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Data, Technology and Engineering Geology – What does the future hold?

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State of play

Figure 1 – Overview of the Engineering Geology Life Cycle and data collected throughout

As it stands the engineering geology life cycle (Figure 1) feels a bit disconnected, especially when it comes to passing data through each phase of the project. This leads to data being lost at each stage of the cycle and ultimately the project never benefiting from all the potential information available (Figure 2). This is somewhat understandable given the number of different parties involved in the collection, processing and interpretation of data and each party focused on different phases of the life cycle. However, this should not be used as an excuse. The lack of technological advancements across the construction industry has also left us lagging behind other sectors of the economy (Figure 3).

Figure 2 – Schematic of the current and potential journey of information through the different phases of a typical engineering geology project

Figure 3 – Productivity of the construction industry compared with services, manufacturing and the whole economy.

Source: Taken from McKinsey Global Institute (2017)

The creation of the AGS data format in 1991 was a significant step to improving data transfer in the ground engineering industry. However, there have been limited further strides forward since then and we are approaching the 30-year anniversary since its introduction. So, what is the solution?

Data at the centre

Figure 4 – The engineering life cycle with data at the centre

Firstly, we must put data at the centre of the engineering geology life cycle (Figure 4) and map out how data will move through the life cycle and the supply chain. By doing this we ensure data is transferred in the most efficient way possible. This must happen right at the start of the project.

The emergence of the Common Data Environment (CDE) facilitates this. The CDE is not new but its application is still limited to a select number of projects, despite the obvious benefits. For one, it provides a single source of truth that all parties can trust in. This is essential for large infrastructure projects such as HS2, Heathrow and Thames Tideway that have tens of thousands of documents across multiple disciplines.  A CDE combined with a clear workflow also encourages collaboration and early sharing of information allowing engineering geologists and designers to make more informed decisions earlier in the project life cycle. For this to work we must also ensure there is interoperability between software and a well-defined data taxonomy is agreed across the industry (i.e. an AGS approach across the whole life cycle).

Where can technology assist?

It is important that any new technology has a clear tangible benefit. This might be increasing the accuracy of analysis, providing new data, improving efficiency of a task, facilitating better communication between the supply chain or improving safety. By identifying this ‘added value’ at the start of the project and reviewing it throughout ensures that technology is not used just for the sake of using it – something that potentially risks undermining the technology that will assist.

Figure 5 – Snapshot of Leapfrog model of Thames Tideway East shaft created to help visualize how potential fractures intersect with the shaft

Technologies that are already showing ‘added value’ include:

  1. Drones – Benefits include surveying large areas quickly, accessing places that are too dangerous for humans to access and ability to generate ‘intelligent’ 3D models of sites that open the door to ‘unlimited’ site visits;
  2. 3D Ground Modelling – Allows better visualisation of ground related risks to help ground engineers make more informed decisions. It also acts as a powerful communication tool to communicate ground risks to clients and other stakeholders (Figure 5); and
  3. Smart Infrastructure – Enables real-time asset data to be obtained that can assist design verification, early identification of potential problems and a predictive maintenance approach.

Artificial intelligence (AI) also has huge potential to assist the ground engineering industry. Yes, the ground is notoriously unpredictable making it difficult for AI to make reliable predictions on ground conditions or parameters. But based on historic data, AI could produce generative models that ground engineers could test and revise following targeted ground investigations.

Challenges

We should not shy away from the fact that embracing technology will bring its own challenges.

Four of the key challenges are:

  1. Upskilling of the industry;
  2. Validation of new software;
  3. Industry standards; and
  4. Industry culture.

Firstly, we must ensure that people are adequately trained in any new software tools and processes that are available (e.g. borehole logging using tablets). This is no easy task and ignites the debate as to whether the training responsibility lies with the industry or university. What is for sure though is that without the necessary skills to use and interpret the results from new technology we won’t be able to achieve nearly as much as we could. Geologists must also not forget their core skills of critical thinking and interpreting the subsurface.

Secondly, we must ensure new technology is robust and can be trusted. It is very easy to produce an all singing and dancing 3D model, but it must also make geological sense. Professor Fookes hinted at this in the First Glossop Lecture where he stated, “Technical innovation must stand the test of time in order to prove its worth”. We must also ensure that new processes and technology are also incorporated into existing industry standards or if required new standards developed.

