Supporting Ground Investigation
There’s plenty of variety at Brimstone UXO, but there are also recurring jobs that we do every single day! Supporting ground investigation is one of the most common things that we do, accounting for 50% of our work.
The Reasons For Ground Investigation
Ground investigation is crucial for any project that penetrates the soil, from remediation to archaeology. It’s a way to determine the condition of the ground before work starts, establishing a soil and rock profile and detecting any issues that might arise during the project, such as contamination, underground obstruction, groundwater and, you guessed it, unexploded ordnance!
We’re well practiced in supporting site investigation, with a whole range of methods under our belt. Our explosives engineers clear geotechnical and geo-environmental sites, assisting open trial pits and blind ground intrusions, including rotary, window(less) and cable percussive samples.
When we support ground investigation we are only concerned with the ground that’s being intruded and sampled and our clearance can be considered as acute and specific to the task at hand, but it’s more than sufficient to appease health and safety concerns as a result of UXO.
The Science Of Magnetometry
Every project is different, which is why we make sure to choose safe and effective methods suited to your exact requirements. However, our measures all use the science of magnetometry to detect any anomalies beneath the surface, either with a handheld scanner or a downhole probe. Magnetometers measure the variations in the earth’s magnetic field, using fluctuations to map geological features and detect ferrous objects.
For example, boreholes are a very common method of testing the soil. Our expert engineers support the investigation by assessing the local ground conditions, estimating the maximum depth a bomb could have penetrated. They test the surface using a magnetometer probe, and again at every 1-2 meters down the borehole. We attach the probe to a cable extension, letting us reach 30m below the surface, ensuring the safety of the project. Should we discover any anomalies during the ground investigation, our engineers are on hand to examine the suspicious object.
One Of Many Methods
Different projects suit different methodologies. We select a flexible method that’s certain to promote rather than hinder your excavations, from watching briefs to search and clear.
A watching brief refers to an excavation supervised by our UXO engineers. It could cover a trial pit, which is excavated to a shallow depth to gain an understanding of the soil profile and potential contamination. It might refer to archaeology or a reduced dig, where the top layer of soil is removed. It’s also possible to investigate at a deeper level during a watching brief, using technical equipment to search for metallic objects deep beneath the soil.
Alternatively, we might opt for a search and clear ground investigation, where we systematically clear areas of the site with handheld equipment, marking, logging and excavating suspicious objects as they present. Unlike borehole investigation, this process can detect ferrous and non-ferrous objects, such as aluminum detonators or brass fuses. This makes search and clear a particularly apt choice for ex-military land or large projects with restricted access, which must be clear of any background contamination.
Brimstone will deploy to any high-risk site where a ground investigation is taking place using machinery. This typically happens early on, letting you launch a safe project with minimal disruption.
Brimstone UXO
We’re the fastest-growing UK company for UXO risk management. If you require support for your ground investigation work, don’t hesitate to get in touch.
If you are unsure how we can best help you, you can use our handy online tool to find the right service for you and your project.
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