Role and Responsibility in Site Investigation

Site investigation is the process for gathering all relevant information about the site of a proposed civil engineering or building development and its surrounding area. Ground investigation is the narrower process of acquiring information about the ground conditions in and around a site. This report examines the roles and responsibilities of people involved in site investigation in the UK, and also considers the objectives and basic requirements of ground investigation. It first reviews the procedures before contract: pre-tender activities, tender procedure, and form of contract. It then compares in detail the two forms of contract likely to be used for the two systems recommended in CIRIA Special Publication, No 45 (SP45). Reference is made to other relevant forms of contract. Who may be liable for error and omission in the investigation, and the nature of such liability, are considered in relation to System 1 and 2 contracts. Some future developments are indicated, with special reference to quality assurance.