Central Piling has formed the division because it believes site investigation is an integral part of the development process, and that a well-designed investigation can save project costs and make designers aware of potential geotechnical and environmental issues. By having the option of a single contractor carrying out site investigation and foundation works there is the potential to reduce the construction programme and also "de-risk" the project.

Central Piling's new site investigation division covers services such as ground investigation and boreholes. The former uses Dando cable percussion rigs for a cost-effective drilling technique that provides in-situ tests, along with the ability to install groundwater and ground gas monitoring wells.

The launch of the new division is also in response to the increased demand for basements as a means of adding extra space to a variety of properties but particularly private domestic properties.

A basement impact assessment (BIA), using state-of-the-art 3D numerical analysis software for finite element analysis, will provide a soil/structure interaction analysis prior to construction. Central Piling has a long history of using this methodology to win agreements with water and rail authorities where structures are to be constructed adjacent to their assets.

The new service from Central Piling also includes noise and vibration monitoring, extensometers, inclinometers and deformation monitoring methods, which clients can use as part of an observational technique design approach to basement construction, potentially reducing propping requirements and construction programme durations.

Other services are pile testing elements including tests for pile integrity tests, static loads, and concrete cubes and slumps.