November 2020
UPDATED LAND CONTAMINATION GUIDANCE The latest update from the Environment Agency.
MANAGEMENT OF SURPLUS SOILS
UPCOMING WEBINARS FROM AGS
New guidance from CIRIA on how to sustainably manage surplus soils
Full information about upcoming webinars being delivered by the AGS
WORKING GROUP UPDATE: INSTRUMENTATION & MONITORING The first update from the AGS’ latest Working Group
ABOUT THE AGS
The Association of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Specialists (AGS) is a non-profit making 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.
EDITORIAL BOARD
Chair’s Foreword I have noticed that many AGS members are reporting on Social Media that it is ‘business as usual’ but I suspect this is more like ‘business as we have become accustomed to’. Whatever it is, it does underline that AGS member’s services are a critical link within construction and this is hugely benefiting our industry at the moment. I think this is a lesson to be learnt and it always surprises me how the industry chooses when and when not to promote our activities as ‘construction’ or ‘construction related’. Many of our member’s services are specialist but aligning the industry with construction could lead to huge benefits. There are a number of initiatives which are being promoted in the wider construction sector such as mental health, diversity and inclusion, fatigue awareness and human behaviour. The AGS are well placed to be involved through our members, 2
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Working Groups and links to organisations such as Ground Forum but we have to be recognised as one of ‘the team’. So let’s embrace the fact that we are truly a ‘critical link’ within construction and shout about it. 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.
Julian Lovell, AGS Chair Caroline Kratz, Forum Court Associates (FCA) Katie Kennedy, FCA Calum Spires, Equipe Group Neil Parry, GEL David Entwisle, BGS Jim Poole, Coffey Chris Vincett, Hydrock Vivien Dent, RSK Adam Latimer, Ian Farmer Associates Dimitris Xirouchakis, Structural Soils Emma Anderson, HaskoningDHV UK Jonathan Gammon, 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 205 Devonshire House Business Centre, 29-31 Elmfield Road Bromley, Kent, BR1 1LT ags@ags.org.uk
Julian Lovell AGS Chair
020 8658 8212 Association of Geotechnical & Geoenvironmental Specialists @agsgeotech www.ags.org.uk
Inside this month’s issue
FEATURE PAGE 16
COVER STORY PAGE 12 In October 2020, the Environment Agency published updated land contamination guidance
New CIRIA Guidance on Sustainable Management of Surplus Soils Materials management is a key commercial and compliance issue on all construction projects that generate large amounts of surplus soil. Managing these soils and navigating the abundance of associated guidance, regulation and legislation is an important but challenging task.
FPS LATEST PODCAST ON MENTAL HEALTH FEATURING RUBY WAX PAGE 6 FPS Podcast shines a light on the issue of mental health.
AGS UPCOMING EVENTS PAGE 8 Details on upcoming webinars in 2020 discussing AGSi and AGS 4.1
Q & A: MADELEINE BARDSLEY PAGE 18 The AGS Magazine conducts a Q & A with Madeleine Bardsley of Wood Group.
MORE INSIDE
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News in Short: AGS Yellow Book Contest
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Working Group Update Instrumentation & Monitoring
PAGE 22
Industry Events Calendar All announced events for 2021
November 2020
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News in Short AGS Yellow Book Photography Competition The AGS are holding a photography competition to source a potential cover for the third edition of the UK Specification for Ground Investigation (Yellow Book). The Yellow book aids the general application of ground investigation work and also includes associated schedules and bills of quantities. This document is currently under review and the Third Edition is
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due to be published in 2021.
IMAGE REQUIREMENTS
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
We’re on the lookout for your most creative images that reflectthe industry. Ideally, the image will not contain people, however this isn’t essential and we’re happy to consider all images of a geotechnical and ground engineering nature.
The AGS are looking for high-resolution jpeg images (no less than 300 dpi / over 1mb image file size) of a geotechnical nature. Images should be no smaller than 4200 x 3400 pixels. Please note that landscape images are preferred.
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Applicants must be aged 18 or over.
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All images must be high resolution and 300 DPI (dots per inch) / over 1mb image file size.
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Applicants must be based in the UK.
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The photographer must have full copyright of all entered images.
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All images entered may be reproduced by the AGS and used in future AGS event and marketing literature without prior notice. This may include usage across the AGS’ social media channels, inclusion in the AGS Magazine, event programmes and on the AGS website. Please note that all images used will be credited.
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The AGS will put forward the winning entry to ICE Publishing for use as a cover image for the Yellow Book but cannot guarantee that it will be used.
Entry into the competition is free and the winner will win a food hamper basket from luxury retailer, Fortnum and Mason, worth over £75. Three runners up will each win a bottle of Champagne.
