Following the publication of our joint paper on the stabilisation of a slope at Lyme Regis in 2015 (at the XVI European Conference on Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering in Edinburgh), readers may be interested to know that a further paper has just been published in Volume 170 of the Proceedings of the ICE, Civil Engineering. Entitled “Stabilising Lyme Regis – a strategic approach” and authored by Roger Moore et al, the paper presents a useful perspective on the range of design and management options available to address coastal instability. It is well worth a read in our view, though we can’t reproduce it here due to copyright. Check it out on pages 63 to 70 of Issue CE2, dated May 2017. A copy can be viewed here if you are an ICE subscriber.
Author Archives: Andy Goodwin
UNDERSTANDING A COAL MINING INVESTIGATION
In case you missed it, Tim King of The Coal Authority posted on LinkedIn a really useful article on understanding a coal mining investigation. It includes information on workings, collapsing ground and effects on rock structure, and shows how important it is to interpret your GI data with care. It is useful reading for anyone working in coal mining areas. For more information, follow this link.
BASEMENT PLANNING RULES CHANGE
With increasing numbers of basements being constructed, readers may find a recent legal ruling of interest. In it, a High Court judge has ruled that basement extensions must have planning permission if they require excavation and engineering works. They may no longer be carried out under permitted development rights.
For more information, see the following links:
The full effect of the ruling is yet to be seen, but it seems that it would be prudent for architects and engineers to advise their clients to seek planning permission early in the process. It is likely that permission will be needed for most projects, especially if engineering works are required as well as excavations. This may increase the need for ground assessments and geotechnical designs to be undertaken, for example for retaining walls and foundations.
COAL EXTRACTION EARTHWORKS REVIEW
Based on our extensive experience in earthworks, we have recently completed a review of a draft earthworks specification for a confidential client. It involved looking at the planned site usage and the extent of the planned works to ensure the draft specification delivered an appropriate level of compaction without being too onerous or costly.
If you need any support on your earthworks projects then feel free to call our Dr Andy Goodwin to discuss how we could assist and add value.
COURSES IN APRIL AND MAY 2017
Surepath Training, our sister company, have several courses coming up in April and May that may be of interest. They include:
- CDM 2015 – Two Years On on 25 April
- Slope Stability – Principles and Practice on 27 April
- GI design to EC7 on 4 May
- Ground risk management for managers on 9 May
- Essentials of Project Management on 16 May
- Retaining Wall Design – Principles and Practice on 18 May
- The ICE Professional Review – Preparing for the Written Exercise on 25 May
Each course is running in Chesterfield. Discounts are available for group bookings or delegates attending more than one course. Please call or email us to reserve your place on a course.