In: Civil Engineering
Describe (1)why the improved approaches for the site
characterization is needed, and (2) key
characteristics of the improved approaches.
1. Improved approaches are required :
1) To study the general suitability of the site for an
engineering project.
2) To enable a safe, practical and economic design to be
prepared.
3) To determine the possible difficulties that may be encountered
by a specific
construction method for any particular civil project.
4) To study the suitability of construction material (soil or
rock).
5) To prevent the delay of any construction project due to
problematic ground
conditions.
2. Key characteristics of improved approaches :
The conceptual model is developed from analysis of site operating history, regional geology and hydrology, validated results from prior investigations, and field investigation results. It identifies the contaminant sources, the receptors, and the pathways that contaminants can take to reach the receptors. Information about regional and site-specific geology/hydrogeology, as well as knowledge of the contaminant fate and transport, are necessary for making and revising sampling and analytical decisions.
In addition to above sampling procedures, sampling bias and sampling errors are introduced, leading to some guidance on sample handling, shipping, and chain-of-custody procedures.