HOW TO ENTER •
There are no restrictions on the photography equipment used, so feel free to use a phone, computer, tablet or a traditional camera to capture your image. All entries will be reviewed by select members of the AGS Magazine Editorial Board and the AGS Procurement of Ground Investigation Steering Group, who will decide on a shortlist and a winner. The results of the competition will be announced in the March 2021 issue of AGS Magazine.
Please email your image with: • A short description of what it showcases and where it was taken (up to 50 words) • Image credit info (if applicable) • Your full name • Company name • Postal address to ags@ags.org.uk with the subject title ‘AGS Magazine: Yellow Book Photography Competition’.
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There is no limit to the number of images you enter.
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The deadline for entries is Friday 5th February 2021.
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Entry into the competition is free
The top three AGS publications for October 2020 1. AGS Guidance on Waste Classification for Soils - A Practitioners Guide 2. AGS Guide to Environmental Sampling 3. AGS Guidelines for Good Practice in Geotechnical Ground Investigation To download the publications for free; click here.
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News in Short Ruby Wax talks mental health in the FPS’ latest podcast October’s Federation of Piling Specialists (FPS) podcast, features the highly successful comedian, presenter, author and prominent mental health speaker, Ruby Wax and James Rudoni, Managing Director of Mates in Mind (MiM). This leading UK charity is changing the conversation around mental health in the workplace. This special edition podcast explores why construction has such a mental health problem, how to manage fear, as well as what we can all do to help others
the mainstream. Discussing frankly, but with plenty of humour, Ruby talks about her own personal issues, how it led to a Master degree from Oxford University and how her studies concluded with a show built around mental health.
The “derogatory wrap” to mental health is discussed and why it exists, before moving on to how and why it disproportionality impacts the construction industry when compared to many other industries. Ruby also expresses her thoughts on how mental health will be perhaps the next pandemic The intrinsic and if we will be ready to issues of the tackle it? How COVID has opened new ways we can construction sector support each other and how – machismo, poor it is important we maintain diet, lack of rest – are this post-COVID, is also discussed and how discussed.
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Hosting the podcast, FPS they are not helping the The intrinsic issues of Chair Steve Hadley kicked issues... the construction sector – off the discussions exploring machismo, poor diet, lack first, how Ruby became involved of rest – are discussed and how they are not in the issue of mental health. Ruby, in her own helping the issues, but worryingly, whilst the comedic style speaks about how she had her industry is moving forward it still has such a own mental health issues but like so many long way to go. of us, kept them quiet through fear of being stigmatised or even, as was Ruby’s case, being Topical at present, Ruby talks about how the fired. From Comic Relief using her picture across “bad news” that we are being constantly hit the tube stations to highlight mental illness with is not helping matters and may even be prevalence, Ruby decided to confront the issue fuelling some of our mental issues. As she head-on through her stage performances. Her comments “we are all Velcro for the negative, style brought humour to the issue and helped but Teflon though for positive”. Ruby follows bring the discussion on mental health into with how tools such as mindfulness can help us 6
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all cope. Ruby considers how letting go of ‘stuff’ rather than hanging on to things – negative – can be a real positive move in dealing with anxieties and other mental health issues, as well as the role of tools like Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Mindfulness in us all coping. She even poses – we go to the gym each day, why not the same for our mind? If there is a take home message, then its “get to know your own mind”. Ruby also speaks of the importance of listening and engaging with others and recognising the signs of mental illness in others. Steve then brought James into the conversation and after James explains the origins of Mates in Mind, and why it was needed in the construction sector, Ruby then quizzed him on how it supports construction. James then talks about how they often begin by defining mental health then on to how workers can self-manage or support colleagues. Getting rid of the stigma being a priority. The sense of
community was reiterated in supporting each other through meatal health issues too. How the charity is changing the culture in the construction sector to remove the embarrassment was detailed and Ruby adds how the word “Mental” may actually be more harmful than calling it what it is “a brain illness” – a condition just like any other physical illness. The impact of COVID on mental health was also discussed, with James presenting some extremely disturbing figures on its impact. Once again, the importance of communities in our wellbeing is reinforced – that sense of purpose and engagement having such a positive impact on us all. Steve closes the podcast thanking James and Ruby, but also reiterates how important the issue of mental health is to us all. A must listen podcast, full of helpful advice and tips, and can be listened to here: https://tinyurl. com/y2kq58et
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UPCOMING EVENTS
Date: Wednesday 25th November Time: 11am Duration: 1 hour and 30 minutes Cost: Free of charge To register for free, click HERE. Have you ever found yourself looking for: •
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An industry standard non-proprietary method for transferring a ground model and/or interpreted geotechnical parameters to another organisation. A way of importing your ground model into a BIM model that does not involve lots of reprocessing or data loss. A common data format for ground information that your analysis software can understand, making automation of design workflows much easier.
