Substruck Ltd. were engaged by leading geotechnical engineering consultants Ciaran Reilly & Associates to aid in confirmation of existing geotechnical data and associated bearing resistance for an extension to Kinsale Community Hospital.
Prior to mobilisation, the Main Contractor required the standard safety and health confirmations which are no issue here at Substruck with our Grade A certified Safe T Cert management system. Only 10% of construction companies in Ireland hold this status and we have maintained this level for over five years.
14 number dynamic probes (DPH) were completed to refusal or to depths below the zone of influence as determined by Ciaran Reilly & Associates. Trial pits were also carried out allowing direct observation of the underlying soils.
In a nutshell, dynamic probe n-values can be correlated with SPT N values and hence correlated to relative density in coarse soils or undrained shear strength in fine soils. From these correlations, further analysis can be used to determine allowable bearing pressures, or presumed bearing resistances in Eurocode terms. However, interpretation of blow counts in any dynamic penetrometer needs to be completed by competent and experienced ground engineering professionals.
Our Premier Plant 100 series ground investigation rig worked a treat as always and its ability to safely track around the site makes it much quicker and easier to work with than standard man portable rigs.
The site logs were forwarded to Ciaran Reilly & Associates to form part of their report for the project.