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investigation projects

If you’d like to see our service up close, have a look at some case studies below. You’ll find details covering what the project involved, where it was carried out and who our clients were. If you’d like to enquire, contact us directly.

Forestmill.

Clyde Ground Investigation were subcontracted to SGN (Scotia Gas Networks) to carry out a full ground investigation package.

We undertook comprehensive ground investigation works to facilitate the re-routing of a high-pressure gas main that had become exposed due to riverbank erosion. Over approximately three weeks, our team, consisting of drill crews and a supervising engineer, conducted various investigative methods, including trial pits, cable percussion, and rotary drilling, along the proposed new route of the gas main.

The primary objective was to assess the ground conditions to support the re-routing and directional drilling of the gas main through farmland and the edge of a quarry. A small river, which separates the farmland from the quarry, had experienced significant erosion during winter spates, exposing sections of the current gas main.

We deployed our in-house resources to:

  • Establish a site compound
  • Coordinate with landowners
  • Conduct all ground investigation activities


Specialist low ground pressure equipment was used in certain areas due to wet surface conditions.

  • Trial Pits: 13 pits were excavated to a depth of 4.5 metres.
  • Boreholes: 6 boreholes were drilled to a depth of 20 metres.


All laboratory testing was outsourced to external laboratories. Upon completion, we provided a factual report and an AGS (Association of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Specialists) data set to our client.

Land access was arranged by SGN, with Clyde GI managing the liaison with each landowner to coordinate movements to each drilling location.

This comprehensive investigation ensured that the necessary data was collected to proceed with the safe and effective re-routing of the high-pressure gas main.

Window sampling is ideal for restricted-access urban sites, such as back gardens, basement projects, or narrow alleyways in Edinburgh’s Old Town. Because the rigs are compact and often tracked, they can maneuver into tight spaces where larger transition rigs cannot. This method is perfect for shallow environmental testing and geotechnical soil profiling up to 5–8 meters.

Edinburgh is famous for its hard volcanic strata, such as basalt. To penetrate these layers, we utilize Rotary Core Drilling. Unlike standard soil boring, rotary drilling uses diamond or tungsten-tipped bits to cut through solid rock, providing high-quality core samples that allow engineers to determine the rock’s strength and structural integrity for heavy foundation design.

Cable Percussive (Shell & Auger) drilling is typically used for soft ground, such as the glacial clays and sands found in the Lothians. It is excellent for deep boreholes and standard penetration tests (SPT). Rotary drilling is used once we hit “bedrock” or very dense stony layers where the percussive tools can no longer penetrate. Often, we use a “combi” approach to get through the soil and into the rock below.

Yes. All our ground investigations and drilling operations are carried out in strict accordance with British Standards (BS 5930) and Eurocode 7. This ensures that the borehole logs and technical data we provide are fully “architect-ready” and meet the rigorous requirements of the City of Edinburgh Council’s building control and planning departments.

Safety is our priority. Before any rig is deployed, we conduct a thorough service clearance (CAT and Genny scan) and review utility plans to identify buried pipes, cables, or historical infrastructure. This is especially critical in Edinburgh’s city center, where centuries of utility layers are often undocumented.

Most residential investigations are completed safely within a single day. Commercial and industrial sites naturally vary depending on the scope of work, but operating our own plant means we never wait on third-party equipment rentals, keeping your project on track.

Yes. Our in-situ testing process evaluates both soil and water properties to give you a complete, accurate picture of your site’s profile.

Absolutely. We hold ISO 9001, ISO 45001, and ISO 14001 accreditations, demonstrating our strict adherence to quality management, health and safety, and environmental responsibility.

We select the appropriate machinery for your specific site. For domestic projects, we utilise techniques designed to minimise noise and physical impact on your garden or driveway.

While our headquarters are based locally, our fully qualified engineers regularly travel to sites throughout Scotland and the wider UK to deliver complete engineering packages.

Yes, even smaller projects can be affected by unknown ground conditions. A proper investigation helps reduce risks like weak soil or unexpected delays during construction. It also gives you a clearer understanding of site conditions before any work begins, helping avoid costly changes later on.

The timeframe depends on the size and complexity of the site. Some projects can be completed in a day or two, while larger or more detailed investigations may take longer due to deeper drilling and site access requirements.

In-situ testing services allow us to measure ground behaviour directly on the site and in real conditions. By doing this, we can provide more accurate and practical results because the soil is tested in its natural state, not just in a lab environment. It also helps us confirm findings immediately during fieldwork.

Drilling allows us to access different depths below the surface so we can collect representative samples and understand how ground conditions change underground. This is a key part of producing reliable data that supports safe and effective decisions and reduces uncertainty during construction planning.

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