How can you assess soil instability during construction supervision?

1 Know the site history

Before you start any construction work, you should review the site history and geotechnical reports to understand the soil conditions and potential problems. Look for signs of previous instability, such as cracks, fissures, subsidence, or slope failures. Check the soil type, moisture content, drainage, compaction, and bearing capacity. If the site has been disturbed or modified by previous activities, such as excavation, filling, grading, or vegetation removal, you may need to conduct additional tests or surveys to evaluate the current stability.

2 Monitor the site conditions

During construction, you should monitor the site conditions regularly and record any changes or anomalies. Use instruments such as inclinometers, piezometers, extensometers, or load cells to measure the soil movements, pressures, strains, or stresses. Observe the weather and water levels and how they affect the soil behavior. Look for signs of instability, such as cracks, bulges, settlements, or seepages. If you notice any alarming or unexpected results, you should report them immediately and take corrective actions.

3 Follow the design specifications

One of the best ways to prevent soil instability is to follow the design specifications and standards for the construction work. Use the appropriate materials, methods, and equipment for the soil type and condition. Follow the recommended slope angles, excavation depths, foundation types, and reinforcement techniques. Avoid overloading, undercutting, or disturbing the soil unnecessarily. Implement adequate drainage, erosion control, and stabilization measures. Consult with the engineers and geologists if you have any doubts or questions.

4 Communicate with the stakeholders

Another important aspect of assessing soil instability is to communicate with the stakeholders involved in the construction project. This includes the clients, contractors, workers, engineers, geologists, inspectors, and regulators. You should inform them of the soil conditions and risks and the measures taken to ensure stability. You should also coordinate with them on the schedule, budget, quality, and safety aspects of the project. You should also document and report any incidents or issues related to soil instability and how they were resolved.

5 Train and educate the staff

Finally, you should train and educate the staff who work on the site about the soil instability hazards and how to avoid or deal with them. You should provide them with the necessary information, instructions, guidelines, and tools to perform their tasks safely and efficiently. You should also conduct regular inspections, audits, and feedback sessions to ensure compliance and improvement. You should also foster a culture of awareness, responsibility, and teamwork among the staff.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?