Including biodiversity, nature-based solutions and climate adaptation
NEW PERFORMANCE STANDARD FROM NHBC
New Performance Standard for Building on Engineered Fill
AGS CONFERENCE 2024: THE REVIEW
A look back at the AGS' recent Conference at One Great George Street, London
May 2024
Image credit: Ramboll
NEC: OPTION X29
A positive step to tackling climate change, but not without its risks.
Welcome to the May issue of the AGS Magazine.
Thank you to those of you who contributed to and attended the AGS Annual Conference at One Great George Street. An overview of the conference is featured in this months magazine together with the winner of the Early Career Professionals sustainability poster competition. The quality of the entries was very high and it was great to see so many entries. Hopefully the posters have provided some inspiration for our members. This year was also the first year we have held a drinks reception after the event which provided further networking opportunities.
In this edition of the magazine an article is presented on ‘Do geotechnical engineers truly understand sustainability?’ The article aims to inspire us to think more broadly about sustainability and presents six practical steps that can be followed.
An article prepared by Beale and Co continues the sustainability theme with an article on NEC Option X29 (Climate Change). Also in this edition, the NHBC present their
new performance standard for building on Engineered Fill.
Upcoming events are also featured in the magazine. Following the success of the first Early Careers Webinar, we have a second webinar –Drilling Techniques and In Situ Testing on 5th June 2024. Later in the year the Geotechnical Working Group are holding a CPT webinar and in November we have an in-person event in Manchester which will have a groundwater theme. I hope to see some of you there.
We are always on the lookout for additional, informative content for the magazine, so if you have a case study or technical article that you think the wider geotechnical and geoenvironmental public would find beneficial, please do get in touch.
We would be interested in your feedback on the magazine and our future plans. Please contact ags@ags.org.uk if you have any comments.
The Association of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Specialists (AGS) is a not-for-profit trade association established to improve the profile and quality of geotechnical and geoenvironmental engineering. The membership comprises UK organisations and individuals having a common interest in the business of ground investigation, geotechnics, geoenvironmental engineering, engineering geology, geochemistry, hydrogeology, and other related disciplines.
Vivien Dent, AGS Chair
Sally Hudson, Coffey Geotechnics
Caroline Kratz, Forum Court Associates (FCA)
Katie Kennedy, FCA
Julian Lovell, Equipe Group
Calum Spires, Equipe Group
David Entwisle, BGS
Chris Vincett, Retired
Lauren Hunt, Arcadis
Adam Latimer, Ian Farmer Associates
Dimitris Xirouchakis, Structural Soils
Emma Anderson, HaskoningDHV UK
Daniele Fornelli, Geotechnical Observations
EDITORIAL STORY
If you have a news story or event which you’d like to tell our editorial team about, please contact the AGS on 020 8658 8212 or ags@ags.org.uk. Please note that articles should act as opinion pieces and not directly advertise a company. The AGS is under no obligation to feature articles or events received.
CONTACT US
AGS
Forum Court, Office 2FF, Saphir House, 5 Jubilee Way, Faversham, Kent, ME13 8GD
ags@ags.org.uk
020 8658 8212
Vivien Dent AGS Chair Association of Geotechnical & Geoenvironmental Specialists
@agsgeotech www.ags.org.uk
FEATURE
PAGE 24
COVER STORY
PAGE 30
Do we need to reframe sustainability to include biodiversity, nature-based solutions and climate adaptation?
NHBC introduces a new Standards Chapter, 4.6, to deal with the increasing number of sites using engineered fills for low-rise residential structures, external works, and infrastructure.
GEOTECHNICA 2024: FIRST SPEAKERS CONFIRMED
PAGE 8
Details on the first speakers accounced for July's event.
AGS CONFERENCE 2024: THE REVIEW
PAGE 16
Reviewing last month's AGS Conference, held at One Great George Street, London.
NEC OPTION X29
PAGE 20
A positive step to tackling climate change, but not without its risks.
MORE INSIDE
PAGE 4
News in Short: Incl. upcoming AGS Events
PAGE 14
AGS Webinar: Data Management Plans
PAGE 36
Standards Update April 2024
AGS Early Careers Webinars - Drilling Techniques and In Situ Testing
Î Date: 5th June 2024
Î Fee: FOC for AGS members and students, £50 (plus VAT) for non-members.
Î Speakers:
Chaired by Harry McAllister, Senior Geotechnical Consultant at TRC Companies
∙ Simon Harlow, Senior Ground Investigation Engineer at Arcadis Julian Puzyna, Director at Sackedgate
∙ Martyn Brocklesby, Director at Geotechnical Engineering and Director of the British Drilling Association
∙ Eleanor Cook, Senior Contaminated Land Consultant at Arup
Further details will be announced in due course.
Î Date: 25th September 2024
Further details will be announced in due course.
Ground Water Conference (live event)
Î Date: 6th November 2024
Î Location: Etc. Venues Manchester
Î Fee: £150 (plus VAT) for AGS members, £210 (plus VAT) for non-members. A limited number of student, local authority and Environment Agency places are available for £95 (plus VAT).
Î Speakers:
∙ Dr Andrew Bond, Director at Geocentrix Ltd.
∙ Will Capps, Technical Manager at Lucion Delta-Simons
∙ Len Threadgold, Geotechnical Adviser at Geotechnics
Dr Stephen Thomas, Founder, Director and Chair of OGI Groundwater Specialists
∙ Steve Wilson, Technical Director at EPG
Further details will be announced in due course.
a b o v e r a n g e o f D r i l l i n g R i g .
For this year’s AGS Awards, a select number of AGS Working Group Members were nominated by their Working Group Leaders to highlight their contribution and dedication to the AGS over the past year.
We’d like to say a big thank you, and a welldeserved congratulations, to the following Award and Commendation Winners.
Contaminated Land Working Group
• Andrew Tranter (Award Winner)
• Darren Makin (Award Winner)
Data Management Working Group
• Neil Chadwick (Award Winner)
Executive
• Alex Dent (Award Winner)
• Alison Nicholson (Commendation)
Geotechnical Working Group
• Katharine Barker (Award Winner)
• Emma Cronin (Award Winner)
• Paul Roberts (Commendation)
Laboratories Working Group
• Will Fardon (Award Winner)
Loss Prevention Working Group
• David Hutchinson (Award Winner)
• Neil Parry (Award Winner)
Safety Working Group
• Liz Withington (Award Winner)
• Madeleine Bardsley (Award Winner)
• Owen Seymour (Commendation)
Sustainability Working Group
Vivien Dent (Award Winner)
Sam Setchell (Award Winner)
To view the winners acceptance speeches, view the video HERE.