The most difficult challenge of all, is the cultural transformation of the industry. Currently the value of data is not well enough understood, particularly among clients. As it is the clients who hold the purse strings, it is them who can lead the transformation. But it is equally the job of designers and contractors to share success stories and highlight the benefits that technology and effective information management can bring. This is particularly important if benefits are not realised until further down the asset life cycle. It is also crucial that the whole supply chain is singing off the same hymn sheet.

Where do we go from here?

Whether it is providing additional tools to better equip the ground engineer or creating cost savings for the client, the benefits of embracing  new technologies and effective information management are clear. What we must do is to be better at sharing these benefits and success stories, particularly with clients.

Yes, there will be challenges along the way, particularly winning the hearts and minds of everyone in the industry but these are worth overcoming. We must remember that new technologies should make the life of an engineering geologist easier, not harder and allow us to focus on what we do best – critical thinking and interpreting the ground. It is important that these core skills are not sacrificed as these are things that technology cannot replace.

Article provided by Jonny Neville, Information Manager & Engineering Geologist at Mott MacDonald

Acknowledgements

  • Costain, Vinci, Bachy (CVB) JV for allowing the inclusion of a snapshot of a Thames Tideway East shaft Leapfrog model.

Further reading

BIM model-based design delivery: Tideway East, England, UK. In Schooling, J. and Soga, K. (ed) Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers – Smart Infrastructure and Construction, ICE Publishing, 170(3), 50-58.

Bolton, A., Butler, L., Dabson, I., Enzer, M., Evans, M., Fenemore, T., Harradence, F., et al. (2018). Gemini Principles. (CDBB_REP_006)https://doi.org/10.17863/CAM.32260.

Gakis, A., Cabrero, P., Entwisle, D. and Kessler, H. 3D geological model of the completed Farringdon underground railway station. In: Black, M, Dodge, C and Lawrence, U. (ed) Crossrail Project: Infrastructure design and construction, ICE Publishing, London, 632pp.

Network Rail. 2018. Earthworks Technical Strategy, 67pp.

McKinsey Global Institute. Reininventing Construction: A Route to Higher Productivity. February 2017.

Schwab, K. and Davis, N. Shaping the Fourth Industrial Revolution. World Economic Forum. 289pp.

Farmer, M. 2016. The Farmer Review of the UK Construction Labour Model.

Construction Leadership Council (CLC). 76pp.

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SiLC, SQP and NQMS Update: Spring 2019

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There are now 196 registered SiLCs. The current round of examinations (2019a) has 13 candidates and the previous round (2018b) had 14 candidates. This is somewhat more than the numbers in previous years and indicates that the register is growing and has become a recognised body of professionals who have demonstrated their capability and experience in the brownfield sector. SiLC are the awarding body for the registration of SQPs under the National Quality Mark Scheme (NQMS) and there are currently 97 SQPs.

This obviously indicates that not all SiLCs have taken the online conversion course and exam to become an SQP. You have already demonstrated your capability in order to become a SiLC. The online exam is not intended to retest this but instead is there to ensure you have the additional knowledge to be an SQP. All the information you need is in the slides that form part of the online conversion course.  You have a relatively short step to becoming an SQP.

Most of us have an interest in achieving high standards in the products we deliver to our clients and the services we provide and therefore should be using whatever means are available to us to demonstrate this high standard. The NQMS can do this. Quite a number of clients are reported to be asking for Declarations to be submitted under the NQMS, ie signed off by an SQP. However, it is acknowledged that more publicity of the scheme is needed so that the NQMS becomes more recognised with respect to its benefits. SQPs explaining the benefits of the scheme to their clients will help this.

