Page 20 - StonecrestAnnual2017

WHAT A

GEOTECHNICAL REPORT
SHOULD CONTAIN

In all projects, a number of contractors and engineers will minimum guidelines and regulations for the type of storage
be required. Whether constructing a commercial project structure and to ensure two levels of groundwater protection.
or building a new agricultural facility or nutrient storage In combination with the required setback distances from water
facility, the soil conditions and bearing capacity are some wells, the minimum criteria is intended to provide protection

of the most important factors in building a suitable structure. against groundwater contamination. Two layers of protection

In order to build an agricultural structure, the owner must are required to minimize any leakage from liquid manure

conform to the regulations of the Nutrient Management Act. To storage from reaching groundwater - the structure being one

address these requirements, and ensure your structure is built layer and hydraulically secure soil (or liner) being the second.

on a structurally adequate base, the services of a Geotechnical During the investigation, the groundwater elevation and

Engineer may be required. bedrock elevations are noted, as well as open water sources and

A Geoscientist or Geotechnical Engineer is an expert at nearby structures to ensure that proper separation distances are

evaluating soil and groundwater conditions as they relate to provided to protect sensitive areas.

design and construction. They are commonly used for proposed A Geotechnical Engineer should not only provide the required

manure storage facilities, as well as for general and pre- assessment during your planning process, but should be onsite

construction geotechnical investigations. during construction. This onsite inspection helps to ensure that

A site characterization study is usually completed if a new nutrient soils are consistent with the initial report and any unforeseen

management storage is to be constructed or in situations where soil conditions experienced during excavation are addressed

the ground conditions appear questionable for construction. and remediated prior to construction.

Geotechnical investigations for proposed nutrient management When selecting a Geotechnical Engineer, there are many factors

storages assess the soil’s ability to support the required bearing to keep in mind - cost, efficiency to complete the work required

capacity as well as determine the site characteristics meet the onsite and thoroughness in their testing and reporting.

20 STONECREST ANNUAL 2017