Category Archives: Structural design

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.

 

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.

GEOTECHNICAL DESIGN FOR PEAK RESORT

We are pleased to announce that we have now completed the current geotechnical design aspects of the S278 highway works for Peak Resort in Derbyshire.  Working with Inspire Design & Development, and Groundsmiths, we have prepared the earthworks design for the new access road and A61 slip road diversion to EC7.  We have also looked at the existing slopes adjacent to the River Drone for good measure, whilst Groundsmiths have looked at the mining risk aspects.

 

NEW HIGHWAY AND EARTHWORKS COMMISSION

We are pleased to announce that we are about to commence work on a new major leisure and commercial development in Derbyshire.  Access to the currently confidential site will require highway diversion works and construction of an access road across sidelong ground.  Works are to be undertaken in accordance with EC7, and the scope of work to be undertaken by Surepath Consulting will include inputs to the ground investigation design, slope stability appraisals and earthworks assessments, as well as provision of geotechnical support to the highway and bridge specialists.  We aim to be able to release further details of the project in due course.

 

NEWS ON NEW STANDARDS

British Standards are always being reviewed and updated by the BSI.  Keeping up to date with the developments is important for us all, so to assist our Clients we are pleased to advise that some of the British Standards commonly used by geotechnical engineers that are new or have been updated by the BSI are listed below:

  • BS EN ISO 9863-1:2016  Geosynthetics.  Determination of thickness at specified pressures. Single layers.
  • BS EN 22476-15:2016  Geotechnical investigation and testing.  Field testing.  Measuring while drilling.

This listing is not comprehensive and readers are referred to the BSI both for further details of changes to standards and for purchase information.