Chartered geotechnical engineers delivering actionable Geotechnical Ground Investigations, so you can design your foundations and get you site built
Gain Valuable Insights
Technically Robust
Eurocode Compliant Damage to buildings from subsidence and heave
Unsellable and uninsurable properties
Loss of value or profit from the site
Incorrectly designed foundations
Unnecessary delays and unexpected costs
Added cost, time and frustration to you and your design team
Your specialist Geotechnical Engineer is part of a dedicated team of Chartered professionals who have been successfully gaining regulatory approval for clients all over the UK, ensuring that their sites are safe and compliant places to live and work.
Our Geotechnical Ground Investigations are expertly undertaken by experienced geotechnical consultants and engineers
who are committed to providing you with technically robust reports that are tailored to meet your plans for the site.
Reduce your risk, by gaining valuable insights
Technically robust report, written to highest standards
Eurocode compliant, following British Standards Our team of chartered geotechnical engineers and consultants can
review your site and guide you through the complex process of undertaking a Geotechnical Investigation, so you can get your site approved and built.
They are ready to get started.
Answer a few questions, so together we can come up with a plan that fits your timescales and budget.
We work through the complex process of organising the site works and carrying out the Geotechnical Investigation.
Written with an engineer in mind, so they know what action to take for design purposes.
Geotechnical investigations also known as ground investigations or geotechnical surveys, are mainly required to determine the nature of the ground conditions and enable a structural engineer to design the foundations of a building.
Developments of all sizes may require a Geotechnical Site Investigation to accurately aid in the design of foundations, roads, retaining walls and drainage.
A Geotechnical Investigation typically involves the testing of soil and groundwater to understand the engineering capacity of the soils.
The type of testing depends on the type of structures proposed and location of the site relative to the anticipated ground conditions and geology. This is normally understood in advance using a Desk Study.
Geotechnical investigations are typically required to understand the engineering capability of the ground and aid with the design of foundations, drainage systems and ground hazards such as building near trees. The scale of developments that may require a geotechnical investigation can range from domestic extensions to large scale commercial premises, on brownfield or greenfield land.
Lustre Consulting has gained valuable experience carrying out geotechnical investigations, typically combined with a Phase 2 Site Investigation to form a geo-environmental investigation. Such investigations are designed to assess both the environmental and geotechnical ground conditions within one combined investigation providing a more efficient and cost-effective approach. Our geo-environmental investigations enable the early identification of potential constraints posed by the condition of the ground, and an indication of viable engineering solutions.
Each geotechnical investigation is site specific with the chosen exploratory method(s) depending on the site access, ground conditions and likely foundations (e.g. deep piles or traditional shallow pad foundations). Available methods include:
During the geotechnical investigation and depending on the ground conditions, a variety of techniques can be employed to assess the engineering capacity of the soils, by a combination of insitu and laboratory testing, including:
Our investigations also include hydrogeological assessments to evaluate groundwater movements, which are essential for designing basements and drainage systems. For example, soakage testing determines whether soakaways would be a suitable drainage option.
At Lustre Consulting, we specialise in designing cost-effective geotechnical investigations to assess the ground conditions and determine the engineering capacity of the site. Our investigations provide crucial data that supports safe and compliant foundation and structural design for your project, ensuring long-term stability.
To meet your requirements and ensure compliance with industry regulations, all our geotechnical investigations are conducted in strict accordance with British Standards (BS5930, BS1377, BS EN 1997-1) and BRE Guidance Notes, referencing the applicable Eurocodes where relevant. This ensures that our investigations meet the highest standards of accuracy and reliability, helping you avoid costly delays or compliance issues further down the line.
Our team of qualified and experienced geotechnical engineers are experts in recovering accurate samples, conducting in situ testing, and performing detailed soil logging in accordance with British Standards. We employ a range of advanced techniques including borehole drilling, trial pits, and dynamic probing, all tailored to the specific requirements of your site.
For projects involving basements, our geotechnical investigations often extend to supporting structural engineers to evaluate soil-structure interaction, assessing the impact of excavation works on nearby structures, and mitigating potential risks such as settlement or groundwater ingress. These assessments are normally needed by London Boroughs to ensure that basement designs in these areas are both safe and compliant with local planning requirements.
Following the geotechnical investigation, our findings are compiled into a comprehensive and interpretative report, offering clear and actionable conclusions. These reports include detailed recommendations for foundation design, drainage considerations, and any potential geotechnical challenges that may need to be addressed, such as potential heave when building rear trees or subsidence in building over soft and compressible ground. By providing early insights into ground conditions, we help you make informed decisions that support safe and efficient construction, reducing the risk of unforeseen ground-related issues.
Our focus on actionable and practical engineering solutions means you receive a geotechnical investigation report that meets the requirements of local planning authorities, civil engineers, and structural designers, giving you confidence in the success of your development project.
Do you have any NHBC requirements attached to your development? If so, the conditions may have details which require a Geotechnical Investigation to assess ground conditions for foundation design. Additionally, if your project involves a basement, a geotechnical investigation is essential to evaluate ground stability, groundwater flow, and the impact of your development on neighbouring properties or infrastructure.
In terms of programming, we will usually require 2 weeks from receipt of formal instruction to mobilise onsite depending on the scale of the investigation. The geotechnical analysis on soils will take up to four weeks after submission of the last soil sample, with further time needed if ground water monitoring in borehole wells if necessary.
We will assess the testing requirements of your site as well as any access restrictions when we prepare our Geotechnical Investigation proposal. Our experienced engineers and consultants have worked on a range of sites where access restrictions have been overcome.
A geotechnical investigation should not commence until the location of all services has been determined as they pose a significant health and safety risk. If up-to-date plans are not available, we recommend requesting them from the utility companies. If timescales are tight, we recommend a service clearance survey which can be combined with a level survey or a topographical survey if required. Enough time should be allowed to reduce the risk of a stroke.
If you are unsure as to whether you require a Geotechnical Investigation, please give us a call, so together we can discuss your requirements. Alternatively, please send an email to info@lustreconsulting.com and provide us with the site location and description of the proposed development.
Lustre Consulting was appointed by Equans to undertake a Phase 2 Geotechnical Investigation and provide a Remediation Verification Report for the redevelopment of a site located on Sansom Road in Leytonstone, East London. The project involved the construction of a six-storey residential apartment building, including communal landscaped areas, on a site with significant geoenvironmental challenges […]
Lustre Consulting was appointed by Equans to undertake a Phase...
Lustre Consulting was instructed by Fernham Homes to undertake to undertake a contaminated land assessment, consisting of a Phase 1 Desk Study and Phase 2 Site Investigation, for the proposed redevelopment of Orwell Spike, located in West Malling, Kent. The site, previously used as agricultural land, presented a range of geo-environmental and geotechnical challenges that […]
Lustre Consulting was instructed by Fernham Homes to undertake...
A Geotechnical Site Investigation was required by the London Borough of Southwark to confirm ground conditions at 12 residential terraced properties. These occupied residential dwellings belonged to local authority housing and were all experiencing various levels of wall cracking. The geotechnical investigations were required to confirm the nature and properties of the underlying substrata, including […]
A Geotechnical Site Investigation was required by the London...
Lustre Consulting was appointed by Corporation Street Hotel Ltd to provide a comprehensive contaminated land and geotechnical assessment for the redevelopment and regeneration of a site along Corporation Street in Rochester, Kent. Formerly a petrol station and currently operating as a car wash, the site had several unique environmental challenges and constraints. Leftover infrastructure from […]
Lustre Consulting was appointed by Corporation Street Hotel Ltd...
