Importance of Geotechnical Investigation in HDD Projects
The critical role of geotechnical investigation in the information gathering and risk assessment phase of Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) projects. The process begins with a thorough review of all available background information, including previous geotechnical reports from past projects, highway construction, and utility work in the area, as well as data from local soil conservation offices. Following this, a field reconnaissance is conducted to visually assess the site, examining geotechnical features such as water bodies, soil types, and visible rock outcrops, which provide essential insights into the subsurface conditions that could impact the HDD operation.