G EO TEC HNIC S LIM ITED
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G e o te c h n ic a l a n d G e o e n v iro n m e n ta l S p e c ia lis ts
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C a p a b ility S ta te m e n t
G e o te c h n ic a l C o n s u lta n c y
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Ground supports or surrounds all Civil Engineering and Building work and has to interact with it, yet it isthe material which poses the greatest uncertainty for projects. All building materials have to comply withstrict specifications and quality criteria appropriate to the requirements of the design but all thesecarefully engineered materials have to interact with ground which has resulted from a wide range ofgeological materials and processes over many millions of years, as well as more recent anthropomorphicactivity. At any given site its properties need to be measured to a degree and quality which is compatiblewith the specification for the proposed structure or facility and need to be accommodated by the design.
Uncertainty about the ground model and properties can be addressed by good quality Site Investigationand Instrumentation but such investigations need to be carefully designed and structured by experiencedprofessionals to provide the information needed for each stage of the project design. This process needsto start with a site reconnaissance and study of data on ground conditions and previous site usage whichmay already be available in various archives. Further components of investigation can be phased tomeet the needs of the project and to address ground properties which the emerging data shows to becrucial.
Site Investigation is a process which needs to be designed and steered by those with knowledge ofavailable techniques, their capabilities and limitations, as well as an awareness of issues such as siteaccess constraints and the time required to obtain and process the data. This requires considerableexperience gained from dealing with a wide range of sites and ground conditions.
G e o te c h n ic a l C o n s u lta n c y
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Having obtained the data on ground conditions it is necessary to analyse them in the context of evolvingdevelopment proposals and to evaluate their significance for the project. For foundations this may relateto bearing pressures which the ground can accommodate, the settlements which would result and theneed for ground treatment or specialist techniques such as piling to achieve the required performance.Excavation and slope stability has to be addressed and techniques for support or drainage considered inthe overall scheme. Not only is this needed as part of evolving design but as part of the validationrequired to satisfy Eurocodes.
As part of the investigation process instruments can be installed to allow monitoring of ground movementand ground water profiles prior to construction to inform the design but also to validate the designpredictions. This allows decisions to be made during construction to optimise safety and programme andprovides feedback for future use. This is an intrinsic part of Surcharge Treatment for example.Knowledge of the types of instruments available, their advantages and limitations is essential for suchwork to be effective. The use of instruments can be seen as analogous to the monitoring which we wouldroutinely expect when undergoing surgery in a hospital. The latter process recognises that despite highlevels of knowledge, variations in “patient” behaviour can and do occur so monitoring allows steps to betaken to ensure success. Construction site operations can similarly benefit.
An a ly s is a n d De s ig n
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Where problems have arisen with projects relating to the ground the Company provides Expert Witness services to help toidentify the nature of the problems being experienced, to assist with the design of any necessary remedial works and theprovision of services to the legal profession and its Clients when trying to identify causes and responsibilities.
Ex p e r t W itn e s s
Geotechnics has highly qualified Engineers and Engineering Geologists with many years of experience in the provision ofGeotechnical Consultancy and advisory services and in Geotechnical design. This covers the processes of interface withClients, Structural designers and developers to identify site characteristics and performance requirements, sitereconnaissance in the light of these and studies of data which may already be available for the site. From thesepreliminary evaluations the form and extent of further site investigation can be designed, implemented and controlled.Knowledge of available techniques, characteristics and limitations are used in this process of Site Investigation from whichgeotechnical interpretations and evaluations are used to provide safe and economic solutions to any problems revealed.The service extends to the provision of Ground Investigation Reports (GIR) and Geotechnical Design Reports (GDR)required as part of the requirements of Eurocodes.
Such work leads on to the control of the geotechnical aspects of construction including foundations and earthworks,embodying instrumentation design, monitoring and interpretation together with the production of completion reports as partof the site files for future reference.
Involvement of such services at the earliest stages of a project is often the key to maximising the benefits which can followfrom the understanding of ground behaviour and to providing safe, sustainable and economic solutions to sitedevelopment.
Landslides are a peculiarly geotechnical problem and the Company has considerable experience in dealing with suchproblems including their investigation, design of measures to stabilise them and the control and supervision of such works.Such projects have attracted national awards.
