Soil surveys in West Flanders
High-voltage operator Elia is planning several soil surveys in Bruges, Zuienkerke, Torhout, Izegem, Zedelgem, Oostkamp, Blankenberge from 10 January as part of the Ventilus project. The soil surveys are needed to gather technical knowledge and learn more about the composition of the soil, presence of other utilities in the soil, groundwater level,...
The works will be carried out in phases, which means that nuisance at each location will be very limited and localised for nearby residents.
Specifically, this involves the following work:
- Marking of drilling locations: before the works start, the drilling locations will be checked for utility lines and marked. These works were already carried out in mid-December 2023.
- Soil probing (CPTE): a ground probe involves driving an iron rod deep into the ground. Based on the resistance encountered by the rod, the type of soil can be ascertained. A soil probe takes from a few hours up to a day. If necessary, temporary access will be constructed in advance with steel road plates, which will be removed afterwards.
- Soil drilling: in an soil drilling, a sample is taken from the subsurface and analysed in the lab at a later stage. A soil drilling takes around one day. If necessary, temporary access will be constructed in advance with steel road plates, which will be removed afterwards. On the basis of this survey, the properties of the soil are analysed.
- Test trench: 2 m long, 0.5 m wide, 1.5 m deep
- Monitoring well: a monitoring well will be installed manually to a depth of 3.5 m