If you have answered yes to any of the above, then you are not alone! For the last couple of years the AGS Data Management Working Group has been working on this very problem. The solution we have come up with is AGSi, a new transfer format for ground information, in particular ground models and interpreted data. This webinar will be the official launch of 8
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AGSi. Of course, we already have the existing very successful AGS data format, which is used for the transfer of factual data from ground investigation and monitoring. AGSi will complement the existing AGS format, picking up where it leaves off. No prior knowledge of the AGS format is required for AGSi.
In this webinar we will cover the following: • • • • • • • • • •
Background to AGSi Cases utilising AGSi and potential benefits Overview of the schema, diving into detail in some areas Introduction to JSON encoding Practical examples Tips on how you could use AGSi today Where to find the (online) documentation Relationship to the existing AGS format How AGSi fits in with other model formats (e.g. IFC Geotechnical) Future plans
Who should attend? • • •
Geotechnical engineers Geologists Hydrogeologists
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Contamination specialists BIM/CAD modellers Asset managers Software developers
In summary, anyone involved in the creation or sharing of ground models, whether they be geological, geotechnical, hydrogeological or geo-environmental. The webinar will be hosted by Jérôme Chamfray and Neil Chadwick, with assistance from other members of the AGS Data Management Working Group (AGSi sub-group). For details on Diamond and Gold sponsorship packages, click HERE or email ags@ags.org.uk.
Speakers Neil Chadwick Independent Consultant & Digital Geotechnical Specialist Neil is a geotechnical engineer with special expertise in geotechnical data management and the application of BIM and digital workflows in geotechnics. He is a member of the AGS Data Management Working Group and is the lead author of AGSi. He is also part of a worldwide initiative on geotechnical data standardisation jointly organised by building SMART and the Open Geospatial Consortium. Until recently, Neil was an Associate at Arup where he spent over 20 years working on major projects in the building and infrastructure sectors, including Crossrail, Westfield Stratford City and the London 2012 Athletes Village. Jérôme Chamfray (BEng) Chief Geo-Digital Engineer at Jacobs Jérôme is member of the AGS Data Management
Working Group. He has contributed to the development of industry approaches to BIM and Digital Engineering on Ground Engineering and Tunnelling projects. His expertise is centred on ground modelling, design automation, data management and BIM using AGS geotechnical data combined with 3D spatial information. Jerome also has significant experience in the development of design automation approaches for geotechnical assets which provide significant time and cost savings. His wide range of expertise and valuable knowledge have led him to be identified as a technical expert on large multidisciplinary projects in South Africa, Middle East and the UK. David Farmer Geotechnical Engineer, Arup Dave is a geotechnical engineer at Arup and a member of the AGS data management working group. He specialises in geotechnical data management and ground modelling with a keen interest in digital design and automation. Dave has a broad knowledge of BIM, CAD and GIS applications for geotechnical and geoenvironmental use. Julian Lovell Managing Director at Equipe Group & AGS Chair Julian is the current Chair of AGS and has been involved in the geotechnical industry for over 30 years. He is actively involved in producing safety and technical guidance for the industry and sits on British and European committees. He is also Managing Director of Equipe which is the UK’s leading provider of vocational training and assessment. Julian is currently working with the AGS Yellow Book Revision Working Group to ensure Specifications are data centric. November 2020
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Date: Tuesday 8th December Time: 11am Duration: 1 hour and 30 minutes Cost: Free of charge To register for free, click HERE. The AGS are pleased to announce, Striding into the Future with AGS 4.1, a webinar organised by the AGS Data Management Working Group is taking place on Tuesday 8th December at 11am. It’s been a decade since the first release of AGS 4.0 in May 2010. In response to new laboratory standards and updated UK practice over this period we will be releasing a new version AGS 4.1 on December 8th 2020. The original AGS 4.0 document has been completely reviewed and AGS 4.1 represents a substantial update to the Data Dictionary introducing the following new subjects: • •
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Data Dictionary separated from the data transfer format Major improvements for handling geoenvironmental data and environmental containers Advanced laboratory testing Drillers descriptions Field geohydraulic testing Downhole geophysics wireline Rock abrasiveness testing Laboratory unconfined compression test
The webinar hopes to provide in depth detail on the topics above and will include discussion on common frustrations with the format, aims to blast through misconceptions and explain what incorrect assumptions have/are being made. It will also give the attendees an opportunity to ask the AGS Data Management Working Group questions.