C a p a b ility
Pre-purchase site assessment and reconnaissance, helping Clients to understand and manage risk, and providing vitalinformation to assist in commercial negotiations
Geotechnical and geoenvironmental desk studies and Conceptual Models to comply with current legislation and planningconstraints
The planning and execution of detailed intrusive investigations compliant with Eurocode requirements,
The design of geotechnical and geochemical testing programmes at our own and other specialist UKASaccredited laboratories
Site testing, instrument monitoring, and controls
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O th e r S e r v ic e s
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Provide professional, pragmatic and timely advice backed by professionals with a wealth ofexperience
Work to agreed budgets and timescales
Save you time and money with innovative and Value Engineering ideas
Contribute to your design process directly from the early stages and throughout the project
Liaise with other professionals to provide integrated solutions
G e o te c h n ic s b e lie v e s th a t a r e lia b le k n o w le d g e o f g r o u n d c o n d itio n s is th e k e y to e ffic ie n t a n ds a fe c o n s tr u c tio n b r in g in g th e c o m m e r c ia l a d v a n ta g e s o f e ffic ie n t p r o g r a m m in g , in c r e a s e dc e r ta in ty , a n d e a r ly c o m p le tio n
W h a t c a n w e d o fo r y o u r s c h e m e ?
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AC TIVITIES
The investigation of a major slopefailure and the design and supervisionof temporary and permanent remedialworks, including representation at aplanning inquiry
The design, installation and monitoringof instruments to allow the developmentof a major 30m deep backfilled quarrynear to the centre of Corby and theprovision of a completion reportembodying all the investigation andperformance data. This allowed a totalof 98 hectares for approximately 3000housing units to be built.
Development and implementation of asite testing and instrumentation designtogether with monitoring as part of theremediation and ground treatmentstrategy for a Tesco supermarket sitewith associated infrastructure where 2mof dredged sand fill was placed over softAlluvium on the South coast. The needfor structural piling was eliminated.
VALUE
£100,000
£960,000
£360,000
DATES
1995
2001 – 2011
2010 - 2011
PRO JEC T
Da r le y Ab b e y
C o r b y
S e a to n
C LIENT
NHBC
Carnell
Tesco/ISG Pearce
Ex a m p le s o f r e c e n t p r o je c ts
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AC TIVITIES
The investigation of a major landslipaffecting a viaduct and associatedembankment for the Severn ValleyRailway and the historic Daniels Mill atBridgnorth. Investigation was followedby the design of remedial works andtheir supervision resulting in a HighlyCommended award by GroundEngineering in 2011
The investigation, analysis and designof remedial works for a landslip whichwas threatening a house at the foot of aslope in Bewdley. Work includedsupervision and contract managementfor the construction works. The projectwas declared the winner of the GroundEngineering awards 2012 for projectsup to £1m
The investigation, design andsupervision of a series of remedialworks to landslips occurring in glacialsoils to the north of Whitby whichthreatened both roads and buildings
VALUE
£150,000(£15,000)Consultancy
£160,000(£16,000)Consultancy
£40,000
DATES
2009 - 2010
2010 – 2011
2002-2003
PRO JEC T
Da n ie ls M ill
B e w d le y
Ra ith w a ite
C LIENT
The George Family
Mr and Mrs Edgerton
Raithwaite Estates
Ex a m p le s o f r e c e n t p r o je c ts
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C a s e H is to r ie s
C a s e S tu d y - Daniels Mill
G e o te c h n ic a l Aw a r d
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C a s e S tu d y – S e a to n Re g e n e r a tio n P r o je c t a n d B e w d le y S lip
In s titu tio n o f C iv il En g in e e r s W e s t M id la n d s Re g io n , H ig h ly C o m m e n d e d Aw a r d 2 012