The top three downloaded AGS publications in last month:
1. Safety Guidance - Classification of Potentially Contaminated Sites for Intrusive Investigation Activities
2. AGS Guide: The Selection of Geotechnical Soil Laboratory Testing
3. AGS Guidance on Waste Classification for Soils - A Practitioners Guide
Recent AGS publications available on the AGS website:
• Safety Share – Young Site Engineer killed by Excavator
• Safety Guidance – Classification of Potentially Contaminated Sites for Intrusive Investigation Activities
• EC7 Next Gen: Bitesize Guide – Georisk is intrinsic to reliability of structures – what aspects must we consider when determining the risk categorisation of a structure?
To download the publications for free; click here
The SiLC Annual Forum took place virtually on Wednesday 20th March 2024.
This half day event (9:30am – 13:30), Chaired by Tom Henman (SiLC PTP Chair), bought together industry professionals for a stellar programme of presentations and discussions centred around the topics of Current Developments in the Land Condition Sector and Looking to the Future.
Presentations on the day included:
Î The Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023 for Land Condition Professionals by Emma Tattersdill (Partner (Environmental Law), Bexley Beaumont)
Î A Regulator’s Guide to Cover Systems and their Verification by Rae Watney (Senior Land Quality Officer at Sheffield City Council)
Î Future Policy and Regulation of Excavated Materials – Findings of a Recent SiLC/ CIRIA Soil CoP Stakeholder Workshop by Louise Beale (Integration Project Manager at SLR Consulting, Deputy Chair SiLC PTP)
Î Changing Weather, Changing our Approach to Land Remediation? by Claire Dickinson (Director at, Geo-environmental Matters)
Î The Future of Land Condition and Sustainable Development by Freddie Kennedy (Associate Director at AtkinsRéalis )
Î Antimicrobial Resistance in the Environment: A Systems Thinking Approach by Lucy Bethell (Senior Associate (Contaminated Land Specialist), Mott MacDonald)
Î Digital Data and AI: The role(s) of Artificial Intelligence Including Machine Learning in Land Contamination Risk Management by Paul Nathanail (Director, Land Quality Management Ltd)
In addition to the main programme of presentations, those who attended were able to enjoy insights from Early Careers Professionals on ‘Key future challenges facing the brownfield sector and what leaders of today should be concentrating on to address these challenges’ Chaired by Carrie Rose (Technical Director –Contamination Assessment and Remediation at GHD), as well as a video on Soil Biodiversity, Minimising Remediation and Improving Quality of Soil by Bruce Lascelles (UK Director –Sustainable Land Management at Arcadis).
A panel discussion on the topic ‘What regulators expect to see on the incorporation of climate change into land condition assessments’, Chaired by Mark Hill (Climate & Sustainability – Lead at The Pensions Regulator) also provided an interesting conversation amongst panellists Robert Tyler (Senior Contaminated Land Officer, Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea), Katy Baker (Senior Technical Director, Arcadis), Mark Field (Bid Director, VertaseFLI), Heidi Bignell (Technical Advisor, Land and Contamination Management, Environment Agency) and James Bryan – (Climate Change Advisor, Environment Agency).
If you have any queries about this event or if you would like to access the event recording, please contact us via email on SiLC@SiLC.org. uk.
SPONSORED BY
With just two months to go until the UK's premier geotechnical conference and exhibition returns to the Warwickshire Event Centre, the first speakers for Geotechnica 2024’s conference have now been confirmed.
Taking place on 3rd & 4th July 2024, Geotechnica 2024 will incorporate a not-to-bemissed technical conference which will cover two exciting topics.
Day One will be providing essential information to help improve UK ground investigations, including talks on best practice, how to design and carry out effective ground investigations which ensure quality data and meet objectives.
Day Two will focus on celebrating Equality Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) within ground investigation, with talks on inclusive personal protective equipment (PPE) and site practices, neurodiversity and challenging damaging stereotypes.
Sharing their GI knowledge and experiences on Day One at this year’s event are: Chris Danilewicz (Managing Director at Hillcrest Geotechnical and Past Chair of B526), Peter Reading (Independent Consultant), Dr Jonathan Thomas (Director and Principal Geophysicist, TerraDat) and Geraint Williams (Technical Director, ALS Global).
Day Two’s speakers include Katherine Evans (Women’s Safety & Equity Consultant, Bold as Brass Gender Equity Services), Ebenezer Adenmosun (Director, Geofirma and CoFounder of GFUMP) and Luisa Hendry (aka The Scottish Geologist, Senior Engineering Geologist, Story Contracting).
The event is free to attend and all stakeholders and Early Career Geopractitioners will benefit hugely from attending. Further speakers and details will be announced in due course.
There are still exhibition and sponsorship opportunities available, however places are running out. If you are interested in exhibiting or sponsoring the event, please contact info@ geotechnica.co.uk.
ACS provides comprehensive UKAS Accredited, sampling, in-situ testing and laboratory testing services across a broad range of sample types to suit our client’s requirements.
Our experienced staff will ensure your testing requirements are clearly understood, efficiently carried out and accurately reported. ACS also offer bespoke consultancy services to deliver professional services including site investigations, waste classification assessments, interpretive reporting and routine site monitoring.
Services include
Contamination and Chemical Analysis
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Drilling and Coring Services
Consultancy
Address : Unit 14 Blackhill Road West, Holton Heath Trading Park, Poole, BH16 6LE
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Maximising Natural Capital Benefits for Brownfield and Sustainable Development is a webinar being held by SiLC on Thursday 20th June from 11am – 1pm.
Can development only be a threat to soil quality and natural habitats? How do we reconcile the competing needs of nature versus man? Too long we have underestimated the value and importance that the natural environment contributes to our well-being.
By taking a ‘natural capital’ approach to decision making, development can maximise eco goods and services whereby we can get more from
our land. From the simple concept of delivering the ‘right land use in the right place’ to the more complex considerations of achieving and maintaining biodiversity or environmental net gain post-development.
Chaired by Mark Hill (Climate & Sustainability – Lead at The Pensions Regulator), this CPD webinar will explore how government seeks to support the reframing of nature in terms of the value to people and the economy to create sustainable development. Attendees will hear, through case study examples, about how organisations are already implementing this approach and the resulting benefits achieved.
Speakers include Tim Graham (Director at RSK Wilding and Nature Positive) presenting on BNG and ENG for Brownfield Sites, David Stewart (Policy and Practice Lead at Scottish Land Commission) presenting on Vacant and Derelict Land (VDL) Re-use and Natural Capital, and Yolande Macklin (Senior Associate Director, Land Quality, Jacobs) and Dr Darren Beriro (Principal Geoscientist, British Geological Survey) co-presenting on Remediation and Sustainable Growth Tool and the Development of Natural Capital Metrics for Land Remediation.
Tickets cost £30 per attendee (including VAT). To register for the webinar, please click HERE.
We’re pleased to announce that the AGS are holding a full day, live CPD conference on the topic of groundwater on Wednesday 6th November at ETC Venues in Manchester.
