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.
Category Archives: Geotechnics
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.
GI DESIGN TO EC7
To complement our NHBC 2017 roadshow and the interest shown there, Surepath Training are running again their intensive half day course that aims to address the likely impact of EC7 on ground investigation design.
EC7 has been here for a decade now and its use in industry is becoming more widespread all the time. The 2015 update of the Code of Practice for Ground Investigations, BS5930, says GI’s ‘should’ follow the guidance in EC7 on GI quantum. This coupled with the adoption of EC7 in Building Regulations and NHBC standards means that GI design is potentially set for some significant changes.
The course will be taught against a background introduction to design practice to EC7, and the requirements for ground characterisation and parametric assessment in particular. The majority of the course will focus on EC7 design requirements for GI’s, including a design exercise to examine the scale of changes that could be required. The course will introduce also changes to logging and reporting requirements to suit EC7.
This course is running in Chesterfield on 4 May 2017. Please call or email us to reserve your place on this course, or to discuss running it bespoke for your company or team. Discounts are available for group bookings or delegates attending more than one course.