A number of local authorities are now signposting the NQMS. A selection is presented below;

Staffordshire Local Authorities (9 local authorities) reference NQMS in their developers guide regarding competent people:

https://www.newcastle-staffs.gov.uk/sites/default/files/IMCE/Environment/EnvProc/Developers_Guide_2017.pdf

Herts & Bedfordshire and Neighbouring Authorities Contaminated Land Forum (17 local authorities) reference NQMS in their guidance regarding competent people:

https://www.hertsmere.gov.uk/Documents/04-Environment-Refuse–Recycling/Environmental-Health/Pollution-Control/Herts-and-beds-guidance-revision-2018.pdf

Worcestershire Regulatory Services reference NQMS – WRS recommend SQP appointment for expediency purposes:

http://www.worcsregservices.gov.uk/media/3261881/WRS-technical-guidance-document-for-Planning-V4.pdf

Tunbridge Wells Borough Local Plan – Contaminated Land Supplementary Planning Document – supports the NQMS for land affected by contamination as a desirable component of any work undertaken to deal with land contamination:

http://www.tunbridgewells.gov.uk/data/assets/pdf_file/0020/131708/03_Contaminated-Land-SPD_adopted-Sep-2016.pdf

One other local authority has stated that “On receipt of a report with the NQMS mark we would hope to find the review of the report to be straightforward and be able to determine it as acceptable ideally without any queries at all”. However, they go on to say that they “will not take the view that this scheme is a means to streamlining the satisfaction of conditions to the point at which a submitted report is accepted without conditions”. It should be pointed out that this is not the aim of the NQMS. Instead it is intended to raise standards and produce a quality that local authorities can rely on to enable them to utilise their resources as they think appropriate. It is hoped that many more local authorities will see the advantage to them of signposting to the NQMS.

As many will know, the Environment Agency have endorsed the scheme and the following give an indication of standard advice on planning application responses suggesting that the NQMS is used:

https://www.stalbans.gov.uk/Images/126892_tcm15-64412.pdf

http://www.boston.gov.uk/PlanningDocs/BBC/B-16-0282-CD1/EA_response_B_16_0282_CD1.pdf

http://www.planningservices.haringey.gov.uk/portal/servlets/AttachmentShowServlet?ImageName=1051250

https://infrastructure.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/wp-content/ipc/uploads/projects/TR010036/TR010036-000371-Environment%20Agency%20Letter%20-%2018.10.18.pdf

SiLC Affiliate Scheme      

Becoming chartered is a prerequisite to applying for SiLC Registration. Thus, those that have a specific interest in the brownfield sector and are looking to progress their careers in this direction need to plan for both becoming a full member of their chosen institution as well as becoming a SiLC. To facilitate this, the SiLC Affiliate Scheme has been launched and details are on the SiLC website (www.silc.org.uk) where there is an application guide and an application form. As indicated in the July-August 2018 edition of the AGS eMagazine, the scheme is of interest to graduates and those who have already progressed their careers beyond graduation but not yet become chartered, to work towards full membership and chartered status of a professional body with the assistance of a professional body adviser, and then progress towards SiLC/SQP registration with the assistance of a SiLC mentor. The scheme can be entered at any level. The aim is to provide an integrated process for those on the scheme with clear objectives utilising the Brownfield Skills Development Framework and an early understanding of the purpose and benefits including CPD, the NQMS and the role of an SQP.

Members of the scheme will be designated as SiLC Affiliates, each with a SiLC Affiliate number, thereby demonstrating an individual’s commitment to becoming chartered and, in due course, a SiLC. The annual membership cost of the SiLC Affiliate Scheme is £50 plus VAT and includes 20% discount on the attendance fee for the SiLC Annual Forum.

Development Programme

List of qualifying professional bodies

CIEH            – Chartered Institute of Environmental Health

CIWEM        – Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management

GS                – Geological Society

IEMA            – Institute of Environmental Management & Assessment

ICE               – Institution of Civil Engineers

RSC             – Royal Society of Chemistry

Scheme also supported by

AGS             – Association of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Specialists

If you, or someone you know, think you may be interested in this scheme then ‘check out’ the details on the SiLC website and, if you like what you see, join the scheme.