The need to consider the impact and effect of groundwater during all stages of the design and construction process is of paramount importance for almost all construction and building projects. However, the impact of groundwater is often poorly understood by many sectors of the construction industry,
even those tasked with the design and construction of earth structures, basements, foundations, roads or pavements. The impact of groundwater can manifest in obvious ways as water inflow into excavations, leakage through retaining walls, uplift buoyancy pressures, but in less obvious ways such as consolidation settlements or loss of strength of the ground, or as the medium for transportation of contaminants or adverse chemical elements.
We Need to Talk About Groundwater is a CPD conference aimed at attendees involved in construction projects from
concept and planning through detailed design to construction and is not solely for geotechnical engineering specialists. The conference is proposed to raise awareness of how groundwater can impact construction. This will include presentations about how groundwater and geohydraulic parameters can be reliable determined during investigations and infiltration testing, how groundwater is covered by the new second-generation Eurocodes BS EN 1990:2023 and FprEN 19971:2024, measures for control of groundwater, how water pressures can impact cutting slopes or excavations, and a number of other topics.
Speakers for the event include Andrew Bond, who is recognised as one of the leading experts dealing with Eurocodes for geotechnical design, Len Threadgold is a leading practitioner dealing with ground and groundwater investigations, and Stephen Thomas a recognised expert in groundwater control. Further speakers will be announced in due course.
Tickets are priced at £150 for AGS Members and £210 for non-AGS Members. Prices exclude VAT. A limited number of student, local authority and Environmental Agency places are available for £95, ex VAT. To register please click HERE.
We have a range of sponsorship opportunities available for both Members and non-Members of the Association who wish to have a presence during the event:
(AGS Member Rate: £1300 / Non-Member Rate: £1820)
• Catering sponsor with logo on menu
• Two – three page company Q&A article in AGS magazine (over 5,700 subscribers)**
Full page advert in AGS Magazine (worth £400)**
Entry for three delegates into the event
A designated area to exhibit company initiatives, research and software. This exhibition space can also showcase marketing materials, literature and banners
*one package available **terms and conditions apply
(AGS Member Rate: £1050 / Non-Member Rate: £1470)
• Entry for three delegates into the event
• A designated area to exhibit company initiatives, research and software. This exhibition space can also showcase marketing materials, literature and banners
• Full page advert in AGS Magazine (worth £400, over 5,700 subscribers)**
*limited packagesavailable **terms and conditions apply
(AGS Member Rate: £850 / Non-Member Rate: £1190)
• Entry for two delegates into the event
• A designated area to exhibit company initiatives, research and software. This exhibition space can also showcase marketing materials, literature and banners
1/4 page advert in AGS magazine (worth £160, over 5,700 subscribers)**
**terms and conditions apply
If you’d like to confirm your support, please contact Caroline Kratz on ags@ags.org.uk before Friday 4th October. Please note that packages are limited and are offered on a first come, first served basis. For full benefits on each sponsorship package click HERE.
SPONSORED BY
On 12th March 2024, the AGS held a webinar entitled ‘BS8574 – A Guide to Data Management Plans’.
The webinar was chaired by Jackie Bland (Principal Ground Investigation Data Manager at Structural Soils and AGS Data Management Working Group Leader), and included presentations from Neil Chadwick (Director, Digital Geotechnical), Tony Daly (Managing Director at Amageo Limited), Simon Miles (Chief Geotechnical Engineer, AtkinsRéalis) and Craig Brown (Senior Data Manager – BAM Ritchies).
Neil Chadwick began the webinar by providing an overview of BS8574, highlighting the requirements for a data management system to provide context for the discussion of data
management plans. This was followed by a presentation from Tony Daly who provided a client’s perspective. Simon Miles then gave a presentation on BS8574 from the consultant’s viewpoint. Craig Brown provided the final presentations on the perspective of data management plans from a ground investigation contractor and guidance for preparing data management plans. The AGS Data Management Working Group have produced some guidance for the preparation of data management plans for ground engineering projects, which can be viewed on the AGS website here. The guidance is split into two parts, the first part provides considerations that should be made when writing a data management plan and the second part gives a practical example demonstrating how to meet the requirements with additional notes on considerations for each topic. The webinar ended with a group Q&A.
The event received excellent feedback, with attendees rating it 4.6 out of 5 stars and stating that they would be 4.5 out of 5 stars likely to recommend the webinar to a friend or colleague. Over 96% stated that they had learnt something new from the presentations that could be applied to their work.
A big thank you to all who attended, and to SoilCloud for sponsoring the webinar.
Want to access the recording but didn't register to attend? AGS Members can access this for free via the webinar archive after logging in to the AGS website. Non-members may also request access via the AGS website for a charge of £30+VAT.
The AGS Annual Conference took place at One Great George Street, London on 25th April with over 235 delegates in attendance.
Chaired by AGS Chair, Vivien Dent, the conference had eight guest speakers covering a range of geotechnical and geoenvironmental topics with a focus on sustainability. The AGS
Working Group Leaders also provided updates about their Working Groups from the past 12 months.
To continue the theme of sustainability, the conference showcased all 21 entries from the AGS’ Early Careers Professional Sustainability Poster Competition, and invited winner, Molly Kirven, (Balfour Beatty) to attend the event (poster displayed on the right). The AGS have also agreed to donate a percentage of profits generated from the conference to Projects for Nature, which is an initiative formed by the
Council for Sustainable Business, Accenture, Defra, Natural England, Environment Agency and Crowdfunder. Projects for Nature aims to restore nature recovery in the UK and the AGS is delighted to supprt them.
Jim Webster (Director at Earthworks and Materials Solutions) opened the conference by discussing what sustainability means in terms of earthworks. This was followed by Tim Rolfe (Director at YES Environmental) who presented on The Role of Quantitative Risk Assessment in Reducing Soil Disposal and Importation at Contaminated Sites. Roseanna Bloxham (Principal Geo-Environmental Engineer at RSK Environment) explored the recent NHBC Foundation research and guidance for the housing sector, focusing on the NF93 report, which looks at the climate change risks impacting building foundations in new housing.
Following lunch and networking opportunities, Mark Hill (Climate and Sustainability Lead at The Pensions Regulator) presented on how the Taskforce for Climate-related Financial Disclosures and Sustainable Disclosures Requirement could impact brownfield and infrastructure sectors from a pensions perspective. Ebenezer Adenmosun (Managing Director at Geofirma and Co-Founder of the Ground Forum Undergraduate Mentoring
Programme) then provided an update on GFUMP and the impact the scheme has made on the industry.
This was followed by a presentation by Marla Gillow (Senior Geotechnical Engineer at Ramboll) and Kalisha Sejpar (Associate at Ramboll) on Case Study: Measuring Carbon from Design to Construction at 2 Finsbury Avenue. Finally, Alan Thomas (Technical Partner at ERM) presented on Insights from the Sustainable Remediation of an Agrochemical Manufacturing Facility.
The Annual Conference concluded with a networking drinks reception in the Great Hall, which was a first for the AGS Annual Conference.
It was a great event and an excellent opportunity for the industry to gather, network and exchange ideas.
