Trial pit
A trial pit (also known as a test pit) is a type of intrusive ground investigation that is used as a means of determining the condition of the ground, typically before beginning construction works.
Trial pits are commonly used to investigate shallow ground conditions to develop an understanding of the profile of soils within the ground. They can be particularly useful where buried structures, variable conditions or contamination is suspected or needs further investigation.
They can be excavated by hand or using a backhoe excavator, generally to a depth of up to 3.5-4.5 m. If a trial pit is deeper than 1.2 m and is intended to be entered by people, it should be made secure against the possibility of structural collapse.
Trial pits (or trenches) can be more cost-effective than boreholes but they cannot reach the same depth. Trial pits can also excavated relatively quickly. However, they can cause significant surface disturbance and it can be difficult to properly fill excavations when the pit is no longer needed.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles and news
Mental Health Awareness Week with ABS
Architects Benevolent Society programme of activity.
CLC publishes domestic retrofit competency framework
Roadmap of Skills for net zero.
May 13-19: Moving more for our mental health.
Understanding is key to conservation.
Open industry engagement survey seeks responses
Institutions and the importance of engagement.
National Retrofit Hub unveils new guide
Digital Building Logbooks and Retrofit: An Introduction.
Top 50 firms awarded 52bn of projects in the last year
New engineering data shows.
Enhancing construction site reporting efficiency
Through digitisation and the digital revolution.
Noise in the built environment
BSRIA guide TG 20/2021.
17,000 people suffer conditions as a result of exposure to excessive noise at work.
Turning down the noise: Auditory health
A pervasive risk with far-reaching consequences.
Getting the most out of heat pumps and heating
How heat pumps work and how they work best.
Plumbing and heating for successful retrofit and renovation
Low temperature underfloor systems and heat pumps.
Cost-of-living crisis and home improvement plans
Starting on the right footing and top tips for projects.
Delays on construction projects
Types, mitigation and the acceleration of works.
From Chaucer to Fawlty Towers.
Electrotechnical excellence, now open for entries.
Net zero electricity grids BSRIA guide NZG 5/2024
Outlining the changes needed to transition to net zero.
CIOB Global Student Challenge 2024
Universitas Indonesia wins for second year running.