SPEAKERS
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Jackie Bland IT and Data Manager at Geotechnics Ltd Jackie has worked in the geotechnical industry since 1989 and has been closely involved with the Association of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Specialists (AGS) ‘Electronic Transfer of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Data’ since its inception in 1990 (AGS 1.0) and in 2010 took over the Chairmanship of the Data Management Working Group responsible for its continued development and progress. Mark Bevan (MSci FRGS) Associate Director (Data Management Team Leader), Structural Soils Ltd Mark has worked in the ground investigation industry since 1998 specialising in the ground investigation data management discipline. He has significant data management and reporting experience working on some of the largest and most complex ground investigations in the UK and leads a team of ground investigation data managers. Mark was invited onto the AGS Data Management Working Group in 2009 and helped contribute to AGS 4.0 and all subsequent versions (AGS 4.0.3, AGS 4.0.4, BS8574:2014 and now AGS 4.1). He is passionate about data management, processes, software and standards and is an active member of the Data Management Working Group - working for the benefit of the industry.
SPONSOR Datgel Datgel are gINT experts with a 15-year track record delivering gINT Add-In software like the CPT Tool and DGD Tool, and customised Geotechnical data management solutions. We also resell Bentley Systems Geotechnical
Software range – gINT, Keynetix, Plaxis and SoilVision; and resell Golden Software – including Surfer and Grapher. Datgel has been working with AGS Format data starting with our first project in 2005, and today our range of gINT Add-In products are used around the globe to import and export AGS Format – AGS 3.1, AGS 3.1 RTA 1.1, AGS 3.1 (SG), AGS 4.0, Orsted AGS4+, and soon to support AGS 4.1. www.datgel.com
SPONSORSHIP Gold sponsorship packages are available for this event, for full details and rates visit https://www.ags.org.uk/2020/09/webinarsponsorship/ or email ags@ags.org.uk Registration This webinar is 1 hour and 30 minutes long and is free of charge to register. To register visit the AGS website or click HERE.
Webinar Sponsorship Packages DIAMOND SPONSOR
GOLD SPONSOR
*one package available per webinar
*10 packages available per webinar
Price: £800 (members) or £1,100 (nonmembers)
Price: £350 (members) or £650 (nonmembers)
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Company website link or pop-up promotion to feature during the webinar Company mention during webinar opening & closing address Logo & overview in the event program Logo & overview in promotional emails Company Q&A in AGS Magazine Full page advert in AGS Magazine (worth £400) Two complementary event registrations (applicable for paid for events) Large logo on sponsor slide Logo on registration page Company logo and overview on the AGS’ Twitter page (2,804 followers) Company logo and overview on the AGS’ LinkedIn page (4,111 followers) Company overview & URL on AGS website
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Logo & overview in the event program Logo on sponsor slide Company mention during webinar opening & closing address Logo featured in promotional emails Company directory insert in AGS Magazine (worth £50) One complementary event registration (applicable for paid for events) Company logo and overview on the AGS’ social media channels (Twitter and LinkedIn) Company overview on AGS website
If your company would like to support any AGS webinars or if you’d like any further information on the events, please contact Caroline Kratz on ags@ags.org.uk.
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Environment Agency publishes updated land contamination guidance
Article contributed by Phil Fitzgerald, Environment Agency, Advisor: Land contamination management Water, Land and Biodiversity
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n the 8th October 2020 the Environment Agency (EA) republished Land Contamination Risk Management (LCRM). This replaces the Model procedures
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for the management of land contamination (CLR11), which has been withdrawn. You can access the updated document from the GOV.UK website. The EA first published LCRM in June 2019. This was reformed content based on the framework and principles established by CLR11. It represented a major and much needed update. The EA asked for informal feedback and they
page. The HTML guides are: 1. Before you start the risk management process. 2. Risk assessment. 3. Options appraisal. 4. Remediation and verification. Helpful checklists for reporting requirements are included at the end of each stage. The site investigation section, which now aligns more to the relevant British Standards, forms an integral part of the risk assessment stage. had a huge response with about 350 comments from individuals and organisations. A lot of feedback was provided on the usability of the GOV.UK ‘manual’ publishing format. To address this the EA opted to use a different format. LCRM is now presented as 4HTML guides that sit on a unique publication
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The EA considered putting the whole document together as one single HTML but felt for online guidance it was better to break it down into relevant, useable sections.
The site investigation section, which now aligns more to the relevant British Standards, forms an integral part of the risk assessment stage.