The AGS would like to thank our speakers and sponsors including Geosense, Igne, Soil Engineering, Groundsure, Equipe, Brimstone, ACS Testing, Maccaferri, Eijkelkamp Fraste UK, Envirolab, Landmark Information Group, i2 Analytical, AFITEXINOV UK, BAM Ritchies, Lankelma, Insitu Site Investigation and Geotechnical Engineering.
SPONSORED BY
Job Title:
Carbon Engineer
Company:
Balfour Beatty
Can you provide an overview on your background, current role, and responsibilities?
My background studies lie in BSc (Hons) Geology and MSc Applied Petroleum Geoscience, whereby my thesis focused on renewable energy potential using carbon capture and storage and geothermal energy. From university, I transitioned straight into the construction industry at Balfour Beatty Ground Engineering.
I began as a Contracts Engineer and transitioned to a Design Engineer, of which both roles predominantly focused on precast driven piling. Recently, I moved to Balfour Beatty Major Projects as a Carbon Engineer, whereby
I work on carbon estimating for tenders, and give project delivery teams support with reporting carbon actual data.
What attracted you into the industry?
these play a role in shaping our society and environment.
“ I began as a Contracts Engineer and transitioned to a Design Engineer, of which both roles predominantly focused on precast driven piling.
I am fascinated with the different tools and mechanisms we can use to work with the ground and construct infrastructural creations with rapid impact. Construction yields tangible results quickly, allowing you to see your work take shape right before your eyes. The construction and engineering industry provides great opportunities to be involved in various projects of different scales.
“ I am fascinated with the different tools and mechanisms we can use to work with the ground...
Can you talk us through your poster design and why you decided to focus on carbon and piling?
Whether it’s creating sustainable buildings, enhancing communities, or improving infrastructure, all of
Piling has been a large focus in my career journey, and a discipline where I have been able to proactively support sustainability trials and changes, showcased on the poster. These include aiding in creating the sustainability action plan for Balfour Beatty Ground Engineering, analysing pile wastage on precast driven piling projects, and comparing timber vs plastic packing choices. Carbon can act as a measurable tool to visualise the emissions we produce through a whole project lifecycle. It can demonstrate the impact we have and is a key metric for how sustainability can be measured.
Why are you passionate about sustainability?
In my perspective, sustainability embodies positive change for our communities and environment. I am passionate about sustainability as it provides an opportunity to enhance our past and current practices to alternatives which could have a better global impact for future generations. What would you like to see being done to improve sustainability in the sector?
It would be great to see the industry striving for accurate carbon reporting through a whole project life cycle to understand how we can choose the best options on a per project basis. Through understanding carbon hotspots, and evaluating the best options per project, the most optimum safety, design, engineering, cost, and carbon choices can be made.
How did you find the AGS Annual Conference?
The conference was amazing! It was great to see the theme of sustainability interwoven throughout the day event. I particularly enjoyed the presentations discussing:
I trialled a plastic packing on a precast driven piling project to assess its suitability in soft ground conditions. I compared this to a standard timber packing. From this, I evaluated the viability of both packing products for potential use on future projects.
Î Carbon calculators and a case study for piling
Î Sustainable finance and pensions
Î Sustainable earthworks practice on major civil engineering projects
All presentations provided ways in which we are and can embody sustainability into the work we do.
What advice would you give to other Early careers professionals?
Where you can be proactive, go for it! There are so many opportunities out there that aid in your growth as an early careers professional, and simultaneously expands your network with individuals you may not usually meet in your day to day role.
The recent years have seen the issues of sustainability and climate change move to the forefront of the construction industry, with these topics being considered by many Clients, Contractors and Consultants in their working practices.
With a view to ensuring that climate change requirements are reflected in contracts and, with a view to drive construction professionals to focus on sustainability and climate change, the NEC has introduced a new Secondary Option clause for climate change. Option X29 (climate change) has been drafted as a Secondary Option that parties using the NEC4 suite of contracts can choose to include in their contracts. Published in August 2022, Option X29 represents a positive step in helping the
construction industry be seen to be trying to tackle climate change.
Since its publication, there has been a steady increase in its adoption, with a further increase in the use of this clause expected as practices focus on setting their climate change goals and missions. However, its use does not come without some additional risks and liabilities that parties intending to use this option clause should be aware of.
In this article, we discuss the use of Secondary Option X29, its key features and the risks that may arise when Option X29 is selected to apply in an NEC4 contract.
Key Features
Option X29 introduces several key elements that will help the construction industry address climate change in their contracts. Discussed below are some of the key features that will need to be considered carefully when navigating Option X29 if selected to apply on a
achievable.
The Scope must specify the Climate Change Requirements that must be complied with. This means that any contractor/ consultant will be required to comply with the Climate Change Requirements in order to Provide the Service in accordance with the Scope (as is required under the NEC4 PSC, for example). Therefore, a failure to comply with the requirements would be a Defect if it is considered to relate to the services/works and consequently would require rectification at the Contractor’s/Consultant’s own cost.
“ An open dialogue with clients on the Climate Change Requirements and Climate Change Plan on projects will be important...
An open dialogue with clients on the Climate Change Requirements and Climate Change Plan on projects will be important (and should be encouraged) to ensure the documents and requirements contained therein are palatable and workable for all involved.
It is, therefore, essential that careful consideration is given to the contents of the Climate Change Requirements to ensure that they are both achievable and do not place undue risk on the parties. For example, the Climate Change Requirements will need to be carefully reviewed for obligations that may cause an insurance concern, such as a Fitness For Purpose obligation.
The Climate Change Plan is to be devised by the contractor/consultant and is required to set out the contractor/consultant’s strategy for achieving the Climate Change Requirements (e.g., setting out stakeholders, roles, timescales. key milestones, tools and tasks to get there). The intention behind the drafting is for the plan to be updated as and when instructed and required. The form of the Climate Change Plan will be for the parties to decide and may be set out in the Climate Change Requirements.
It will again require very careful consideration to ensure that the Climate Change Plan proposed on a project is both appropriate and
The drafting of Option X29 includes the provision of a table for setting out any performance requirements and the targets that must be met. This provides a regime for measuring compliance with specified performance targets, for which the client may set out financial incentives.
It is for the parties to set the targets in the Performance Table, which can be in any form that they wish, whether this be through implementing key performance indicators (“KPIs”) or through providing specific values or requirements that are to be met. The targets may also go beyond the Climate Change Requirements. Given the flexibility of the table provided for in the drafting of Option X29, it is key that any targets entered are objectively measurable, with a clear methodology.
If the targets in the Performance Table are not met, the Contractor/Consultant will be required to pay the amounts stated in the Performance Table to the Client, whilst achieving or exceeding the targets will entitle the Contractor/Consultant to a payment in accordance with the Performance Table.
