Trial Pitting and Trenching

Name: Ruddlesden Geotechnical
Price range: $

Trial pits and trial trenches provide an effective and efficient method of ground investigation.

They allow a large volume of the ground to be inspected and tested in-situ, including hand shear vane, soakaway and CBR testing. As well as enabling samples to be taken for geotechnical and contamination testing, trial pits and trenches can be useful in mining and foundation investigations.

Trial pitting and trenching have also been effectively used for other purposes, including to identify infilled limestone solution features, the depth to engineering rock-head, the presence of slip-prone horizons for stability analysesand to ascertain general ground conditions across sites.

Case Study

Trial Trenches Expose Historical Coal Mining Entries near Bristol

A combination of trial pitting and trenching was undertaken at a site in an area of historical coal mining to the north of Bristol as part of a coal mining risk assessment. This exploratory technique was used to provide an indication of the natural ground conditions beneath the site, as well as to delineate historical mining features, including mine entries. The trial trenches and trial pits enabled a sufficient volume of the ground to be inspected and historical mining features to be identified and described by our engineering geologist, whilst maintaining a sufficiently safe distance from the historical mine entries.