Category Archives: Earthworks

HOWARD MEDAL WINNER

We are very pleased and honoured to announce that a paper jointly published in 2016 by our Dr Andy Goodwin with Simon Ellis (Mott Macdonald), Liz Laycock (Sheffield Hallam University) and Chris Hurst (Mott MacDonald) has just been awarded the Howard Medal by ICE Publishing.  The paper, entitled “Use of crushed brick in reinforced earth railway structures”, was published in ICE’s Construction Materials Journal.  Targeted at improving the sustainability of the development, the work reported is based on a short practically-focused research project undertaken in association with Sheffield Hallam University with a clear focus on assessing the suitability of crushed bricks to be sourced from a viaduct for re-use as engineered fill.  It shows the benefits that can be gained from integrating focused research into a large project.  

More details of the project can be seen in the paper, which can be downloaded for free from http://www.icevirtuallibrary.com/doi/10.1680/coma.15.00014.  All of the authors are looking forward to attending the Awards Ceremony in October 2017 and to receiving their medals! 

SLOPE STABILITY ASSESSMENT FOR HOUSING DEVELOPMENT

We have recently been appointed on a sub-consultancy basis to support a housing developer resolve a slope stability issue on a confidential site in Nottinghamshire.  The problem revolves around limited space, the assessment of fill properties, and the integration of soakaways into the earthworks to produce a cost-effective overall design that works within the constraints of the development.

Though a small commission, the project is a good illustration of the benefits of taking a multi-disciplinary approach to solving a problem.  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.

 

NEW LOGO UNITES TRAINING AND CONSULTANCY!

We have just developed a new logo which incorporates both our training and consultancy arms in a consolidated form.  We hope you like it!

Rest assured that the websites for each part of the business will continue as they are so you can still follow whichever part you are interested in, or both.

Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you want further information on either.

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:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/12/02/blow-basement-builders-judge-rules-specific-planning-permission/

https://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/news/court-decision-means-tougher-rules-for-basement-extensions/10015552.article

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.