The purpose of geognostic investigations is to provide the necessary data and information for the geological and geotechnical characterization of the different soil and rock strata involved, up to a level of depth adequate to the needs of the project. Geotechnical characterization is defined as the set of information and data obtained from site investigations, duly interpreted to provide an adequate description and reliable evaluation of the values of geotechnical parameters, considered in their lie in the subsoil, to be applied at the planning stage. They are briefly listed below:
- Continuous core sampling with retrieval of undisturbed samples
- Vibrocorer sampling (core samples of 3, 6 and 9 metres)
- Standard and dynamic cone penetration tests
- Pressuremeter, field vane and dilatometer tests
- Plate load tests
- Geoelectrical prospecting
- Geophysical radar prospecting
- Seismic prospecting
- Magnetometric prospecting
- Soil and interstitial gas sampling “gas survey ”