Construction Portfolio- Fundamentals of Technology
Site Investigation Case Study

Prior to any site start there are many items that should be discussed, confirmed and evaluated, this will include site investigations, safety measures needed to begin constructing on site, along with occupational safety. There must be knowledge of the soils and soil types at our site, through the use of soil surveys, soil sampling, soil testing and soil excavations. The knowledge of this can be achieved through various channels- generally beginning with a desk top study- throughout this evaluative and balanced response I will outline the requirements for an adequate site investigation, through evaluating and considering appropriate secondary research- and lastly through sketches relevant to the site of the proposed restaurant, ice cream parlour and manager’s apartment at Swansea fore shore, whilst offering the most practical and efficient foundation type. Whilst referencing the building regulations that will need to be adhered to throughout the construction of the development. 
With the location being around Oystermouth Road, Swansea, which is approximately 3 minutes’ walk to the library. Located excellently North East of Victoria Park, and in prime location of Swansea beach. With ideal vantage points with views overlooking the Sea, via Oystermouth Road. The proposed is evidently close to the coastline as shown in the image below. The site will be quite uneven where the grass area towards the coastline is raised far higher than the majority of the surrounding land here vegetation is located separating the Marriot hotel and the county hall. See Appendix A:
https://www.primelocation.com/to-rent/property/swansea/oystermouth-road/
Appendix A: 
 
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/Oystermouth+Rd

As our proposed site is on Oyster mouth Road, where previously there was a railway line. Where, it is rumored that here; was the first fare- paying by passenger’s line. The railway was opened in 1804 following engineer Richard Trevithick, built and ran from Merthyr Tydfil to Abercynon, acting as a goods line. Mumbles railway was built under an Act of Parliament authorising carriage removal of limestone from quarries to the docks in Swansea. From there the limestone will have been globally, to all prats of the world. The railway was electrified in 1928-29, in preparation for being operated by vehicles using pantograph system. Following world war two it became aware that the tram had become clearly outdated compared to the modern buses. Although touted as not being as atmospheric. Mumbles railway was bought by the South Wales transport company in 1958, where they ran buses and coaches in Swansea area preempting what was to come. This will be a point of reference when compiling a site investigation the relevant contractor in this case the soil investigator. 
https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8168/7637585190_c7a74a2691_b.jpg
https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/waleshistory/2011/03/the_mumbles_railway.html
Further background history of the proposed site, will be that there were canister works in the area along with an engine shed, where then there an abundance of factories due to the locality to Swansea docks. Where in 1904 the Castle Steam Trawler Company were no longer operating in Milford Haven and decided to base in Swansea.

Our proposed site, being the restaurant, ice cream parlor and manager’s apartment at Swansea foreshore, we will need to compile a desk study. The reason we begin with a desk top study is there is usually a vast amount of information available to us freely or at very low cost- as our proposed site is a brownfield site which has already been constructed on there is relevant information readily available. A desk top study is carried out purely through research hence the low cost. Desktop studies were criticized, immensely following the Grenfell Tower in 2017, where they were frequently used rather than a full scale physical test. However an independent review into Building Regulations and Fire Safety, led by Jamie Hackitt in May 2018, showed concerns about the amount of supporting test data and the competence of authors.
https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/Desktop_study    
Albeit, Desk top studies to serve a definite purpose in the feasibility of working on site, in terms of our site, beginning with the historical background of the site, this will give an idea of the previous use of the site and show what might possibly be within the ground. A detailed desk top study id to include, ordnance survey maps- with historical and modern mapping making note of the grid references. As well as geological mapping, subsoil types and possible radon risks. Also good mention should be made in terms of site history as shown in the following paragraph, with the detail mentioned of whether the proposed site is green field or brown field, in which case our proposal will be made on a brownfield site. Reference should be made to past application and approvals where information can be found through the local authority websites. Further information will be available in way of development restriction paying particular reference to delivery and work prohibited hours. There is also a need to develop a good understanding of the development restrictions where the main point of order will be whether there are conservation orders in place in the proposed and surrounding areas. Ecology factors should be thought through and ascertained and lastly but not exhaustive, the proximity of local land fill sites, where that can help develop a well thought through rick level of methane and other possible harmful gases that could be exposed. Roy Chudley & Roger Greeno 2011.
Through a site investigation, it will be my responsibility as junior construction professional to advise how and what steps should be taken to engage and determine the adequate foundation type is constructed. This can be achieved through boreholing; the purpose of the boreholing is to obtain subsoil samples to enable identification of class and to determine characteristics of the sub soil and its properties, trial pits and augered holes could also be used to show the presence of geological faults and the upper or lower limits of the water table. A borehole is site investigative technique where a sample is taken within an aquifer to determine the groundwater within a given area. Boreholes should be placed within 5- 10 metres of eachother, this, will provide a realistic idea of the soil integrity and possible contamination within the soil. Samples obtained when performing a site investigation drilling will be subject to temperature change. Quantification of changes and the minimal differences should help in way of determining the correct foundation type. The foundation type will depend on the soil characteristics following the site investigation in this particular case the bore holed soil sample. Soil largely consists of mineral matter which is formed through the breakdown and decomposition of rocks. Also disintegrated soil could be caused through act of water, ice and frost- mainly encompassing temperature change, through way of either mechanical or through biology such as animal life, there is a possibility of a break down of soil integrity through chemical alteration leading to contaminated soil. 
Appendix B:
 
