GROUND CONDITION GUIDE
Made ground: establish what is present before drawing foundation conclusions.
Made ground can vary in origin, thickness, composition and engineering behaviour. An early screen can record its possible presence, but a competent project team must establish the actual ground model and what it means for the proposed structure and construction approach.
Site history: identify former uses, demolition, fill placement and potential obstructions using appropriate desk study and investigation work.
Variability: do not infer uniform conditions, bearing capacity or settlement performance from a single description of made ground.
Groundwater and contamination: consider the broader investigation, environmental and construction context through appropriately qualified specialists.
Foundation response: a screening tool cannot determine improvement depth, pile founding level, pad sizing, bearing capacity or settlement.