Everyone needs to read before you start, then use a tiered approach to risk assessment (always starting with a preliminary risk
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Web Content: Mobile and Tablet variations
assessment), then follow stages 2 and 3 in order. You can print the 4 HTML guides, search for particular terms more easily and save them as PDFs if required. The latest version will always be on GOV.UK. For any future changes updates will be visible on the LCRM webpage. For any major updates the EA will also communicate via CL:AIRE e-alerts and through other routes such as twitter - @GeoscienceEA.
ordnance, communicating the risk, piling, geotechnical and treatability studies •
They have also provided clarity and improved text on: •
who is a competent person
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the use of MCERTS and Rapid Measurement Techniques (RMTs)
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the use of Soil Guideline Values (SGVs) and Category 4 Screening Levels (C4SLs)
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ground gases and vapours
Feedback and changes The majority of the comments were constructive and positive and the EA welcomed the feedback. The EA looked at: •
the technical content
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practical matters such as usability, printing, navigation and search
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the layout and structure including a lack of clarity over stages and tiers
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suggestions for new and improved content on for example, unexploded
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more alignment to British Standards for the site investigation section
The term ‘contaminant linkage’ rather than ‘pollutant linkage’ is now used. Following the risk assessment stage, they become ‘relevant contaminant linkages.’ There is reference to the voluntary National Quality Mark Scheme (NQMS), which the EA support. There is a link to the AGS guidance on unexploded ordnance. LCRM will continue to use and reference the CL:AIRE Water and Land
Library. There is now more emphasis on adopting a sustainable approach using for example, the SURF-UK Framework and BS ISO 18504: Soil quality – sustainable remediation.
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The archived version of CLR11 may still appear in other online searches. Please ignore this or be aware, that you can only use it for historical reference.
The EA had feedback on the lack of flow charts. They felt that LCRM does not need all of the flow charts that were in CLR11. It now follows a logical and clear structure. However, they have not ruled this out and are still considering options.
There was a lot of feedback on the remediation option applicability matrix. This will be updated and re-published before the end of the year. The EA has concentrated on getting the main guidance document republished first as this was delayed due to the COVID-19 situation.
The EA is aware that CLR11 is extensively referenced. There is no immediate action to replace all of these references. If people search GOV.UK for CLR11 they will be redirected to LCRM. For sites that the EA regulate, reference must now be made to LCRM not CLR11.
The archived version of CLR11 may still appear in other online searches. Please ignore this or be aware, that you can only use it for historical reference.
Popularity of LCRM GOV.UK weekly user statistics show that since LCRM was published on the 8th Oct 2020 there has been increased interest from the land contamination community with significant downloads.
Accessible web content
Future updates
The EA have to meet laws on producing accessible web content. It must be:
The EA will only be able to update LCRM periodically but if you want to provide any feedback you can continue to do so by emailing Phil Fitzgerald at groundwater.enquiries@ environment-agency.gov.uk.
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accessible to people with disabilities such as visual, motor, cognitive and hearing impairments (in the UK 1 in 5 people have a disability)
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useable with assistive technology such as screen readers
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concise, clear and understandable to all
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available online to use on all devices (laptop, mobile phone, tablet) – about 50% of people viewing EA content now do so via a mobile phone
The EA wishes to thank everyone that took the time to respond. They would also like to thank Rebecca Fowler This is not just our who is an EA digital editor for her excellent support in guidance, we want helping to produce LCRM. industry to embrace
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it, help us to improve it and keep it up to date. It had a big act to follow.
The EA have stated that: “This is not just our guidance, we want industry to embrace it, help us to improve it and keep it up to date. It had a big act to follow.”
Withdrawal of CLR11 CLR11 has now been formally withdrawn.
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Image Credit: Eric Downey, Structural Soils
New CIRIA Guidance on Sustainable Management of Surplus Soils Article contributed by Andy O’Dea Technical Director Cognition Land and Water
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aterials management is a key commercial and compliance issue on all construction projects that generate large amounts of surplus soil. Managing these soils and navigating the abundance of associated guidance, regulation and legislation is an important but challenging task.
manage their site soils including defining and classifying wastes, and procedures to be followed for treatment, reuse and disposal. It will differ from other waste guidance by looking specifically at the management requirements for specific site activities. This will enable the busy site manager to quickly get to the information they need for the actual process they are undertaking. It will also help the designer or planner understand soil management options at the outset thereby reducing the opportunities for generation of waste soils in the first place.
Funding has been obtained, the project research contractor has been Funding has appointed and the first steering group meeting is been obtained, to be held in November. It the project research is proposed that the first contractor has been draft of the report will be appointed and the completed by late December first steering group 2020 and open consultation meeting is to be held in workshops will be held in late January 2021. CIRIA November. and the Project Steering Group would welcome contributions and comments during the CIRIA has recognised these difficulties and consultation phase to ensure that the report commissioned a research project with the meets the requirements of the industry. If you primary aim of producing concise, up to date, have any queries or would like to receive early interactive guidance on the whole surplus notification of consultation workshops, please soil management process from ‘cradle to contact CIRIA Project Manager, Joanne Kwan grave’. The guidance will allow the user on joanne.kwan@ciria.org. to make informed decisions about how to There are significant complexities around deciding if site soils are a waste or when they have achieved end-of-waste status. There is also much confusion in the industry on how to classify, handle, store, dispose or reuse such soils whilst ensuring compliance with relevant legal obligations and regulatory requirements.
