structure should be built in a safe and cost-effective manner. Unfortunately, there isn't much consistency between the composition of soils.
By failing to examine these factors properly, construction projects may run into unexpected difficulties that will result in financial losses and delays.
Understanding these risks will help avoid any mistakes and make better decisions when developing your construction project.
Common Risks Found Underground
*Soil Instability
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If there is unstable soil, it will not offer sufficient support for the construction project. This may result in sinking or cracking.
*Presence of High Groundwater
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The presence of high groundwater levels may make excavation difficult, interfere with foundation laying, and increase construction costs.
*Presence of Various Soil Layers
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There might be different soil layers at different depths within the construction site.
*Contaminated Soil
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Previous land use may have contaminated the soil through various activities such as industry or manufacturing.
*Obstacles That Are Not Always Visible
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Buried utility lines, underground buildings, and remnants from prior construction activities may pose difficulties for the excavation and foundation phases of construction.
*Importance of Geotechnical Site Investigation
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One of the best ways of lowering the risks associated with construction projects is by carrying out geotechnical site investigations.
These investigations involve taking soil samples, conducting various tests, and evaluating soil behavior under structural loading.
Advantages include:
- Design of better foundations
- Less risk during construction
- Effective budgeting
- Hazard identification
- Structural stability
*Environment Assessment & Reducing Risks
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Management does not consist only in soil resistance but involves several aspects, such as performing environmental assessments that would allow discovering any issues that could influence the schedule, legalities, and expenses.
An evaluation of the land use and conditions would enable discovering certain problems that could potentially appear in the future, which would make it easier to solve them beforehand.
*Principles to Manage Construction Risk
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Projects that are successful typically adhere to a few essential rules:
*Perform Comprehensive Initial Investigations
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Conducting a comprehensive assessment of the conditions provides information that could be helpful when making decisions.
*Make No Assumptions
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The surface may not reflect the situation underneath it, which is why decisions must be made based on confirmed information.
*Consider Geotechnical Data in Your Design
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It is necessary to consider all the obtained data concerning soils while designing.
*Monitor Site Conditions During Construction
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There may occur some unpredicted changes during excavation and development processes.
*Confidence Begins at Ground Level
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Many construction risks can actually be mitigated or avoided through good planning and investigations. Knowledge of ground conditions, underground water levels, and environmental factors before construction commences can help minimize uncertainties and increase chances of success.
Organizations that specialize in geotechnical investigations and environmental tests, like Enviro Test Construct , offer services that enable sound decision-making from the very early stages of projects.
*Final Thoughts
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Risk management in construction doesn't only occur once the construction crew arrives on site. Risk management in construction actually starts even earlier than that, starting with a good knowledge of the ground.
By conducting thorough investigations and making use of scientific data, developers can avoid surprises and ensure more efficient processes and projects.
In construction, risk management actually begins with looking under the ground before you build anything on top of it.
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