Geotechnical investigations in Lithuania and Latvia

The price of engineering geological investigations is calculated individually for each project. The scope, complexity and price depend on the structures you plan to build, the location of the site and the complexity of the ground conditions. Prices start from €500 + VAT.

Not every project requires laboratory soil testing and an assessment conclusion from the Lithuanian Geological Survey. That is why the price of each order is set individually.

For a simple residential house it is often enough to investigate two locations on the site (two boreholes). If the ground conditions are simple, the price is from €500 to €600 + VAT.

The price may be higher if work on the site or access to it is more difficult than usual. It may also be higher due to ground conditions – if the site is close to slopes or in a peatland area, the price can be significantly higher.

The price includes probing tests, borehole drilling and the report. Where required by the construction regulation (STR), it also includes laboratory testing of soil and groundwater and the assessment conclusion of the Lithuanian Geological Survey.

For objective reasons, additional unforeseen work may be needed during the investigation, for example extra boreholes or auxiliary equipment for transporting machinery (due to difficult access). Unforeseen work costs extra. If we find that additional work may be needed, we will always inform you and continue only once we have agreed on the need for the work and the additional price.

If you need a geotechnical investigation report, the investigation (drilling, cone penetration testing) must be carried out in at least two locations on the site.

UAB Tyrimų laboratorija works efficiently and there are currently no long queues for fieldwork – it is often possible to start within a few days of receiving the order.

We have two teams with their own equipment. This gives us flexibility and helps us meet agreed deadlines.

For the investigation to be carried out:

• access routes must be prepared so that the equipment can be brought to the test locations;
• there must be no obstacles at the test locations, such as vegetation, objects or structures that could hinder the movement of the equipment;
• if the site has a concrete surface, it must be removed at the borehole locations.

If there are obstacles to bringing in or operating the equipment that the client cannot remove, the company carrying out the investigation must be informed in advance.

If informed in advance, UAB Tyrimų laboratorija can use a crane to move the equipment, use compact hand-operated equipment or apply other individual solutions.

Yes, but please let us know about such a surface in advance (before our team travels to your site).

A concrete surface must be removed at the test locations before the investigation. By prior agreement and for an additional fee, we can remove the concrete ourselves.

Yes, the investigation may show that the ground conditions are complex even though they were expected to be simple. In that case we recommend deeper or more boreholes than planned, but we always agree the scope and need for additional work with the client.

If it is difficult to bring standard drilling equipment onto the site, we can:

• use a crane to move the equipment;
• use compact hand-operated equipment;
• dig trial pits instead of drilling.

If standard drilling equipment cannot be used on the site, we use compact hand-operated equipment or dig trial pits instead of drilling.

The site does not have to be ready for construction, but obstacles that could prevent the equipment from reaching and moving around the test locations (e.g. trees, bushes, large objects, structures) must be removed, as well as any concrete surface at the test locations.

Yes, we work all year round, including winter, as long as the weather is not extreme and the equipment can be brought to the site.

Yes. If engineering geological and geotechnical investigations are carried out before foundation design, the designer will know the soil types and their properties exactly and can choose the right foundation type and bearing layer depth from the start.

A timely investigation can reduce the cost of foundations. If it is done before foundation design, the designer knows the soil types and properties and can choose the most suitable foundation type and bearing layer, avoiding unnecessary costs.

On the other hand, even if the investigation shows that the foundations will cost more than expected, you will avoid huge financial losses in the future that could result from poorly designed foundations when the building starts to settle.

Investigating the wrong locations can have disastrous consequences: part of the designed building or a section of road may later settle.

In the Kretinga district, near the Tenžė valley, a planned cycle path settled heavily before construction was even finished – the design investigations on that section were done poorly to save money: test points were placed too far apart and in the wrong locations.

Yes. After the investigation we provide the soil property parameters needed for structural calculations. Preliminary data, which allow you to start the calculations, are provided within a few days after fieldwork.

Yes. If groundwater is encountered during the investigation, its level is always determined.

We determine soil density, particle size distribution, liquid and plastic limits, water content, hydraulic conductivity, and organic matter and ash content.

To ensure accuracy, the measuring instruments used by UAB Tyrimų laboratorija are calibrated regularly.

Previous investigations can be seen on the subsurface investigation map of the Lithuanian Geological Survey, provided they were carried out correctly and registered with the Survey.

Investigations that were not registered with the Lithuanian Geological Survey are not valid and cannot be relied upon.

UAB Tyrimų laboratorija carries out geotechnical investigations in accordance with:

• STR 01.04.02:2011 "Engineering geological and geotechnical investigations";
• LST EN 1997-1:2004 "Eurocode 7. Geotechnical design. Part 1: General rules";
• LST EN 1997-2:2007 "Eurocode 7. Geotechnical design. Part 2: Ground investigation and testing";
• LST EN ISO 14688-1:2018 "Geotechnical investigation and testing. Identification and classification of soil. Part 1: Identification and description";
• LST EN ISO 14688-2:2018 "Geotechnical investigation and testing. Identification and classification of soil. Part 2: Principles for a classification".

Our teams work throughout Lithuania. We can quickly reach sites on the coast and in Western Lithuania (Klaipėda, Palanga, Kretinga, Gargždai, Plungė), and we regularly work in Vilnius, Kaunas and other cities and districts. We can also carry out geotechnical investigations in Latvia.