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WITH WORLD CLASS ONLINE GEOTECHNICAL TRAINING FROM EQUIPE Equipe are delighted to announce that a range of our geotechnical and health and safety coruses can now be delivered as online distance-learning training during the COVID-19 enforced shutdown. This means you can stay up-to-date with your training from the comfort of your own home/office. The courses will still be delivered live by our training team and will be fully interactive, but some courses will be split into modules that will be delivered across multiple days.
Online Health and Safety Courses
Delivered in partnership with RPA Safety Services & EB Safety Solutions
IOSH Safe Supervision of Geotechnical Sites - £495 + VAT
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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
November 2020
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Q & A with...
Madeleine Bardsley PhD, CEng, MICE, CMaPS, SiLC, SQP
Job Title: Associate Director Company: Wood Group Brief Biography: I have spent 20 years in geoenvironmental consultancy. My first taste of site work was as a sponsored student with Taylor Woodrow. After graduating I joined Dames & Moore and worked on ground investigations and remediation schemes. To get through ICE Chartership, I moved to Mott MacDonald and worked on a mixture of geotechnical and geoenvironmental projects. In 2002, I decided to focus on land quality projects and joined Enviros’ London team led by Hugh Mallett, whose enthusiasm and knowledge created a perfect environment for learning. After 13 years, I moved to Wood and now work with a great group of people in the Remediation and Ground Engineering Team.
What or who inspired you to join the geotechnical industry? At school I loved maths 18
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and physics and wanted a career where there was a practical application for your efforts, which led me to civil engineering. During my degree at UCL, the subject that interested me most was soil mechanics and my lecturer – Dr Richard Bassett – suggested I continue studies by doing a PhD. I moved universities to Cambridge and studied under Dr Chrysanthi Savvidou looking at a remediation technique using electricity called electrokinetics. Both lecturers inspired me and passed on their enthusiasm for their subject and confidence in my ability.
What does a typical day entail? One of the joys of our industry is the variety of clients, project scopes and types of sites that we come across. I’ve been lucky to work on a diverse range of sites including: defence, fuel depots, waste plants, gasworks and housing developments. Every project is different and there is usually a challenge to keep you interested. I know it’s a cliché but there really is no ‘typical’ day - I might be reviewing a report,
meeting a client, visiting a site, working on initiatives to improve health and safety in our projects, carrying out a principal designer review of a project, organising a team meeting or holding a colleague’s personal development review. I love the variety.
Are there any projects which you’re particularly proud to have been a part of? The projects I am most proud of are the ones that I have seen through from contaminated ground to completion of the remediation – bringing land back into use. One project for Brent Council springs to mind, where we investigated and remediated the gardens within a residential part of the borough having successfully applied for funding under Part 2A. I was Project Director and the client was knowledgeable, decisive and easy to work with. It’s not a project but I enjoyed being part of the AGS steering group that revised the UK Specification for Ground Investigation (known as the
‘Yellow Book’). I learned a lot from the other members of the Steering Group and am proud of the revised document.
What are the most challenging aspects of your role? I would say juggling all the demands of the different parts of my role. I manage a team across three offices, lead on health and safety for Wood’s national team including carrying out Principal Designer reviews, and provide technical direction for several projects. This year has been a huge challenge and, as most of the team are working from home, it has been difficult keeping people connected and finding the time between numerous Teams calls to stay in touch with colleagues.
What AGS Working Group(s) are you a Member of and what are your current focuses? I have been a member of the AGS Health and Safety Working Group for over 15 years. I’ve recently updated the AGS publication on ‘dealing with contamination during an intrusive investigation’ and
now I am looking at health issues associated with using vacuum excavation in soils with asbestos where the asbestos is not visible. I’m also part of the recently formed sub-group on trial pitting safety which is looking at the aspects of working at height and emergency planning for trial pitting.
resource – particularly the loss prevention alerts and guidance.
What do you find beneficial about being an AGS Member?
and how they apply to ground investigation. I would like to see a better understanding and the consistent implementation of the Regs across the industry. There are significant benefits to health and safety in the field if there is consideration of health and safety and rigorous planning at the design stage.
Why do you feel the AGS is important to the industry?
