Geotechnical

The Geotechnical Group provides authoritative advice in the specialist fields of geotechnical and geo-environmental engineering. Our expertise covers a broad range of skills, that includes advisory, investigative and design expertise for development planning, civil and structural design, as well as due diligence assessment and expert witness counsel.

The Geotechnical Group capability is wide ranging, and a selection of the services we are frequently engaged on, is listed as follows:

Advisory

• Site Appraisals
• Desk Studies
• Report Reviews
• Due diligence studies
• Geotechnical and geo-environmental risk assessments
• Geotechnical and geo-environmental hazard mapping
• Tender advice and reports

Investigative

• Planning, design, procurement and control of ground investigations
• Geotechnical, and geo-environmental interpretative reports
• Specification and scheduling of geotechnical and chemical laboratory tests
• Geo-environmental studies
• Investigation of failures and advice on remedial measures
• Investigation and treatment of mine workings
• Water leakage investigations

Geotechnical Design

• Foundation selection and design
• Ground improvement selection, design and specification
• Analysis, design and specification of earth retaining structures
• Earthworks design, specification, control and supervision
• Geotextile selection, design and specification
• Slope stability studies
• Design, specification and implementation of soil and water instrumentation monitoring systems
• Numerical analysis for geotechnical design
• Temporary works advice and design

Claims

• Contractual claims assessment and advice
• Expert witness

Objectives

The Geotechnical Group works both directly for Clients, and in unison with the Building Engineering, Transportation and Environmental Divisions of Faber Maunsell. We provide skills that help design the built environment for the future. We aim to use our professional expertise to develop innovative solutions for our Clients. Working with both public and private sector organisations our aim is to provide cost effective solutions that address the specific Client requirements and site constraints.

We place a high value on building partnerships with our Clients, listening to their requirements, developing bespoke solutions, advising on risk issues and constraints and thus providing a sound framework for our Clients to make informed decisions. Ground risk management is a key focus of our work.

Land Acquisition and Divestment

When considering the purchase and development, or the sale of a site, the Geotechnical Group considers it vital to assess the risks that could impact on land value. We recognise the importance of identifying development constraints and potential risks at an early stage. This is achieved by collating information undertaking desk studies and utilising our well-established relationships with statutory authorities and utility providers. In this way we can provide a rapid, focused and cost effective means of evaluating a site and thereby provide the Client with a rapid assessment of a site's constraints.

Built Development

Our technical expertise and experience allows us to guide the Client through a project design phases and the planning process. To assist the Client in achieving his objectives we are able to offer advisory and investigative services that supply essential information for the selection, design and construction of a development.

Just as for acquisitions and divestment, pre-development it is essential that probable ground and groundwater conditions, potential geotechnical hazards, and the potential for chemical contamination are identified and evaluated, thus minimising uncertainty and financial risks.

The collation and interpretation of desk study information is an essential pre-requisite to the planning and implementation of a ground investigation. A ground investigation is not merely a matter of 'putting down a few boreholes', but establishing the specifics of particular geotechnical hazards. A successful ground investigation addresses the potential hazards of a site and correctly identifies salient features that may not have been previously known. Our approach to an investigation is to plan the work based on the findings from the desk study, taking into account the likely foundation and earthworks requirements of a development.

Careful design, procurement and supervision of a ground investigation is undertaken in order to generate high quality output that covers the particular investigation objectives and provides the necessary information for subsequent geotechnical design. The ground investigation output data is processed and interpreted to provide a site model, geotechnical zones and engineering parameters as necessary for subsequent design. The interpretative report is a key document that presents the investigation results that are necessary for the geotechnical design of the development.

Subsequent to the interpretative reporting stage geotechnical design work is undertaken using the ground model, geotechnical parameters and zoning information gained from the investigation and report. The geotechnical design may involve for example foundation, retaining wall or earthworks design, and the calculations and analysis required for this aspect will draw strongly on the interpretative report findings.

As the development design nears completion construction specifications and drawings are compiled and, dependent on the nature of the project, this may include a strong geotechnical component. Inspections and supervision of the construction foundation and groundworks may also be undertaken to monitor the Contractor's progress and check that site works adhere to specified requirements.

For more information on our experience and capabilities please contact Peter Boyd.