BASICS of

SITE INVESTIGATION
for PLANT DESIGN

Civil, Arch. & Structural Engineering Team

Yeon, Hyeongil

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The engineer in the organisation

So there are many possible organisational forms.

Engineers perform in many different roles in all of these.
For example:
• Construction manager,
• Sub-contractor,
• Sales engineer for a supplier or sub-contractor
• Designer,
• Owner,
• etc, etc.

In all roles, the engineer must understand the principles of

project management, and the contract obligations he/she has
accepted. But there is another concern . . . .
1. General

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Site Investigation Program

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Type and Scope of Surveys
The type and the scope of a survey will depend
upon the purpose for which the survey is
required and on the circumstances under which
the survey is to be carried out.
• Preliminary and General Investigation
• Detailed Investigations
• Verification Surveys
• Clarification Surveys

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Application of Surveys to Projects

1) Geotechnical Investigation
2) Geodetic and Topographical Survey
3) General Geological Survey
4) Hydrological and Environmental data collection
5) Hydraulic Survey
6) Pollution Survey

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Existing Services and Facilities

This preliminary investigation shall cover all

such services and facilities aboveground and
underground, and some manual excavation may
sometimes be necessary.

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Geodetic and Topographical Survey

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 Site Surveys Microstation

• Topographical Map ⇒ InRoad

available area (versus area required, including

available
the requirements for future extensions)
variation in ground levels

variation
ground level relative to open water level

ground
obstacles, roads, rivers, coastlines, bushes, etc.

obstacles, etc.

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Site Surveys
• Field Survey
 Site conditions (actual)
 Geologic and geotechnical conditions
 Geo-hydrological condition (open water)
 Historical information (old rivers, drains)
 Estimate the scope of field investigation
• is the site accessible for equipment?

• steep slopes?
 First briefing on geotechnical conditions for planning
and design process
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General Geological Survey

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General

• Geological Maps
To provide and understanding of the geological history of
the project area

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Study Reports
• the general character of the site and the degree of
uniformity of the geological structure
• the location and character of possible faults, disturbed
zones and cavities
• the classification of soils/rocks as to age and origin, their
composition
• an assessment of the seismic sensitivity of the area
• the availability of aggregates and cementing materials for
construction (borrow and quarry resources)
• examination of possible drainage problems

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Geotechnical Investigation

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General

• Geotechnical Invetigation

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General Advice based on Data

• General Drainage, Site Preparation , and

Earthworks
• Foundation Type Selection
• Bearing Capacity & Settlement
• Geotechnical/Foundation Design
Parameters
- Ground water Depth
- Soil Parameters (c, φ, Gs, etc.)
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Hydrological and Environmental Data
Collection

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Data Required
- precipitation data
- evapotranspiration data
- temperature data
- humidity data
- wind data, including cyclonic data where
relevant
- groundwater levels
- quality and variations in quality of groundwater
- surface run-
run-off
- open wells, where relevant
- possible erosion due to surface run- run-off
- existing drainage systems (or lack of these)
- possible existence of water and soil pollution, and
contaminated waste deposits. 18
 Hydrology
Meteorology
• Study of the atmosphere including
weather and climate
Surface water hydrology
• Flow and occurrence of
water on the surface
of the earth
Hydrogeology
• Flow and occurrence
of ground water

Watersheds19
Intersection of Hydrology and
Hydraulics

Water supplies Flood protection

• Drinking water Flood plain construction
• Industry
Water intakes
• Irrigation
Discharge and dilution
Power generation
• Wastewater
• Hydropower
• Cooling water
• Cooling water
• Outfalls
Reservoirs
Levees

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Engineering Uses of
Surface Water Hydrology
Average events (average annual rainfall,
evaporation, infiltration...)
• Expected average performance of a system
• Potential water supply using reservoirs
Frequent extreme events (10 year flood, 10 year low
flow)
• Levees
• Wastewater dilution
Rare extreme events (100 to PMF)
• Dam failure Probable maximum flood
• Power plant flooding
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Hydraulic Survey

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Free Running Water
For Seas
- mean sea level datum (MSL)
- mean high water springs (MHWS) and mean low
water springs (MLWS)
- lowest astronomical tide (LAT)
- rise and range of tide with reference to Standard and
Secondary Ports
- tidal streams
- the prevailing current speed and direction
- predominant wave pattern and predictable variations
thereto
- general morphological data
- quantity and pattern of siltation.
siltation.
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Application

Cooling Water Intake & Discharge

Intake Velocity Cap → Offshore Intake Conduit →

C. W. Pump Structure → Intake Conduit →
Condenser → Discharge Conduit → Discharge Channel
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Flood Design Techniques
Use stream flow records
• Limited data
• Can be used for high probability events
Use precipitation records
• Use rain gauges rather than stream gauges
• Determine flood magnitude based on precipitation,
runoff, streamflow
Create a synthetic storm
• Based on record of storms

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Pollution Survey

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 General

Survey, remediation,
assessment, and control for soil
contamination

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