Field reconnaissance involves visual inspection of the site and examination of available documents
regarding site conditions. Information collected during field reconnaissance should include the
following:
• surface topography and adjacent land use;
• surface drainage patterns, and surface geologic patterns including rock outcrops, landforms,
existing excavations, and evidence of surface settlement;
• site access conditions and traffic control requirements for both investigation and
construction activities;
• areas of potential instability such as deposits of organic or weak soils, steep terrain slide
debris, unfavorably jointed or dipping rock, and areas with a high ground-water table;
• extent and condition (e.g., visible damage, corrosion) of existing above and below ground
utilities and structures; and
• available right-of-way (ROW) and easements required for the installation of ground anchors
and self-drilling anchor systems.
Site investigation and testing programs are necessary to evaluate the technical and economical
feasibility of an anchored system for a project application. The extent of the site investigation and
testing components for a project should be consistent with the project scope (i.e., location, size,
critical nature of the structure, and budget), the project objectives (i.e., temporary or permanent
structures), and the project constraints (i.e., geometry, constructability, performance, and
environmental impact). Typical elements of a site investigation and testing program are described
herein.