Whilst largely intended to be a positive incentive mechanism to encourage parties to meet the targets, it will be important that the Performance Table is carefully reviewed to ensure that ideally no negative incentives/ damages/penalties are included. Any negative
incentives/damages/penalties are akin to Liquidated Damages, which are typically excluded from the scope of cover under a consultant’s typical insurance policy.
If the Performance Table includes any Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), these should be reflected in the Contractor’s/Consultant’s commercial model (e.g., pricing etc) for the project. It will be important that any KPIs are understood and reviewed to ensure they are acceptable (and are achievable – especially where any negative incentive/damages/ penalties are proposed).
One positive feature of Option X29 is that the Contractor/Consultant can propose changes to the Scope if they believe that they can reduce the environmental impact of the lifecycle of the asset by making changes to the works outlined in the Contract.
The process requires the proposal to be ratified by the Client before any change can occur. Whilst the Client does not have to accept the proposal, it is hoped that this feature will be positively accepted by clients to reduce environmental impacts on projects.
emphasises the need for careful consideration to be given to the Performance Table, particularly if any negative incentives/ damages/penalties are included.
The intention of this clause is a positive step in helping the industry tackle net zero and other related climate change and biodiversity goals, and its inception by NEC is one that should be lauded.
However, it is not a “complete solution”, and parties will need to consider carefully how it should be used and whether any amendments are necessary to balance commercial needs and reflect project-specific standards and whether the proposed actions will make an overall beneficial impact on sustainability and impacts on climate change. The use of this clause and the implications, therefore, require a great deal of thought.
“One positive feature of Option X29 is that the contractor/ consultant can propose changes to the Scope if they believe that they can reduce the environmental impact of the lifecycle of the asset.
The standard NEC4 liability provisions introduce a concept of ‘excluded matters’, for which liability is unlimited. Any amounts payable by the Contractor/Consultant in accordance with the Performance Table will be an excluded matter and, therefore, excluded from the cap on liability (if secondary Option X18 is used). This means that liability for payments of any amounts in the Performance Table is unlimited.
The potential for exposure to significant and/or unlimited liability under this clause
Option X29 has been drafted in a deliberately flexible manner that enables the parties to decide upon the approach that they want to take on a project-by-project basis. This means that project specific amendments may be made to the standard positions discussed within this article. Therefore, the drafting (and implications) of Option X29 will need to carefully considered on a project-by-project basis.
However, there are a few key points to highlight in relation to Option X29 before it is used:
Î As mentioned, the clause is not a complete solution that can just be inserted into a contract. It requires a great deal of thought and discussion between the parties as to how it will be used and the targets that
will be set. These targets need to be both attainable and measurable for the clause to be used effectively.
Î The definitions of Climate Change Requirements and the Performance Table do not include a reference to any of the emerging standards or definitions that we are seeing developed, such as the UK or World Green Building Council’s definition of ‘net zero’.
Whilst the drafting promotes flexibility, it does enable the Client to specify the determination of each definition. Contractors and Consultants should assess the definitions and metrics for each and every contract that they enter.
Î Consultants and Contractors will need to carefully consider the requirements of the clause in line with their professional
indemnity insurance policies. As mentioned in this article, there is a risk that some of the documents discussed may contain provisions that are inconsistent with insurance cover.
The potential benefits that Option X29 (and “green drafting” more generally) can bring may make the effort worthwhile, but it is important that the risks and liabilities associated with and being imposed on the Contractor/Consultant are understood at the outset. Option X29 and “green drafting” more generally, therefore, need to be considered carefully as it could lead to additional risks and liabilities being imposed unfairly on the contractor/consultant in the guise of tackling climate change.
If you would like any further information or would like to discuss this note or the use of Option X29, please contact the authors.
by
Karen Thornton, Land Quality Service Manager, NHBCNHBC's commitment to investing in high-quality research, products, and Standards has always been key to supporting the house building industry in maintaining and improving quality. With around 70,000 plots registered for Buildmark Cover annually on land previously considered Brownfield, NHBC's commitment to ensuring safe and high-quality developments on these sites cannot be overstated.
In 1999, NHBC became the first UK warranty provider to offer extended warranty provisions for contaminated land. It introduced a new
Chapter 4.1 named "Managing Ground Conditions," which outlines the acceptance requirements for warranty and subsequently published Research & Development Publication 66 to guide safe housing development affected by contamination. Although a slow start for those unfamiliar with it, the house-building industry got on board, and with scientific advancements, improved government policy, supporting guidance, and help from specialists like AGS members, the understanding of Contaminated Land Assessment has greatly improved. As a result, contamination claims are now rare.
Recently, the quality and reduced input of geotechnical expertise within submissions has been a concerning trend noticed by the NHBC Land Quality Service team, especially for schemes involving earthworks to prepare sites for residential development. Although NHBC
sees exceptional work, we are increasingly seeing evidence, reporting, or designs that are limited or show a lack of understanding of geotechnics.
It is unclear why this is happening; it could be due to an early emphasis on addressing environmental concerns. These are routinely and rigorously enforced through planning but, as a consequence, can often distract applicants or the necessary investment away from the geotechnical needs until the planning consents are secured and certainty of development investment can be realised.
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industry may be considered less innovative or exciting than other sectors, leading to fewer specialists working in this field. However, as the easier-to-win schemes become less common, this couldn't be further from the truth.
“ Geotechnics within the housebuilding industry may be considered less innovative or exciting than other sectors, leading to fewer specialists working in this field.
Geotechnics within the house-building
Building more homes on marginal or brownfield development is undeniably becoming more frequent. Indeed, NHBC regularly encounters submissions for warranty on challenging and complex sites. These vary from Greenfields that require flood alleviation measures and significant land raising to existing infilled ground such as former quarries or historic landfills, old collieries, and areas with past other industrial land use.
Our registered builders and developers must comply with the technical requirements set out in the NHBC Standards. The NHBC Standards define the technical requirements and performance standards detail how these can be met for the design and construction of homes covered by Buildmark. NHBC regularly reviews and updates the Standards.
NHBC introduced a new Standards Chapter, 4.6, this year to deal with the increasing number of sites using engineered fills for low-rise residential structures, external works, and infrastructure or below raft foundations on sites with shrinkable clays and trees instead of deep trench fill foundations.
Although Chapter 4.6 may not provide any new information for experienced geotechnical professionals, it does introduce a new performance standard for house building. It gives guidance essential for meeting the technical requirements to achieve NHBC acceptance. It also re-emphasises the significance of geotechnics and the
“ From January 1st, 2024, any new earthworks tender required to support building foundations where an NHBC warranty will be requested must comply with the requirements of Chapter 4.6. From January 2025, all new foundations on engineered fill will be expected to comply fully with the requirements of the new chapter.
importance of obtaining quality data to enable a suitable design for and to address foundation quality after earthworks.
From January 1st, 2024, any new earthworks tender required to support building foundations where an NHBC warranty will be requested must comply with the performance requirements of Chapter 4.6. From January 2025, all new foundations on engineered fill will be expected to comply fully with the requirements and guidanceof the new chapter.
