MORE NEW GEOTECHNICAL STANDARDS

The BSI have announced changes to a number of geotechnical engineering related standards in recent months. Though by no means exhaustive the list of changes affecting this sector includes:

  • BS 8002:2015 Code of practice for earth retaining structures.
  • BS 8004:2015 Code of practice for foundations.
  • BS 5930:2015 Code of practice for ground investigations.
  • BS 8081:2015 Code of practice for grouted anchors.
  • BS EN 1536:2010 Amendment 1, Execution of special geotechnical work. Bored piles.
  • BS EN 1538:2010 Amendment 1, Execution of special geotechnical work. Diaphragm walls.
  • BS EN 1992-1-1:2004 Amendment 1, Eurocode 2. Design of concrete structures.
  • BS EN 1993-1-1:2005 Amendment 1, Eurocode 3. Design of steel structures.
  • BS EN ISO 17628:2015 Geotechnical investigation and testing. Geothermal testing.
  • BS EN ISO 25619-2:2015 Geosynthetics. Determination of compression behaviour.

EUROPEAN CONFERENCE PAPER

In September 2015 we had a technical paper published at the XVI European Conference on Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering in Edinburgh. The paper is based on work undertaken in support of URS (now AECOM) in the design of a coastal protection scheme. Titled “The design of an anchored pile retaining structure to control landslide regression at Lyme Regis, UK”, the authors are Corrado Candian (formerly URS, now COWI), our Andy Goodwin, and Dimitri Daskalopoulos (URS).  We are very pleased to have worked with our partners on this paper and look forward to working with them further.

VISION DESIGN ALLIANCE UPDATE

As one of the founder members of the Vision Design Alliance, a group of small to medium sized companies in the East Midlands region that have come together to offer a one-stop shop of civil engineering, building and construction related consultancy services, Surepath Consulting are pleased to re-cap some of the VDA news also available through the VDA web site.

  • Ecotech recently successfully completed a project on a site development in a floodplain in Bottesford, near Grantham.
  • Groundsmiths (UK) Ltd were recently appointed by GK Group Ltd, Chesterfield, to carry out a Phase I/II geo-environmental appraisal and intrusive ground investigation of land located at their workshop site in Chesterfield.
  • Ecotech were appointed to design and specify earthworks to widen an existing highway embankment under a Section 278 agreement for a site in Papplewick, near Nottingham.
  • Groundsmiths (UK) Ltd recently carried out an appraisal of land located within the Pearson Industrial Estate, Old Whittington, Chesterfield.

The collective goal of the VDA is to provide Clients with access to a network of specialists who are used to working together collaboratively to provide an integrated service based on expertise, innovation and enthusiasm. Further news on the launch of the VDA and its web site will follow soon.

ROCK SLOPE APPRAISAL FOR COAL EXTRACTION SITE

Surepath Consulting recently completed a preliminary rock slope appraisal for a proposed coal extraction site in Yorkshire for a mining contractor. The assessment required the appraisal of specific ground risk zones affecting the stability of the high walls, including the influence of past mining activities, the potential impact of third party infrastructure, and the effects on adjacent developments.