- case study
The Old Orchard
Ground Investigation & Factual Reporting
Factual subsurface information to support engineering assessment and design.
Ground investigation
The Old Orchard, DA1 3QU
13 September 2026
Completed
Project Overview
Metro Consultancy & Design delivered a ground investigation at The Old Orchard, DA1 3QU, to establish factual subsurface information for subsequent engineering assessment and design.
The fieldwork comprised two exploratory locations, window sampling, Standard Penetration Testing (SPT), disturbed soil sampling, groundwater observations and detailed strata logging.
Key Project Information
- Project
- The Old Orchard
- Services
- Window sampling, SPT and soil sampling
- Reporting
- Factual Ground Investigation Report
- BH1 / BH2
- 6.40 m / 5.60 m below ground level
- Completion
- Refusal recorded at both locations
Scope of Investigation
Initial hand excavation extended to approximately 1.20 m below ground level, followed by window sampling. The team undertook SPT testing at selected intervals, recovered disturbed samples and recorded strata and groundwater observations.
BH1 reached 6.40 m and BH2 reached 5.60 m below ground level. Refusal was recorded at both exploratory locations.
Ground Conditions
Both locations recorded approximately 0.70 m of turf, topsoil and made ground, including compact gravelly fill with brick rubble. Predominantly orange-yellow to light-brown fine sand lay beneath.
Sand density increased with depth, from loose to medium dense and dense, with very dense sand recorded at BH2.
Standard Penetration Testing
Recorded penetration resistance generally increased with depth:
BH1: N=8 at 1.20 m, increasing to N=44 at 6.00 m.
BH2: N=9 at 1.20 m and N=48 at 4.00 m; N=59 for 300 mm was recorded at 5.00 m.
Groundwater Observations
Both holes were recorded as dry and open on completion. No groundwater level was recorded during the investigation. These observations apply to the time of the works and may vary seasonally.
Site Delivery & Outcome
The compact window sampling rig operated from the existing access road within a controlled working area. Recovered samples were retained for logging and assessment.
The investigation provided a factual record of made ground over predominantly granular soils, with increasing density and penetration resistance at depth.
Borehole logs, SPT results, groundwater observations and photographs were compiled into a Factual Ground Investigation Report for subsequent engineering assessment and design.