The AGS aims to improve many aspects of the industry through guidance and working group initiatives. Best practice is developed and shared throughout the industry. As What do you enjoy most a trade association it’s able to about being an AGS cover a wider membership Member? than professional institutions Being part of the Health and and so is more representative Safety Working Group provides of our industry. a valuable opportunity to raise What changes would you issues that you are grappling like to see implemented in with and work collaboratively the geotechnical industry? with knowledgeable people from across the industry. I’m always disappointed when The discussion is frank and an interview candidate tells me informed with the aim of that they do not know what coming to a consensus and the Construction Design and writing guidance to share. Management Regulations are
AGS provides access to a welcoming forum where issues can be raised and discussed with the collective aim of improving the industry. I also find the publications cover a range of issues and are useful
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AGS Working Group Focus
Instrumentation & Monitoring Overview webinar includes presentations from Jonathan Gammon, Philip Child, Paul Burton, Dr Andrew Ridley and Julian Lovell. Further details about the webinar can be found on the AGS website.
Jonathan Gammon, Leader of the AGS Instrumentation & Monitoring Working Group, has provided an update on the top issues the AGS I&MWG discussed at their last meeting which took place virtually on 16th September 2020.
Critical Links in Ground Engineering Webinar The I&MWG’s webinar on Critical Links in Ground Engineering is taking place on Wednesday 4th November 2020 at 10am. The four-hour
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Assisting with the AGS Procurement of Ground Investigation Initiative The I&MWG are currently providing feedback on the Yellow Book extracts and will prepare a proposed rewrite of these sections for the Procurement of Ground Investigation Working Group to review at their next meeting. The I&MWG have also been asked to give examples of their experience of using NEC Forms of Contract for Ground Investigation and to provide feedback regarding procurement processes.
Developing a link with the Geotechnical Asset Owners Forum (GAOF) The I&MWG are looking to develop a link with the Geotechnical Asset Owners Forum (GAOF). A request has been received for the I&MWG to give a presentation to a future meeting of the Geotechnical Asset Owners Forum, with a view to active participation in the work of GAOF and also GAOF having representation on the I&MWG. We are always keen to welcome new members into the Instrumentation & Monitoring Working Group and so for those interested in the governance of the AGS and wish to know how you can contribute to the IMWG, please contact the AGS Secretariat at ags@ags.org.uk.
EVERYTHING YOU NEED FOR GEOTECHNICAL ANALYSIS
THE ROCSCIENCE SLOPE STABILITY SUITE
Slide2
Slide3
RS2
RS3
Settle3
RSPile
RocFall
SWedge
To learn more about our upcoming workshops and free program trials, get in touch with our UK rep Dr. Ian Williams at ian.williams@rocscience.com
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Industry Events Calendar 22
Magazine
November 2020
February 2021
9-12th November 2020 – New Civil Engineer Future of Transport
26th February 2021 – The New Civil Engineer Awards
11th November 2020 - CIRIA SI Hub - Remote Monitoring Webinar
March 2021
11-12th November 2020 – Environment Analyst Planning & Regeneration Conference 18th-19th November 2020 – Environmental Protection UK - Environmental Challenges in 2021 - what we can do 19th November 2020 – Brownfield Awards 2020 19th November 2020 – New Civil Engineer – Future of Floods 25th November 2020 – AGSi Webinar December 2020 2nd December 2020 - SoBRA Winter Conference and AGM 2-3rd December 2020 – Environment Analyst Waste Management Conference 8th December 2020 – AGS 4.1 Webinar
17th March 2021 – BGA Rankine Lecture 25-26th March 2021 – BGA Piling 2020 Conference April 2021 21st April / 28th April 2021 – BDA – What are the risks of rising complacency about geotechnics (Glasgow) July 2021 7th & 8th July 2021 - Geotechnical 2021: The UK’s Premier Geotechncial Conference and Exhibition September 2021 22nd September 2021 – AGS Data Format Conference
15th December 2020 – New Civil Engineer – Tunnelling Festival 2020 November 2020
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Training Courses
Resumed Training: Specialist Geotechnical Courses Equipe Training are delighted to confirm that their specialist geotechnical training courses are returning to be delivered in person at our dedicated training facility just outside of Banbury, Oxfordshire. The courses will be operating with limited places to ensure social distancing. Available upcoming dates are provided below: •
9th December 2020 - Professor David Norbury’s Soil Description Workshop
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10th December 2020 - Professor David Norbury’s Rock Description Workshop
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11th November 2020 - Earthworks Design and Construction (Online Course)
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19th November 2020 - Geotechnical Foundation Design (Online Course)
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18th November 2020 - Slope Stability Design (Online Course)
Places on these courses can be booked online here, or via contacting Equipe on +44 (0)1295 670990 or info@equipegroup.com
Resumed Training: Specialist Geotechnical Heath and Safety Courses 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: • 10th - 11th November 2020 (Online Course) - IOSH Safe Supervision of Geotechnical Sites • 11th December 2020 - 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
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How to become a Member of the AGS AGS Members all share a commitment to quality in the geotechnical and geoenvironmental industry. This has become widely recognised by clients, governmental bodies and other associations that touch issues to do with the ground. 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 Tuesday 29th December 2020.
