Geotechnical investigation
A geotechnical investigation is a study of subsurface soil, rock and groundwater conditions, usually based on borings, test pits and lab testing, that informs foundation design and earthwork. For data centers, it checks bearing capacity, shallow rock, expansive or soft soils, karst, groundwater depth and seismic site class. Findings can change grading costs, foundation types and where heavy equipment can sit.
The full guide · Environmental & physical riskSlope, Soils and Geotechnical Review for Data Center SitesHow slope, soils, bedrock, karst and groundwater affect data center sites, what a geotechnical investigation includes, and which conditions add cost or risk.Where Geotechnical investigation comes up
- Environmental & physical riskSeismic Risk and Data Center Site Selection: Hazard Maps, Design Categories and Liquefaction
- Land & site fundamentalsCertified Sites and Shovel-Ready Programs: What They Mean for Data Centers
- Land & site fundamentalsGross vs. Buildable Acreage: How Much of a Site You Can Use
- Grid regionsData Center Site Selection in the Mountain West and Desert Southwest
- Decisions and trade-offsConverting a Warehouse or Factory to a Data Center vs. Building New
- Campus design & constructionData Center Physical Security and Perimeter Design: Setbacks, Fencing and Crash-Rated Barriers
- Zoning, permitting & communitySite Plan Review for Data Centers: What It Covers and How Long It Takes
- Environmental & physical riskKarst, Sinkholes and Data Center Sites: How to Screen and Investigate the Ground