What is the purpose of a geotechnical investigation?

The purpose of a geotechnical investigation centers around assessing soil and rock properties. This investigation involves gathering crucial information about the physical and mechanical characteristics of the ground materials that will support a project. Understanding these properties is essential for evaluating the soil’s strength, stiffness, and compressibility, which inform the design and construction of foundations, slopes, and other earthwork.

Such evaluations play a critical role in ensuring the safety, stability, and sustainability of structures. For example, knowing the type and condition of soil can influence decisions on type of foundation to use, whether additional treatments or reinforcements are necessary, and the overall feasibility of the construction project in that location.

Other options, while related to the overall construction process, do not encapsulate the primary aim of a geotechnical investigation. Assessing construction costs and finalizing project designs rely on geotechnical findings, but they do not reflect the direct purpose of the investigation itself. Gathering weather data, although useful for construction planning, is tangential to the primary focus of understanding soil and rock characteristics.