The second AGS Geotechnical Working Group meeting of 2018 took place on 20th April and the Geotechnical Stand-In Leader, Stephen West of Ramboll, has provided an update on the top three current issues the Geotechnical Working Group are discussing.

Improving design and execution quality of Ground Investigation
The Geotechnical Working Group are looking to improve the design and executive quality of Ground Investigation. The group are currently reaching out to client bodies to inform a short term sub-group on this issue. This issue is an important issue to the AGS as technical quality of investigation has been identified as one of the key risks in the industry and decisions made based on poor quality information generally result in a poor value project. The impact of this issue on the Members of the AGS include reduced profitability, higher insurance premiums and more time spent on defence of claims. The Geotechnical Working Group are hoping to encourage improvements in Ground Investigation design quality.

Enhancing appreciation of geotechnical issues in the construction industry supply chain
The second issue that the Geotechnical Working Group are reviewing is enhancing appreciation of geotechnical issues in the construction industry supply chain. The group are looking to generate advice notes for non-geotechnical engineering groups and engaging with bodies such as ISTRUCTE, RIBA, and NHBC etc. The group believe this issue is important to the AGS are raising the reputation and important of geotechnical across the construction supply chain will help encourage more new blood into AGS Member organisations. The impact of this issue on Members of the AGS is the reduced pool of suitable recruits to meet needs for industry growth. The group are looking to improve this issue by engaging with non-ground engineering focused industry organisations.

Ensuring Eurocode 7 update considers working practice experience
The third issue that the Geotechnical Working Group are working on is ensuring that the Eurocode 7 Update considers working practice experience. Members of the Geotechnical Working Group have been tasked with the reviewing and providing feedback on key sections of Eurocode 7.

Additional Topics being discussed by the Geotechnical Working Group
There is a great deal of interest in this year’s AGS Ground Risk Conference which is being held on 12th September 2018 at the Cavendish Conference Centre in London. This is seen as being a great opportunity to help encourage change.
The issue of the use of trial pit infiltration tests has been discussed a lot. From a technical perspective, this is seen as a questionable test driven by local authorities as opposed to actual ground parameter testing and a better way should be sought.

This update was featured in the May/June issue of the AGS Magazine which can be viewed here.