This project involved a suite of ground investigation techniques to provide design data for 27 residential apartment units off Blarney Street in Cork City.
The scope of the investigations was as follows:
- four number trial pits,
- laboratory testing to include soil classification testing via particle size distribution, Atterberg limits and moisture limits, chemical testing for water sulphate content and PH values and Waste Acceptance Criteria Testing to determine suitability for landfill disposal
- two number cable percussive boreholes to refusal with Standard Penetration Testing at 1 to 1.5m intervals and
- two number piezometers.
As was no real surprise, the boreholes did not achieve great depths with refusal encountered at depths of approximately 2.5m where hard boring or chiselling techniques were employed for a period of one hour to prove the presence of hard formations. The ground model simply comprised of MADE GROUND on dark brown sandy gravelly SILT (BOULDER CLAY) on SANDSTONE. One number open standpipe piezometer was then installed in the borehole to allow the monitoring of pore pressures going forward.