Article provided by Roger Clark, Director at Marlowclark Consulting Limited

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Q&A with Jim Cook

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Full Name: Eur Ing Jim Cook BSc, MSc, C Eng, C Geol, FICE, FGS

Job Title: Director

Company: Geotechnical Services Bureau Ltd

I am a both a chartered civil engineer and a chartered geologist and have worked in the geotechnical industry for over forty years both as a specialist contractor and a geotechnical consultant. I am experienced in most of the facets of geotechnical engineering including site investigation, foundation construction and geotechnical design for many different types of structures and buildings. I have substantial overseas experience particularly the Gulf States, West and East Africa, India, Sri Lanka and Hong Kong. In recent years, I have been involved in major geotechnical design and construction assignments in USA and the Caribbean.

What or who inspired you to join the geotechnical industry?

I was initially indentured as a civil engineer with a local authority in London and undertook part time education at Westminster College. After a couple of years, I joined a major civil engineering contractor, Costain, and was immediately seconded to their geotechnical company, Foundation Engineering Ltd, who undertook most forms of geotechnical engineering including site investigation, foundation construction and geotechnical design. It was with this company that I was trained in all aspects of geotechnical construction and foundation design.

What inspired me into geotechnics initially  was the lifestyle of a young engineer travelling all over the UK and working on different sites. My recollection of a structural engineering lecturer stating that “he could design a concrete and steel structure to perform as required as both had man-made  stiffnesses but a geotechnical engineer who has to deal with the ground which has no guaranteed stiffness or behaviour has major issues”. This wetted my appetite for the challenges of ground engineering.

As a young geotechnical engineer I was given responsibility to manage teams of drillers, grouters, anchorers and pilers on site and learn the “how to do” of the geotechnical contracting industry. It is from these experiences that I owe my wealth of foundation construction knowledge.

I was fortunate to work with and be guided by some of the “leading lights” in the ground engineering industry such as John Jennings, Stanley Serota and in particular Roy Wakeling.

With regards to academics, I clearly remember meeting Professor A W Bishop to find out how the Bishop Sand Sampler worked. Professor P Fookes also inadvertently raised my keen interest in geology. Professor Noel Simons of Surrey University was my key mentor who helped to further develop and enhance my geotechnical design expertise to match that of geotechnical construction, this is how I became an all-round geotechnical engineer.

What does a typical day entail?

A typical day nowadays starts with reviewing overnight emails and dealing with one or some of the following matters which may require desk studies, site visits and collaborative meetings.

  • Litigation type matters. Sometimes these can between a specialist contractor and a main contractor or an owner and contractor but all involve some aspect of ground engineering.
  • Design and Peer reviews for other consulting engineers or contractors.
  • Optioneering reviews to develop the best foundation solution at concept stage and taking this through to construction.
  • Training of young civil engineers, particularly in the areas of geotechnical and geological risk.
  • Undertaking “pro-bono” work for RoGEP, AGS or Ground Forum.

Are there any projects which you’re particularly proud to have been a part of?

I am particularly proud of returning to my “roots” in London, I was involved in the Thames Barrier as a young geotechnical engineer some 40 years ago and since then have worked as a geotechnical engineer in over 30 countries on many significant projects. But I was extremely pleased to lead the Buro Happold ground engineering team that worked on the Lower Lea Valley proposal for the UK Olympic bid which then won and became the 2012 London Olympics.

In addition, I was involved at a senior level on the Arsenal Stadium, London Olympic Stadium, the refurbishment of The Cutty Sark and Emirates Cable Car which crosses the River Thames at the O2. These all posed tricky geotechnical issues which required some form of innovation. I consider that I have put something positive back into my “roots”.

Overseas I am quite proud of the basement structure which was about 18m deep with a footprint of approximately 22,500 square meters which was designed and constructed for Harvard University in Boston USA. This was arguably the largest single basement structure to be constructed on the East Coast of the USA. The ground conditions comprised Boston Blue Clay over gravel then rock close to the Charles River which, presented major challenges that were met by using European sophisticated ground investigation techniques and high quality laboratory testing provided by Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

What are the most challenging aspects of your role?

The challenges of today are quite modest compared to managing a multi-million pound geotechnical consultancy or geotechnical contracting company both of which I have been fortunate to manage. The challenges were and probably still are getting young people interested into geotechnical engineering, finding well educated graduates and training them to become innovative ground engineers.

What AGS Working Group(s) are you a Member of and what are your current focuses?

I am a member of the Senate and focus on membership issues.

