The development of land surface evaluation for engineering practice

• Published in: Land Surface Evaluation for Engineering Practice Vol. 18; pp. 3 - 9
• Main Authors: Griffiths, J. S., Edwards, R. J. G.
• Format: Book Chapter
• Language: English
• Published: The Geological Society of London 01.01.2001
• Series: Geological Society, London, Engineering Geology Special Publications
• ISBN: 9781862390843; 1862390843
• ISSN: 0267-9914; 2041-4730
• DOI: 10.1144/GSL.ENG.2001.018.01.01

The First Working Party Report (Anon. 1982) defined ‘Land surface evaluation’ for engineering practice as: ‘The evaluation and interpretation of land surface features and recorded surface data using one or a combination of the ground mapping, interpretation, classification and visual remote sensing techniques outlined in this report’. The techniques outlined in the report were land classification, remote sensing and geomorphological mapping. The expression ‘land surface evaluation’ was adopted in preference to ‘terrain evaluation’ or ‘terrain classification’ because the varied uses of the terms had created confusion and led to misunderstandings. For this same reason in this Second Working Party Report the expression ‘land surface evaluation’ has been maintained. Developments since the 1982 Report was published require revision to the definition of ‘land surface evaluation’. The definition proposed by the Second Working Party is: ‘The evaluation and interpretation of land surface and near surface features using techniques that do not involve ground exploration by excavation or geophysics’. This rather broader definition allows land surface evaluation to be seen in its most common context as the process of data compilation, interpretation and conceptual ground modelling prior to undertaking engineering ground or site investigation work. It therefore specifically includes the integration of all existing ground information (desk study) whether it is surface or subsurface information. The first objective of a land surface evaluation study is to acquire the most comprehensive conceptual ground model that can be generated in order to maximize the value and justify the cost