The site investigation program for the Oslo Airport, Gardermoen, Norway: I. Site investigation strategy

A new main airport is presently being built at Gardermoen, a small community about 50 km north of Oslo. The airport will upon completion in 1998 cover an area of about 13 km(2), and is built on a complex system of several glacifluvial deltas, forming an almost horizontal plateau. Due to the relatively complex geological history, the soil conditions in the area show large variations, containing soil types ranging from soft sensitive clays to very dense, morainic materials. This variation in soil conditions, and the geotechnical and hydrogeological problems associated with development of the area, required a thorough knowledge of the soil conditions. A variety of tests, involving more than 700 locations, were carried out. The field test program included various types of soundings, piezocone tests (CPTU), field vane tests, screw plate tests, undisturbed piston sampling, isotopic soundings, hydrogeological soundings and various geophysical investigations. A comprehensive laboratory test program was also carried out. This paper presents some aspects and results from the planning and performance of the site investigation program and focus on a presentation of the investigation strategy and evaluation of the investigation methods used.