I have been a long serving Treasurer and also Chairman of the AGS and was instrumental in the conception of the AGS and have over 20 years of active participation.

What do you enjoy most about being an AGS Member?

I suppose what I enjoy is the comradery which its membership provides and more so the fact that the ethos is all about raising the profile and standards in ground engineering in the UK.

What do you find beneficial about being an AGS Member?

The benefits are not only the wealth of publications that are produced which are extremely informative, and also provide sound risk advice. There is also inputting into a collaborative view on where the industry is going.

Why do you feel the AGS is important to the industry?

The AGS is now probably the major voice of the ground engineering industry and punches above its weight with clients and local authorities. It provides regular support to those business institutions such as BSi, HSE and other government agencies.

What changes would you like to see implemented in the geotechnical industry?

I would like to see more collaborative efforts from industry, academics, institutions, local authorities and government departments. Some of these organisations are still somewhat disconnected. Ground Forum continues to develop the above linkages, and I wish them well in their endeavours.

There are still many so called “engineers” offering clients ground engineering services outside of their skill and experience base.

I would like to see all ground engineering practioners becoming RoGEP registered as this will raise them to a higher level of recognition and enhance the clients’ ability to select a competent and suitably experienced ground engineer for their project.

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BS 8485:2015+A1:2019

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In response to comments from industry, the working group for BS8485 have updated and released the following which can now be ordered or downloaded from BSI. Please note that this is a technical reference, can be normative and the most current version should be that cited in reports.

BS 8485:2015+A1:2019 Code of practice for the design of protective measures for methane and carbon dioxide ground gases for new buildings describes how to characterise sites and prevent the entry of toxic, asphyxiating or explosive ground gases. This 2019 amendment changes and clarifies:

  • The minimum gas protection points required for Buildings Type B, C and D on High and Very High gas hazard sites.
  • The assignment of gas protection points for the structural barrier for basements.
  • The criteria for membranes that can be assigned 2 gas protection points when used as a gas resistant membrane.
  • The membrane thickness test method applicable to the guidance in the code of practice.

Other industry guidance exists but none provides the same clarity on remedial solution selection.

This standard also helps you comply with Building Regulations Approved Document C: Site preparation and resistance to contaminants and moisture.

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AGS Safety Working Group Update

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The first AGS Safety Working Group meeting of 2019 took place on Wednesday 23rd January 2019 and the Leader of the AGS Safety Working Group, Adam Latimer of Ian Farmer Associates, has provided an update on the top issues the Safety Working Group are currently discussing.

AGS Health & Safety Conference – 21st November 2019

The AGS will be holding a conference on Health, Safety & Environmental topics on 21st November 2019 at the National Motorcycle Museum, Birmingham. The conference will include key note speakers and break-out workshops. The speaker line-up will be announced in the AGS Magazine and on the AGS website in due course. Details of the sponsorship packages can be viewed on the AGS website.

New and Updated Health and Safety Guidance

The Safety Working Group have recently published a number of guidance documents including Guidance on Slope Climbing Rigs, Manual Handling and Unexploded Ordnance. The Safety Working Group are also progressing with guidance documents on track mats and tracked plant, the H&S Risk Assessment for Ground Investigation and minimum levels of training and competence. There are plans to develop a range of topics centred around health and well-being. The creation of bespoke and clear guidance for ground engineers is a key aim of the Safety Working Group. H&S legislation can be a mine field to navigate and these concise and succinct publications offer some clarity for our members. Compliance with Health & Safety legislation is of critical importance in everything our members do and as such the AGS offers our members free and unbiased guidance on the main issues affecting our industry. AGS Guidance can be downloaded from the AGS website.

AGS Safety Articles

The AGS Safety Working Group are working to produce a number of articles on trial pitting, PAS 128 (now published), track plant, occupational health and heat stress for future issues of the AGS Magazine. Despite the guidance being free to download from the website, the AGS magazine offers an invaluable mechanism to promote the work of the AGS SWG and provide the guidance to a wider audience. The AGS is always looking at ways to raise awareness within our industry and up-to-date guidance and magazine articles are an excellent vehicle to convey our message. The AGS continues to work collaboratively with all our members and other trade association groups to improve our industry.

