Engineering for a better tomorrow

Soil Investigations

Geotechnical investigations in line with project objectives

Our experts investigate several risks that can damage new structures or neighboring buildings, or even pose safety risks to individuals. Our experts assess risks that are typically caused by:

Overbuilding of low-load-bearing layers (e.g., peat, soft loam, old deposits)
Subsoil instabilities (e.g., landslides, sinkholes, swelling, shrinkage)
Unstable subsoil embankments
Faulty foundations leading to issues such as settlement, subsidence, misalignment, or fractures
Economically inefficient foundations
Insufficient consideration of leachate, groundwater or pollutants
Lack of securing existing buildings, such as through underpinning

We prepare subsoil reports in accordance with regulatory requirements that mandate investigations to ensure building safety and compliance:

State Building Codes: Specify investigation requirements based on local building laws
Contract Regulations for Construction Services: Outline the need for subsoil assessments
Federal Soil Protection Act: Ensures proper environmental and safety standards
State-Specific Building Laws: Establish exact requirements for the extent of examination

Source: BDG – Professional Association of German Geoscientists e.V.: Flyer: "Subsoil surveys are always the right decision – information for builders".

Our experts use a variety of methods to assess the subsoil, providing essential information for the subsoil report:

Excavator Trenches: Analysis of geoscientific maps and soundings (e.g., ram, wing, pressure soundings)
Topographical Evaluation: On-site digging to assess soil composition and structure
Boreholes:
- Small pile-drilling
- Core drilling for deeper analysis
Geophysical Explorations:
- Seismic surveys
- Geoelectrics and georadar for detailed subsurface imaging

The data obtained from these techniques are fundamental to developing a comprehensive subsoil report, which integrates both field and laboratory soil mechanics testing to determine critical calculation values. These values provide the basis for informed foundation design and consultation.

Conducting a subsoil investigation offers several significant advantages:

Planning Security: Provides assurance to clients, preventing unforeseen complications
Prevention of Construction Delays : Reduces the risk of project stoppages caused by unanticipated subsoil conditions
Economical Foundation Design : Enables safe, cost-effective foundation planning, avoiding unnecessary expenses from damage or foundation errors
Cost Savings : Subsoil and foundation reports are often more cost-effective than they initially appear, saving significant money in the long run

Source: BDG - Berufsverband Deutscher Geowissenschaftler e.V.: Flyer: „Soil investigations are always the right decision - information for building owners“

ICP INGENIEURE GmbH

Soil Investigations

Soil investigations involve analyzing underground soil layers to determine their composition, stability, and suitability for supporting infrastructure or remediating environmental impacts.

According to DIN 4020 such investigations are required to assess various aspects such as the load-bearing capacity of the soil, subsoil conditions and potential risks to the building and neighbouring structures. With 33 years experience and numerous successfully completed projects, ICP is your reliable partner for comprehensive and precise ground investigations.

Additional Considerations for Subsoil Investigations

The selection of the optimal method for subsoil investigations is guided by several key principles to ensure the most effective, reliable, and efficient outcome:

Providing meaningful insights that are directly aligned with the specific needs and objectives of the investigation, ensuring valuable and actionable data
Ensuring cost-effectiveness by choosing methods that offer the best value, optimizing both project budgets and timeframes
Timely and precise implementationto prevent delays, allowing for the seamless continuation of construction and planning processes
Maintaining field damage neutrality, especially when working in sensitive areas, to minimize environmental impact and preserve the integrity of surrounding land and infrastructure.

By following these principles, each subsoil investigation is designed to deliver comprehensive, accurate data while minimizing risks, adhering to regulatory standards, and ensuring project success.