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C a s e Stu d y – C o r b y
G e o te c h n ic s Lim ite d w a s in v o lv e d a t th e G r e a t O a k le y s ite in C o r b y fo r o v e r a
d e c a d e . Th is v a s t a r e a c o v e r e d s o m e 98 h e c ta r e s o f la n d fo r r e s id e n tia l
d e v e lo p m e n t. W o r k in g c lo s e ly w ith d e v e lo p e r C o fto n , G e o te c h n ic s d e v is e d a
p r o g r a m m e o f tr e a tm e n t o f a 2 0m to 30m th ic k n e s s o f b a c k fille d u n c o m p a c te d
ir o n s to n e q u a r r y r e s id u e s . Th e fill h a d b e e n in p la c e fo r s o m e 30 y e a r s a n d w a s to
b e e x c a v a te d in s o m e p la c e s a n d r a is e d in o th e r s . Th e tr e a tm e n t e m b o d ie d th e u s e
o f s u r c h a r g e p r in c ip le s , m a k in g u s e o f th e fill m a te r ia ls o n th e s ite to a p p ly lo a d s
in e x c e s s o f th o s e w h ic h th e h o u s in g w o u ld a p p ly to c a u s e s e ttle m e n t w h ic h
w o u ld n o r m a lly b e e x p e c te d to o c c u r in th e lo n g te r m to ta k e p la c e d u r in g th e
e a r th w o r k s p e r io d . So m e o f th e a r e a in v o lv e d th e c r e a tio n o f a lo w p e r m e a b ility
p la tfo r m b e lo w fin is h e d g r o u n d le v e l b y e x c a v a tin g to s o m e 3.6m a n d c o m p a c tin g
s u ita b le m a te r ia l b a c k in p la c e . A c o m p le x p a tte r n o f p r o g r e s s iv e e x c a v a tio n ,
m a te r ia l s e le c tio n a n d r e -c o m p a c tio n , w h ils t m a in ta in in g s ite d r a in a g e , w a s
d e v is e d . In s o m e p la c e s p r o b le m s a r o s e fr o m th e p r e s e n c e o f la r g e r o c k fr a g m e n ts
a n d b o u ld e r s w h ic h h a d to b e r a k e d o u t, m a n y b e in g c r u s h e d fo r r e -u s e .
Th is m a jo r e a r th w o r k s p r o je c t w a s u n d e r ta k e n b y B la c k w e lls a n d o th e r
c o n tr a c to r s . Ve r y c a r e fu l m o n ito r in g o f th e c o m p a c tio n q u a lity a n d
in s tr u m e n ta tio n to d e te r m in e p a tte r n s o f s e ttle m e n t o f th e r e -c o m p a c te d s o ils w a s
n e c e s s a r y th r o u g h o u t. Th e q u a lity o f th e d a ta is a tr ib u te to th e c o n tr a c to r, w h o
h a d to w o r k w h ils t p r o te c tin g th e in s tr u m e n ts , w h ic h a r e k e y to th e s u c c e s s o f th is
tr e a tm e n t, to C o fto n 's M a r k Elw e ll a n d th e ir s u r v e y o r s , to th e Re s id e n t En g in e e r
S im o n G r iffith s o f Lin k PEC a n d to G e o te c h n ic s ' s ite te a m o f Do u g M a y e r a n d
To m a s z Z u c u n d e r th e le a d e r s h ip o f Le ig h Ja m e s . Ra lp h Ric h a r d s o n w a s
G e o te c h n ic s P r in c ip a l En g in e e r in c h a r g e . Va s t a m o u n ts o f m o n ito r in g d a ta w e r e
o b ta in e d a n d in c o r p o r a te d in to th e c o m p le tio n r e p o r ts fo r th e p r o je c t. Th e
te c h n iq u e o f tr e a tm e n t a llo w e d th e n u m e r o u s d iffe r e n t h o u s e b u ild e r s to c o n s tr u c t
h o u s e s o n th e a r e a to th e ir o w n in d iv id u a l d e s ig n s .
C o v e n tr y O ffic eT. 02 476 694664F . 02 476 694642E. m a il@ g e o te c h n ic s .c o .u k
C o v e r in g p r o je c ts in th e M id la n d s , Ea s t a n d S o u th Ea s t
Ex e te r O ffic eT. 01392 463110F . 01392 463111E. m a il@ e x e te r.g e o te c h n ic s .c o .u k
C o v e r in g p r o je c ts in th e S o u th a n d S o u th W e s t
C h e s te r O ffic eT. 012 44 671117F . 012 44 67112 2E.m a il@ c h e s te r.g e o te c h n ic s .c o .u k
C o v e r in g p r o je c ts in th e No r th , W a le s a n d S c o tla n d
F o r fu r th e r in fo r m a tio n o n a n y o f o u r s e r v ic e s , p le a s e c o n ta c t u s ; w e ’db e h a p p y to h e lp . F o r m o r e d a ta o n th e C o m p a n y in c lu d in g Th ir d P a r tya c c r e d ita tio n a n d Q u a lity s y s te m s s e e a s s o c ia te d file .
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