NHBC Standards 2024 became effective on January 1, 2024. Chapter 4.6 includes 13 main performance clauses and spans across 28 pages. At the beginning of the chapter, a flowchart (as left) is provided to help practitioners navigate the document. The clauses cover various requirements relating to competence, geotechnical investigation, ground models, appropriate laboratory testing, compliance testing, earthworks specifications, verification, and reporting expectations. Moreover, this chapter also includes significant requirements and considerations regarding acceptable foundations and design. The main
requirements are that:
Î Engineered fills do not settle excessively or have the potential to cause excessive differential settlement between properties founded upon the fill and external areas.
Î Engineered fill and the underlying ground supporting building foundations shall limit the total building settlements to less than 25mm and minimise angular distortion or tilt to 1:400.
Î The design and detailing of foundations,
infrastructure, and external works suit the placed fill and underlying ground conditions, considering the overall ground model and any geohazards beneath or nearby.
The introduction of Table 8 is an important addition in the new chapter. It provides information on foundations that may be suitable based on three different scenarios with varying standards of fill.
But a word of caution: Practitioners should only use this table as guidance. They are
reminded not to rely upon it to justify a less robust foundation solution if geotechnical risks remain outside the fill and to remember that all foundations must be designed on a site-bysite basis, considering all relevant geotechnical risks. If buildings are on piled foundations, it is essential not to overlook considerations regarding differential settlement between the houses and external areas in designing services.
other sources. Long-term monitoring or loading trials may sometimes be necessary to determine performance.
“ If buildings are on piled foundations, it is essential not to overlook considerations regarding any differential settlement between the houses and external areas in designing any services.
Practitioners must remember what is covered and what is not covered in Ch4.6. For instance, assessing historic fills is not included in Ch4.6 and would require additional guidance from
If you are unsure whether your site is suitable for residential development, NHBC provides a Land Quality Service. This service involves close collaboration with stakeholders, enabling early engagement and supporting those seeking approval of solutions. We ensure that the risks associated with land quality and foundation solutions are appropriate for the entire 60-year design life of the properties.
NHBC Standards 2024 can be easily accessed online for free.
Article contributed by Marla Gillow, Senior Geotechnical Engineer, Ramboll and Meggie Cassidy, Principal Geotechnical Engineer, Ramboll
As an industry, we need to widen our sustainability focus away from carbon management and further afield to include biodiversity, nature-based solutions and climate adaptation. Our six practical steps that you can follow as geotechnical engineers to implement the wider aspects of sustainability effectively are as follows:
Î Improve your working practices by upskilling yourself and your colleagues in the broader principles of sustainability.
Î Engage your workforce and equip them with the skills they need to design
sustainable and climate adaptable solutions.
Î Be open to non-traditional approaches and innovative ideas and encourage research in industry applicable solutions on your projects focusing on biodiversity and nature-based solutions.
Î Consult ecologists at preliminary stages in your projects.
Î Engage with researchers into the use of new materials for construction or the adaptation of existing processes utilising constituents that enable biodiversity net gain.
Î Most importantly, don’t wait for someone else to ask you to consider the many aspects of sustainability, take the initiative yourself, and educate your Clients in the process.
We hope that you come away from this article inspired to think more broadly about sustainability.
The scope of sustainability within the ground engineering sector in the UK is developing as Clients, Contractors and Consultants start to take more responsibility to reduce the negative environmental and societal impact that the construction industry creates. The focus within sustainability for the last decade has been on calculating and reducing carbon on projects from materials, transport, and operations. Despite the progress geotechnical engineers have made in this area, we seem to have forgotten that the term ‘sustainability’ encompasses so much more than carbon management and it is pivotal that these other aspects of sustainability, including biodiversity and climate resilience, are considered.
As geotechnical engineers, we have influence on a wide variety of multi-disciplinary construction projects and engage in all stages from outline planning to construction. Therefore, we are in an advantageous position to promote and incorporate the wider themes of sustainability into our designs. It is important that we don’t rest on the sustainability actions of other disciplines but make our own impact as a profession and contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals across a range of projects.
There is minimal research or discussion on how ground engineering can beneficially impact biodiversity and embed climate resilience into our designs. In this article we aim to encourage these lines of conversation and pose questions to the ground engineering sector to deliver a more holistic approach to the delivery of sustainable design solutions.
Biodiversity, short for "biological diversity”, is a term used to describe the variability of life on Earth. In recent times, the importance of biodiversity net gain (BNG) has been stressed in the civil engineering sector, with at least
10% BNG becoming a legal requirement for any projects requiring planning permission as of January 2024. This means that these developments must increase the biodiversity value of their sites by 10% on project completion.
In our line of work, geotechnical specialists have the potential to cause biodiversity loss when developing sites. When constructing linear infrastructure, if not enough care is taken to preserve biodiversity, we could cut through habitats displacing species; or we could create barriers to groundwater using embedded walls impacting nearby habitats due to reduced groundwater flow. If we don’t change the way we work, we will continue to contribute to the biodiversity crisis, which is closely linked to the climate crisis. As an industry, we need to adapt our typical working practices to embed biodiversity net gain through the whole life of the project alongside effective carbon management.
At Ramboll, we are focused on considering the potential for biodiversity net gain in our projects. One exemplar project was the Walthamstow Wetlands in London, which won the GE Sustainability Award in 2018. The wider project had impressive biodiversity accomplishments, restoring valuable wetland area in an urban environment. However, the geotechnical design itself also contributed to improving the biodiversity of the site: an earth retention scheme was designed using timber kingposts and geotextiles as opposed to sheet piles or gabions. Due to the flexibility of the geotextiles, the material could easily imitate natural flowing lines. The geotextiles were also porous, allowing water to flow through the structure, preventing the water from stagnating. The short construction programme required to install this geotechnical scheme also meant that the bird-nesting season was not impacted. As well as offering a low carbon solution, this project also considered the wider aspects of environmental sustainability.
Marine habitat after the installation of OWTs; Illustration by Hendrik Gheerardyn from S. Degraer, D. A. Carey, J. W.P. Coolen, Z. L. Hutchison, F. Kerckhof, B. Rumes and J. Vanaverbeke, “Offshore wind farm artificial reefs affect ecosystem structure and functions,” Oceanography, vol. 33, no. 4, pp. 48-57, 2020.
As part of the foundation design of offshore wind turbines, at Ramboll we are currently researching into offshore habitat creation, which will aim to improve the biodiversity of the oceans by supporting UNSDG 14Life Below Water. Offshore wind farms can become havens for marine life as the foundations below sea level can become artificial reefs and offer new marine habitats. Scour protection measures can be used to improve biodiversity, by using precast concrete units with cavities for life to inhabit and materials that mimic natural chemical substrates. These measures encourage marine growth around foundations, with the possibility for mussels and anemones to colonise the foundations over time.
behalf. So, in addition to the above examples, what can we do as geotechnical designers?
