What Is Desk Study In Site Investigation?

What Is Desk Study In Site Investigation?

A desk study is part of a geotechnical site investigation and involves the study and review of existing information about a site through resources such as maps, paper records, geological maps, old plans, photographs, and datasets.

It is carried out at an early stage of site appraisal to inform and guide the remainder of the site investigation. The desk study is also referred to as a Phase 1 Desk Study or Preliminary Risk Assessment, and it is often required for planning application approval.

The desk study includes a reconnaissance survey to assess the land for potential contaminants, invasive weed species, tree influence, evidence of potential flooding problems, etc.

It also considers historical plans, geological maps, and records (including mining and radon), data relating to landfills, waste, former industrial use, and environmental data (such as groundwater).

The process of completing a desk study generally includes: reviewing the details of the development proposal; appraising the risk and hazards posed by environmental and geotechnical conditions;

Producing a Preliminary Conceptual Model for the site; highlighting potential on-site and off-site sources of contamination; assessing the sensitivity of the site to any contamination; compiling preliminary information; producing a full desk study report.

The importance of a Phase 1 Desk Study lies in its ability to identify potential geotechnical, environmental, and ground engineering hazards at an early stage, which can help save time and money in the long run.

A Comprehensive Phase 1 GeoEnvironmental Desk Study usually takes around 6 working days to complete.

What Is The Objective Of Desk Study?

The main objective of a desk study is to evaluate ground conditions based on existing information and to plan the scope of the investigation.

This includes identifying potential ground-related hazards, assessing site lines, local context, archaeology, rights of way, and other environmental characteristics.

A desk study report can provide reassurance for investors or meet conditions for lenders, and typically involves gathering historical plans, geological maps and records (including mining and radon), data relating to landfills, waste, former industrial use, and environmental data.

The process of completing a desk study generally includes a site walkover survey to assess the land for potential contaminants, invasive weed species, tree influence, evidence of potential flooding problems, etc.

What Are The Advantages Of Desk Study In Construction?

The advantages of a desk study in construction include being less time-consuming and less expensive than a physical investigation.

Desk studies can be used for a variety of investigations, such as feasibility studies, preliminary site investigations, assessing site lines, local context, archaeology, and rights.

Desk studies are also useful for determining the risk of chalk dissolution features and whether a specialist investigation is required.

Desk research is also known as secondary research and involves reviewing previous research to gain an understanding of users, goals, and environments before embarking on any project.

Desk research can be found within an organization or through external sources such as published papers or reports. It is important to note that desk research is not about collecting data but rather reviewing existing data to gain insights into user needs and behaviors.

What Are The Limitations Of Desk Study?

The limitations of desk research include that:

1. It is limited to what is available and may therefore only provide partial answers, either in terms of the precision or the timeliness of the information.
2. Additionally, information availability and quality can vary considerably by industry and geography.
3. Desk research is also not about collecting data, but rather reviewing previous research.
4. Furthermore, desk research may not be directly relevant to specific research questions and can be outdated.
5. Finally, desk research does not take into account any confidentiality or privacy provisions that may be in place.