How to analyse construction site ground conditions

Why do you need to know how to conduct a ground condition assessment on a construction site?

Construction site ground conditions can be difficult to ascertain; that’s why assessments are essential to determine the most suitable ground protection system for a project. Assessments also confirm the required configuration and installation method.

Knowing how to conduct a ground condition assessment is a very useful skill on a construction site. It ensures the safety and stability of the site as a whole. By understanding the condition of the ground, potential risks can be identified. Common risks include weak or unstable marshy soil, waterlogged areas, or areas prone to erosion. If panels are installed over unsafe ground, it could result in the ground giving way. It is also not uncommon for the panels sink into the ground. This leads to significant safety hazards and potential damage to both the equipment and the project.

Additionally, the instability of the ground may prevent installation trucks from accessing the site, hindering the ability to install. This could cause not only an abandoned installation but also lead to unexpected delays. Other consequences include increased costs, and downtime for the customer.

How to assess construction site ground conditions safely

1. Confirm the conditions you’re dealing with by ground type prior to proceeding

If you’re planning to hire ground protection, the first question any hire company will ask is about the type of ground you’ll be working on. Generally, we find most surfaces fall under the following categories: grass, paving, beach, tarmac, stone or peat. The ground conditions are typically flat, soft, sloping, rutted or firm.

2. Establish the equipment and time required to assess site ground conditions 

As a hire company, in the first instance, we rely on our client to undertake CBR checks. We then make an informed decision on the required access solution based on our engineers’ knowledge and experience.

3. Get strategic about when you’re planning on assessing conditions

Clients will often only measure the linear or square meterage required and not take into consideration additional site constraints. Therefore, we always request that we carry out our own site survey as well.

When it comes to fully assessing the ground conditions, this is something we ask our clients to set aside time for. Trackway should be the first piece of equipment to arrive on site and the last to leave. Before the project, we require access to the site to be able to conduct a formal RAMS risk and ground conditions assessment.

4. Create a checklist of the types of issues that could occur, and be mitigated by, a ground conditions analysis 

Included on the checklist should be HGV access, the presence of overhead cables, the need for traffic or pedestrian management to enable HGV access for installation, etc. There are also additional considerations that should be included on a checklist when access is required over grass as the ground may be heavily saturated, or there may be underground services such as gas pipes and water mains where the panels are to be installed. The proposed trackway route may also be obstructed by vegetation such as trees, stumps, shrubbery, long grass etc.

5. If issues are identified, create a priority timeline of actions in order to address them effectively 

When using an in-depth RAMS (Risk Assessment Method Statement), each risk can be numerically calculated and the highest risks can then be prioritised first.

Common ground assessment outcomes

Due to wet weather in the UK, we often find many outdoor surfaces have soft soil. The ground may be too soft to support heavy machinery or large amounts of foot traffic without sinking. Protection like heavy-duty mats are often recommended. 

We also commonly find that even sites which appear flat, upon closer inspection, are sloping with gradients. Sloping grounds hold additional risks for equipment stability. Our aluminium trackway panels slide seamlessly together along their 3-metre width to form a ground-hugging articulated joint across contours and uneven surfaces.

Increasing ground condition safety with Davis Track Hire 

At Davis Trackhire, we are not only well rehearsed in analysing construction site ground conditions but we are also the uk’s largest independent supplier of aluminium roadways and we were recently awarded Scotland’s Top Road Safety Operator 2025. There are so many reasons to choose us to assist you with your construction site ground conditions.

Speak to our friendly hire desk team today if you’d like to learn more.