Our advice to you is as follows:
“ Scour protection measures can be used to improve biodiversity, by using precast concrete units with cavities for life to inhabit and materials that mimic natural chemical substrates.
Î Minimise your project footprint area. This can be done by increasing embankment slopes and utilising sheet pile walls instead of solutions that require more space. This will minimise the impact on the biodiversity of the site; however, you should also be aware to consider the carbon footprints of the scheme options.
However, it is important to consider the negative impacts that are inherent in the foundation design and mitigate these where possible. Marine ecosystems can be disturbed by the noise and vibration produced when piles are driven into the seabed. There are several methods that can be used to mitigate the noise generated, including physical barriers, bubble curtains and viscous dampers (cushions).
A combination of these techniques can be applied in addition to vibro-hammer systems for pile driving which are significantly quieter. These techniques all aim to minimise the impact of construction to local wildlife.
Whilst some modern civil engineering projects have goals for biodiversity net gain, the input that we have contributed as geotechnical engineers to date has typically remained a traditional approach. We as an industry need to push ourselves to contribute to biodiversity net gain as part of sub-structure, earthworks, and foundation design, rather than waiting for other disciplines to achieve net gain on our
Î Avoid regrading areas unless necessary; otherwise, design earthworks suitable for plant growth and habitat development through consideration of slope angles, provision of suitable drainage/irrigation and effective replanting through engagement with ecologists on appropriate native planting mixes.
Î Engage early with ecologists prior to finalising the design for the project. Ecologists are much more likely to be able to provide cost-effective and valuable solutions for biodiversity at earlier stages of the project.
Î Consider your impact on biodiversity when planning ground investigations and site walkovers, regardless of the scale of the project.
Î Source responsible materials. Consider the embodied ecological impact of materials caused by the extraction and manufacturing process (https://ukgbc. org/our-work/topics/embodiedecological-impacts/) in addition to the embodied carbon of those materials. We should be reviewing the supply chain of the materials we are specifying and ensuring that materials are recycled/re-used
The biocementation process. Diagram by ACS Sustainable Chem. Eng. 2017, 5, 6, 5183–5190, Publication Date: May 16, 2017. https://doi.org/10.1021/acssuschemeng.7b00521.
Copyright © 2017 American Chemical Society
wherever possible.
Î Consider the materials you are placing in the ground and the impact they may have. For example, consider the material’s chemical composition and its likelihood for releasing microplastics, and whether a retaining wall which could create a groundwater barrier is required or if it could be permeable. Use natural materials instead of impermeable concrete, for example, use permeable stone columns instead of piles; or design rafts instead of piles to prevent interference with aquifers.
More sustainable geotechnical solutions can not only be lower in embodied carbon, but can also be nature-based, improving the biodiversity outcomes of our projects. Nature-based geotechnical solutions can be defined as primarily geotechnical designs that additionally protect, sustainably manage,
and restore natural ecosystems. A practical example that is within our reach is designing slopes for embankments with planting and vegetation and incorporating the benefits of mechanical reinforcement from roots and increase in suction from evapotranspiration. This not only reduces the overdesign of slopes but also, if landscaped correctly and using native plants, can generate a biodiverse geotechnical solution based on nature. To achieve an immediate benefit of this solution it may require the plants to be imported as shrubs rather than seeds so that the vegetation is established more quickly. Similarly to this, planting of trees in specific locations can be a sustainable and naturebased solution to landslide prevention. An emerging field within ground engineering, outside of carbon management, is the use of bio-inspiration to address geotechnical stability issues. However, these solutions
are not common and require assessment of the relative spatial and temporal scales between biological systems and engineering. Biological processes typically occur on a much smaller scale and at shallower depths, hence, the magnitude of pressures is different, as are the strength and stiffness properties. These factors make it challenging to apply biological processes to geotechnical solutions. However, a good example of this is the use of bio-cementation for soil stabilisation or ground improvement. Bio-cementation uses microbially induced carbonate precipitation (MICP) to produce calcium carbonate (CaCO3) to increase the strength and rigidity of coarse soils, improving the strength properties by improving shear strength and compressibility (Safdar et al, 2021). Ramboll are facilitating a Network Rail project with Southbank University where biocementation is being trialled on 30m of new embankment over a horizon of soft peat. If this process becomes more widely researched, it could become an innovative way of stabilising weak soils without the use of imported fill or carbon intensive binders.
geotechnical design could include fluctuating or higher groundwater levels caused by sea level rise and flooding or conversely, lower groundwater levels caused by droughts and the over-extraction of groundwater. Additionally, we may need increased corrosion protection for steel marine structures caused by acidification of the oceans.
In the UK, shrink-swell of stiff and stiffer clays is already an issue for structures, and this will only increase with climate change increasing rainfall and temperatures. Research into the use of natural material barriers (up to 1000mm thick) to reduce the increasing magnitude of movements of shrink-swell clays is being conducted by Climate Adaptation Control Technologies for Urban Spaces (CACTUS) not only as a way of adapting to climate change but also creating a nature-based geotechnical solution. Additionally, changes in the climate can affect the freeze-thaw cycle, impacting roads, pavements and railways requiring changes to subbase design.
“ When considering geotechnical problems, in addition to reducing embodied carbon and improving the biodiversity of our projects, we must design for the future climate.
When considering geotechnical problems, in addition to reducing embodied carbon and improving the biodiversity of our projects, we must design for the future climate. Adaptation of our geotechnical designs to climate change is becoming more critical as we experience ever more frequent extreme weather events and rising global temperatures. Climate resilient designs can be environmentally and economically more valuable, increasing design life, reducing the need for demolition and replacement of assets and, decreasing the risk of engineering failure if a one-off weather event occurs.
Implementation of climate models in
Another way of looking at climate adaptation could be the use of modular design. Marine walls for sea defences can be built by modular design allowing the height of the wall to change. Could this be applied to retaining walls in ground engineering?
We should be encouraging Clients to consider the impacts of climate change on their assets by highlighting to them both the environmental and economic long-term benefits of choosing the sustainable option. Widening our sustainability focus away from carbon management and further afield to include biodiversity, nature-based solutions and climate adaptation will bring great benefits to us as an industry, and to the planet.
