Engineering surveys in construction are one of the mandatory stages of work preceding design activities. At this stage, specialists determine the characteristics of the terrain, the properties of the soil, the possibility of using certain structures and materials. The final results are taken into account when developing a technical solution for the planned construction. In turn, environmental surveys are part of a comprehensive survey of a specific area and also serve as a source of information for the development and justification of a construction project. In particular, the data of such studies often become the basis of environmental and hygienic documentation.
Legal regulation of environmental surveys
The basic rules in accordance with which the survey activity is implemented are established by the provisions of SNiP. Specialists have developed a document with the requirements for which it is possible to carry out environmental engineering surveys for construction. SP 11-102-97, for example, was designed for use by design and survey enterprises and organizations that carry out activities in the field of construction and design.
The established rules regulate the activities of organizations interested in this area both from the point of view of legal aspects and in technical terms. Actually, without the availability of properly executed documentation based on the survey results, no company will be able to develop a legally competent construction project. As a rule, environmental surveys as a result of a comprehensive survey make it possible to prepare protocols and expert opinions on several types of analyzes, depending on the requirements of the project. On a mandatory basis, developers and designers receive from survey organizations information on climatic characteristics and the background concentration of pollutants. But this is not all of the studies that are conducted in terms of environmental research.
The composition of the survey
The basis for basic research is the so-called stock materials and information on the state of the local environment. In the process of studying the characteristics, tools can be used to compare similar objects that operate in similar environmental conditions. Also, modern technology allows you to shoot several types. This field of research also provides for the interpretation of aerospace materials, as well as the use of multi-zone and radar surveys.
Of course, a special place is taken by surveys of air and the environment as a whole in terms of pollution. Nowadays, environmental surveys rarely do without assessing the radiation environment, physical negative impacts on the ecosystem, testing air pollution, etc. Hydrological resources are also being studied from various aspects in the laboratory. This category of analyzes is important for the development of residential projects, and in the construction of production facilities.
Collection of materials for research
Specialists collect materials that provide information on the state of the natural conditions of the region with a view to their further generalization and analysis. Directly for builders, the information received remains relevant at almost all stages of the work from designing the foundation to choosing a roofing finish. However, not all information is obtained in the course of new laboratory tests. Some of the materials can be obtained in the archives of authorized local authorities performing security functions. In particular, these may be centers of hydrometeorological research and environmental monitoring, as well as funds of territorial design and survey organizations.
As for the new research results, environmental engineering surveys involve the collection, analysis and study of the components of the local environment. These include soil, landscape, zoogeographic and other documents reflecting the properties and characteristics of the natural components of a particular area.
Route Observations
Route observations usually precede the main types of field research activities. At the same time, environmental and engineering surveys at this stage are accompanied by the interpretation of the landscape display tables, which provides for the refinement of individual terrain features, control of the results and adjustment with standardization. The main task of route observations is to obtain quantitative and qualitative parameters and characteristics of the components of the local ecological situation.
This part collects data on groundwater and surface water, the geological environment, the state of the soil cover, animal and plant worlds, anthropogenic impacts, etc. In addition, environmental surveys of this kind may also include a survey of development areas. Bypassing territories with inspection of landfills, landfills, sedimentation tanks, oil storage facilities and other potentially dangerous sources of pollution is practiced.
Mine workings
At this stage, the engineering and geological conditions of the area are evaluated. The composition and degree of permeability of the soil layer are analyzed, rocks are examined, and the possible presence of water-resistant components and hydraulic connections between surface waters and aquifer flows are checked.
At this stage, aspects of the survey are particularly evident in which the geological and environmental surveys of the territory converge. Surveyors perform the selection of soils, groundwater and soil in order to determine the chemical composition and identify the content of unwanted elements. Direct mining is located along sections that occupy a perpendicular position with respect to the boundaries of geomorphological elements.
Soil Environmental Survey
The study of soil cover can be carried out in different conditions. The purpose of the survey is to determine how the designed structure will affect the forest and agricultural land adjacent to the development area. Soil sampling can also be carried out for further analysis on the subject of the possibility of placing waste landfills on the territory. Conversely, environmental surveys for construction regarding soil surveys can be carried out to develop landscaping projects or recreational areas.
The initial parameters and data of soil types are determined on the basis of the collection and laboratory analysis of the materials taken. Again, it is not necessary to collect samples directly at the site of future development or placement of other facilities. The analysis of samples that are at the disposal of territorial land cadastres is also practiced.
Assessment of harmful physical processes
When examining territories for pollution, a special concentration coefficient is used, which determines the ecological condition of the area. To obtain information on the background regional pollution level, appropriate soil samples can be taken located outside the area of local anthropogenic impact. There are also special conditions for sampling at events that are part of environmental engineering surveys for construction. SP 11-102-97, in particular, instructs to take background samples from the windward side with respect to remoteness from the settlements. In addition, the sampling point should be located at least 500 m from the roads.
Conclusion
Despite the narrow focus of environmental surveys, they make a significant contribution to the future design and construction of a particular area. Depending on the characteristics of the building, specialists can determine the properties of the area according to several criteria. Comprehensive environmental surveys are also practiced, the price of which can be about 10-15 thousand rubles. It is advisable to use this option if it is planned to build a private house or production facility. The owner will thus be able to assess not only the ecological condition of the area, but also collect information on hydrological, soil and geological resources. The quality of the information received depends on the competence of the organization hired for survey work.