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/v3FIm9K2xm8/UqnvhkmKcpI/AAAAAAAAMbQ/7M3bCtsQhNw/s1600/19.jpg
Virtually all soils contain water depending on the condition, location. In the case of our proposed site the weathering and erosion is unlikely to have occurred due to the distance set back from the Sea. If our proposed site was further towards the coast line there would be a presence of regolith- which is the layer of partially weathered rocks, above the bedrock. A more stable and intricate foundation type would be needed in that case, such as driven piling foundation.
The main characteristics of a soil is determined through the bedrock it is formed by, this is universally known as the ‘Parent Material. The parent material of the ground on our proposed site is likely to be sand. The generic make up of soil around coastal lines are usually of a rarer nature where Swansea it is likely that the sandy soil will be a lot drier than that of soil further towards the City centre, this in turn means that the soil will lack the vital nutrients. When constructing the proposed building there will be a definite consideration needed as to land drainage as the sandy soil will have very little to no ability to move water from the deep layers through capillary transport.
Particular mention must be made to the foundation type that should be used on sandy weak ground, which in this case it is. It would be my suggestion as the junior construction professional to lead with a Raft foundation. Where these types of foundation types are used to spread the superstructure load over a larger area, where the spread of the load is taken throughout the range of the concrete reducing the load per unit area where it is imposed on the ground and this becomes useful where low bearing capacity soils are in question and individual columns are deemed very heavy. A further way in which a raft foundation will be beneficial for this development is that the overall differential settlement of soil can be reduced. With the proposed building being a rather large complex area with various spans of internal walls, there will be great loads on the points of question in terms of pillars. The most efficient way in spreading this force will be to use a raft foundation, for reasons mentioned above.  A typical Raft Foundation type sketch is shown below. Appendix C:
 
When constructing a new development there are Building Regulations that must be adhered to- Building regulations are generally the ‘Statutory Instrument’ which outline the minimum requirements and performance standards for design and furthermore the construction of developments and buildings. Regulations are supported with further documents known as Approved Documents, which are non- statutory publications that support the Building Regulations issued by the Stationery Office. The approved documents essentially; comply with performance standards of regulations. Codes of practice are to be adhered to; which include but aren’t limited to British Standards and Building Research Establishment reports.
There are separate Building regulations for each of Wales and England the stand out building regulation is where the Welsh government has amended Approved Documents B volumes one and two to include guidance around fire safety. Where the requirement will include Sprinkler Systems- which through the guidance of the Fire Service access is to be changed or constructed to increase the maximum distance for pump appliances from the building from the original and previously 45 metres to the now standing 60m. Also the system is to cover the whole building disregarding any fire separated Garages. With our proposed site being a parlour style ice cream shop there will be plenty of generally populated people passing, creating foot traffic, the need of Sprinkler Systems will be intensified.
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/832633/Approved_Document_B__fire_safety__volume_2_-_2019_edition.pdf
Part Q of the Building Regulations concern Security in dwellings, to adhere to this the proposed development must have ground floor, basement and other easily accessible windows that are secure windows also frames should be mechanically fixed to the structure of the building which the meet the instructions given by the manufacture. Also a secure door set must be in place which constitutes a doorset that is proven to be able to withhold a physical attack by an opportunist or casual burglar. Unless it a bespoke doorset in which case it must incorporate construction features that are proven to reduce crime, such as screw lengthened, or hardware covers to be fitted.

The last building regulation I will discuss is in the form of the structure of the building which regards approved document A. Basic requirements for stability as in document A; are that there is suitable layout of walls both internal and external, which are to form a structurally sound box structure, where the internal walls are to be connected adequately by masonry bonding or by using mechanical connections. Where as in the case of the proposed site, there must be a balance of wide space within the structure allowing a relaxed and friendly environment encouraging interaction, whilst always adhering to the basic requirements of stability.
In Conclusion, the proposal of the Ice Cream Parlour at Oystermouth Road, will be along a stretch that was previously a poignant item of Welsh railway. With mention of household names in the railway trade such as Richard Trevethick. With the site being in a sandy soil area it is vital that boreholing and other soil sampling techniques are to be undertaken. Following the results of this it will be likely that the most efficient both cost and structural foundation type will be a raft foundation. Once the foundation is dealt with there must be building regulations adhered to, as previously mentioned, Part A with structural stability, Part B with sprinkler systems and Part Q with security, with these vital documents followed in line with other building regulations, there will be a great development that is all safe, enjoyable for the consumer and ultimately well founded through all aspects from desk top study to the last bit of information advised by the architect.