(bsi) PD CEN/ TR16110:2024
(bsi) PD CEN/ TS18020:2024
BS ISO 21268-5:2023
Characterization of waste – Guidance on the use of ecotoxicity tests applied to waste Supersedes
Construction products – Assessment of release of dangerous substances – Sampling and quantitative determination of asbestos in construction products
Soil quality — Leaching procedures for subsequent chemical and ecotoxicological testing of soil and soil-like materials — Part 5: Batch test with forced aerobic or anaerobic conditions
BS EN ISO 22036:2024 Environmental solid matrices – Determination of elements using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES)
New
New
Replaces and (bsi) PD ISO/TS 22171:2023
Soil quality – Determination of potential cation exchange capacity (CEC) and exchangeable cations buffered at pH 7 using a molar ammonium acetate solution
New
(a) This table is derived from the work programmes of BSI Technical Committees EH/4-Soil quality and B/526/3-Ground investigation
CEN EN 1997-1 Eurocode 7 - Geotechnical design – General Rules Will A1:
CEN EN 1997-2 Eurocode 7 - Geotechnical design – Ground properties Will
CEN EN 1997-3 Eurocode 7 - Geotechnical design – Geotechnical structures Will
ISO/WD 18674-6 (for CD consultation)
CEN prEN, ISO DIS 18674-7
CEN FprEN, ISO FDIS 22476-16
Geotechnical investigation and testing -Geotechnical monitoring by field instrumentation — Part 6: Measurement of settlement: Hydraulic settlement systems
Geotechnical investigation and testing – Geotechnical monitoring by field instrumentation – Part 7: Measurement of strains: Strain gauges
Geotechnical investigation and testing – Field testing –Part 16: Borehole shear test -
BS 10175 (revision) Investigation of potentially contaminated sites – Code of practice
ISO CD 7303 Soil quality - Simplified method for oral bioaccessability of metal(oids) in soils
ISO DIS 8259 Soil quality – Bioaccessibility of organic and inorganic pollutants from contaminated soil and soil-like material
ISO DIS 11074 Soil quality - Vocabulary
ISO CD 18718 Assessment of soil functions and related ecosystem services: definitions, descriptions and conceptual framework
ISO CD18721 Assessment of soil functions: indicators and methods
ISO DIS 24212
quality - Remediation techniques applied at contaminated sites
PUBLISHED STANDARDS (a) SUPERSEDED/WILL
Supersedes EN/TR16110:2010
Published February 2024
New standard Published March 2024
New standard
Replaces BS ISO 22036:2008 and BS EN 16170:2016
New standard
Published December 2023
Published January 2024
Published January 2024
investigation and ground testing. Copies of draft standards (e.g. CD, DIS, prEN) are usually available for review and comment via AGS.
STANDARDS – In preparation
Will partially replace BS EN 1997-1: 2004 +
A1: 2013
Will replace BS EN 1997-2: 2007
Will partially replace BS EN 1997-1: 2004
Progressing to FprEN
Progressing to FprEN
Progressing to FprEN
New standard Comment period ends 8 April 2024
New standard ISO comment period ended 15 March 2024
Comment period ended 13 May 2023
BS EN 1990:2023 Basis of structural and geotechnical design was published in April 2023. Publication of EN1997-1 and EN 1997-2 is expected by about July 2024. Publication of EN 1997-3 is likely about January 2025.For more information see: Bond A, Ground Engineering, 2023 (November) 30-32.
10175:2011+A2:2017
New standard
Will complement BS ISO 17924 – see also
ISO CD 8529
New Standard
Will complement BS ISO 17924 – see also
ISO CD 7303
EN ISO 11074:2015+A1:2020
New standard
New standard
New standard
Draft for Public Comment (DPC) expected in May 2024
DIS expected June 2024
Proceeding to FDIS 2024
Proceeding to FDIS 2024
Proceeding to DIS Will be Technical Specification (TS) 2024/5
Proceeding to DIS Will be Technical Specification (TS) 2024/5
Proceeding to FDIS 2024
Equipe Training's specialist geotechnical training courses are delivered both in person at our dedicated training facility just outside of Banbury, Oxfordshire, and also online via Zoom!
Available upcoming dates are provided below:
Î 5th June 2024 - Mastering the AGS Data Format
Î 19th June 2024 - Earthworks Design & Constructions (Online)
Î 20th June 2024 - Slope Stability Design (Online)
Î 17th July 2024 - Basic Foundation Design
Î 18th July 2024 - Further Foundation Design
Î 23rd July 2024 - Understanding and Scheduling Geotechnical Laboratory Tests
Î 24th July 2024 - Professor David Norbury’s Soil Description Workshop
Î 19th September 2024 - Professor David Norbury’s Rock Description Workshop
Places on these courses can be booked online here, or via contacting Equipe on +44 (0)1295 670990 or info@equipegroup.com
Equipe Training and their health and safety training partners RPA Safety Services and EB Safety Solutions are delighted to announce their collection of specialist health and safety courses for the geotechnical market have resumed being delivered in person, as well as being delivered online where required.
These courses are approved and certified by the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) and meet the requirements of UK Health and Safety regulations for working on geotechnical and land drilling sites. Upcoming courses have limited numbers of places available in order to maintain social distancing within the classroom environment. Upcoming dates include:
Î 22nd May 2024 - Managing and working with Asbestos Risk in GI (MARGI)
Î 18th – 20th June 2024 - IOSH Safe Supervision of Geotechnical Sites
Î 11th July 2024 - IOSH Avoiding Danger from Underground Services
Places on these courses can be booked online here, or via contacting Equipe on +44 (0)1295 670990 or info@equipegroup.com
Delivered in partnership with RPA Safety Services
IOSH Safe Supervision of Geotechnical Sites (3 Days) - £495 + VAT
Learn in detail how to keep yourself and your on-site operatives safe in the field - industry SSSTS equivalent
IOSH Avoiding Danger from Underground Services - £175 + VAT
In accordance with the requirements and guidance set out within HSG47
Delivered in partnership with EB Safety Solutions & RPA Safety Services
MARGI - Managing & working with Asbestos Risk in Ground Investigation - £225 + VAT
Comprehensive guidance to deal with asbestos in a GI environment, including CAR 2012
Geotechnical Courses
Prof. David Norbury’s Soil Description Workshop - £295 + VAT
Providing a detailed approach to soil description practices and techniques
Prof. David Norbury’s Rock Description Workshop - £295 + VAT
Providing a detailed approach to rock description practices and techniques
Understanding and Scheduling Geotechnical Laboratory Tests - £250 + VAT
Detailed overview of processes involved in efficiently scheduling Geotechnical Laboratory Testing
Delivered in partnership with Plough Geotechnical
Basic Foundation Design - £250 + VAT
Shallow foundation overview for geotechnical practitioners and engineers
Further Foundation Design - £250 + VAT
Complex & deep pile foundations for geotechnical practitioners and engineers
Earthworks Design and Construction - £250 + VAT
A general overview of materials sourcing / selection for design & construction
Slope Stability Design - £250 + VAT
Comprehensive overview for geotechnical practitioners and engineers
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We welcome both companies and individuals who want to be recognised for their quality of practice to join our growing membership of over 130 Members. We shape our industry, continually improve practice and collaborate on issues that affect us all; from clients, all the way through to the people who use the land and the buildings we help develop.
To become a Member of the AGS, please visit http://www.ags.org.uk/about/become-a-member and submit your application online. Please note that all membership applications are reviewed by the Membership Committee 6 weeks in advance of each quarterly Executive meeting. The deadline for the next round of completed applications is 8th August 2024.
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