AGS Chemical and Legal Helplines All Members of the Association of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Specialists are entitled to free chemical and contractual advice through the use of Loss Prevention Committee Members, Marquis & Lord and Beale & Co. For advice on chemical safety and best practice, Marquis & Lord will provide 30 minutes of free advice to all AGS Members. Additionally, if you’re an AGS Member and are looking for legal advice, please contact Beale & Co and ask quote ‘AGS Helpline’ where the first 15 minutes of legal advice will be free of charge. CHEMICAL SAFETY HELPLINE Marquis & Lord Tel: +44 (0) 121 288 2386 www.marquisandlord.com
LEGAL HELPLINE (Please quote Beale & Co ‘AGS Helpline’) Tel: +44 (0) 20 7469 0400 www.beale-law.com
Member Reporting Service for Industry Issues If you have any queries regarding AGS Data Format, there is a discussion forum on the AGS Data Format website, where queries can be posted and answered by the Data Format team. If a Member has any issues with regard to Safety, Contaminated Land, Geotechnical, Instrumentation & Monitoring or Laboratories which you think the industry should be aware of please email ags@ags.org.uk, we will then forward your email to the relevant AGS Working Group.
Disclaimer These articles are the opinions of the authors and are not intended to be a complete or comprehensive statement of the law, nor do they constitute legal or specialist advice. They are intended only to highlight current issues from date of publication that may be of interest. Neither the writer, nor the AGS, assumes any responsibility for any loss that may arise from accessing, or reliance on the material and all liability is disclaimed accordingly. Professional advice should be taken before applying the content of the articles to particular circumstances.
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Advertising and Rates An online advertising campaign within the AGS Magazine will help to build and increase industry awareness of your company’s profile, initiatives and offerings. The AGS can help build a package to suit your needs and budget; whether it’s a series of adverts across multiple issues, a combination of event sponsorship and advertising, or a single advertorial. How to Advertise in the AGS Magazine The AGS Magazine is a free email publication that looks at a range of topical issues, insights and concerns, whilst publishing new guidance notes, working group activities and information on upcoming industry seminars. With 10 issues each year, our subscribers include industry professionals such as practitioners, chartered specialists, senior decision makers and managing directors To receive a media pack or to discuss advertising rates, please contact Caroline Kratz on 0208 658 8212 or email ags@ags.org.uk
Adversiting Requirements
Advert Sizes and Rates
All adverts should be sent in a PDF, PNG, JPEG, TIFF, PSD (Photoshop) or EPS (Illustrator) format.
FULL PAGE W: 210mm H: 297mm RATE: £400 HALF PAGE W: 210mm H: 145mm RATE: £250 QUARTER PAGE
COMPANY NAME ADDRESS CONTACT NUMBER EMAIL
W: 105mm H: 145mm RATE: £160
LOGO
DIRECTORY Company name, address, contact number, email and one logo.
RATE: £50
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All advertising artwork must be supplied in 114 dpi resolution.
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Artwork must be delivered to the AGS using the agreed artwork specification size listed left. Artwork should be emailed to ags@ags.org. uk no later than 10 days prior to publication.
Directory Geosense Ltd
Senceive
Nova House, Rougham Industrial Estate, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, IP30 9ND
7b/7c Imperial Studios, Imperial Road, Fulham, London, SW6 2AG
+44 (0) 1359 270457 sales@geosense.co.uk
+44 (0)20 7731 8269 info@senceive.com
Measurand 2111 Hanwell Rd, Fredericton, NB Canada E3C 1M7 1 (506) 462-9119 sales@measurand.com
AGS Dates for Your Diary Exchange of ground model and interpreted data - Introducing AGSi
Striding into the future with AGS 4.1
Online Webinar
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Time: 11am Date: Wednesday 25th November Duration: 1 hour and 30 minutes Cost: Free of charge Sponsorship: Diamond and Gold packages available
For more information, contact ags@ags.org.uk
Online Webinar Time: 11am Date: Tuesday 8th December 2020 Duration: 1 hour and 30 minutes Cost: Free of charge Sponsorship: Gold packages available
For more information, contact ags@ags.org.uk Or visit https://www.ags.org.uk/item/stridinginto-the-future-with-ags-4-1/
Or visit https://www.ags.org.uk/item/ exchange-of-ground-model-and-interpreteddata-introducing-agsi/
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