The purpose of engineering and geological surveys is their composition, stages and periods of their implementation

Each site has its own specific engineering and geological conditions that have developed as a result of previously developed endogenous and exogenous processes. These conditions, among other natural, must be taken into account when designing and constructing buildings and structures. The purpose of engineering-geological surveys is to study the natural engineering-geological and hydrogeological conditions of the construction site and forecast their possible changes during construction and during the operation of facilities. At the same time, ways of maximum preservation of the environment and ways of restoring the consequences of the negative impact of structures on the environment should be identified.

Knowledge of the geotechnical conditions of the territories to be built allows to find the most rational solution in the design of the structure, to choose the most optimal solutions for the preservation and improvement of the geological environment. Unfortunately, sometimes when choosing a territory for building, due attention is not paid to engineering geological conditions. This, as a rule, leads to higher construction costs, significant repair costs during the operation of the structure, and in some cases to the abandonment of the selected site even after the development of the territory begins.

Engineering and geological surveys are entirely the responsibility of a geological engineer, but the civil engineer needs to know the composition, content and scope of engineering and geological surveys at different stages of design, since he must take an active part in developing programs for engineering and geological surveys.

The composition of engineering and geological surveys include:

- collection, analysis and synthesis of literature and stock materials on the natural conditions of the area (site) of construction;

- engineering and geological reconnaissance;

- engineering and geological survey

- engineering and geological exploration.

Engineering and geological surveys are carried out in two stages. At the first stage, surveys are carried out to select a construction site; at the second stage, surveys are carried out on an already selected site.

The first stage of the survey is carried out in the case when there is a possibility to choose the place of construction. Then the geotechnical conditions of the territory are among the factors affecting it, which in some cases can lead to a significant reduction in the cost of the structures being built. This equally applies also to the projects of planning and development of new-built cities, districts of large cities, micro-districts, towns and industrial enterprises. At this stage of the survey, an engineering-geological survey is carried out, which should characterize the construction area and identify individual areas with worse and better engineering-geological conditions.

Next, the geological zoning is done on the collected material, i.e. the division of the territory into areas or zones with relatively homogeneous engineering-geological conditions. Such a division allows the most rational solution of the issues of territory planning (to place green areas in the least favorable places, to place heavy buildings where there are solid grounds, etc.) taking into account environmental protection.

The geotechnical survey performed at this stage is preceded by the study of literary sources and stock (archival) materials. At the same time geotechnical and hydrogeological conditions, the presence of geodynamic processes, as well as the composition and properties of soils are identified. Taking into account the collected materials, a reconnaissance is carried out, which evaluates the completeness of the collected material, possible geodynamic processes at the construction site. At the second stage of surveys, engineering and geological surveys and engineering and geological surveys are carried out to develop a master plan, space-planning and design solutions for buildings and structures, taking into account their interaction with the geological environment, solving specific issues in the design of objects constructed in complex engineering-geological conditions. . This stage also includes work performed during the construction and operation of buildings and structures.

All types of engineering and geological surveys are carried out in three periods - preparatory, field and chamber.

According to the results of the work performed are:

- during reconnaissance, a conclusion including a schematic map;

- when shooting - an engineering-geological map, a map of the actual material and a report;

- during exploration - report.