Possibility of a Health, Safety and Environment Awareness Workshop to Undergraduates

The AGS Safety Working Group are in the early stages of investigating the possibility of a Health, Safety and Environmental Awareness Workshop to Undergraduates. Work is ongoing to establish the current level of understanding on university geosciences courses and whether a workshop would be beneficial.

Feedback

The Safety Working Group always welcomes new members and any feedback from the membership on hot topics that they wish to raise and encourage, any near misses and incidents to be shared to the wider industry, so we can strive to making our industry safer. Please send any feedback to ags@ags.org.uk.

 

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AGS Helplines

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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

Beale & Co

Telephone: +44 (0) 20 7469 0400 (Please quote ‘AGS Helpline’)

www.beale-law.com

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.

For all other queries, please email ags@ags.org.uk, we will then forward your email to the relevant AGS Working Group.

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Standards and Professionalism

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Tags: Featured SiLC

I will try to limit this essay to Standards and Professionalism as they relate to the work undertaken, day-to-day by SiLCs and other practitioners in related fields. These standards are, by and large, common to all professions and are the backbone to their historical and continuing success.

The reader may be a fresh graduate starting out, or they may be a person with several degrees, chartered, at director level who has been working for years, or somewhere in between. The critical common factors are agreed norms which must be maintained and improved, throughout our careers. These are the Standards and Professionalism I am promoting.

In public life we often hear about standards when they are flouted or transgressed in some manner. We read headlines such as – “Trading Standards prosecute shop owner”, “Negligence case raised because some organisation ignored the latest guidance”, “Staff suspended for breaches of codes of conduct”, etc. Is it that things are getting worse in the “post-truth” world of lies and fake news? Where even reliance on experts (that’s you and I dear reader) was made suspect even by the fickle Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. What is happening the rest of the time when we have no shock headlines, and all seems fine with the world? The answer; standards work!

In order to provide common ground for discussion, a web-search provided me with definitions of Standards which might reasonably be distilled thus: “A standard is an agreed way of doing something. It could be about making a product, managing a process, delivering a service or supplying materials – standards can cover a huge range of activities undertaken by organizations and used by their customers.” In more specific terms a standard is something a person or organisation SHALL or MUST do; it is not optional. This is akin to a Statute or Law. Failure to comply could have serious repercussions. It could mean some form of disciplinary process, maybe being “struck off” or actual criminal prosecution if human life, the environment, property, etc. is put in jeopardy.

Defining Professionalism is trickier but yields the following salient items:
1. Specialised Knowledge. Professionals are known for their knowledge in a specified field;
2. Competent. Professionals get the job done;
3. Honesty, Integrity, Accountability, Self-Regulation;
4. Building Expertise; and
5. Developing Emotional Intelligence (self-awareness, self-management, motivation and empathy).

Having a relevant degree from a recognised university is a reasonable starting point covering Item 1 on the list – then what? Experience and the actual practice of those skills in the field, office, and through interaction with colleagues, contractors and clients will help to develop Item 2.

Many of us will have learned, from our parents and family, and peers, a strong sense of honesty and fairness which has carried us successfully through our lives with a solid set of moral and ethical values. However, in professional life these need to be written down to provide common benchmarks by which we are all judged. These will cover us for Item 3.
What about building on your expertise and developing the emotional and mental strength to exercise these skills? An excellent way to do this is to join like-minded individuals to develop common goals, standards of behaviour and engagement – if only there was something like that? Well of course there is.
I recommend that ALL professionals in all fields pursue chartership as a minimum. Your choice of chartered organisation may be governed by your degree, your job, your employer, etc. By joining such an organisation (you can join more than one if you are very keen), you will be welcomed into a fold including seasoned professionals, novices and people in between – people like you. You will have access to direct help (sponsors and mentors), resources (libraries, standard documents, codes of practice) and lots of advice on how to keep your skills relevant and how to approach various tasks and ways of working. This all goes towards your own continuing professional development (CPD) – Item 4.

This will help create a sensible balance between doing what our client expects and keeping within the standards. This has a bearing on Emotional Intelligence (Item 5) which is considered by many to be essential in respect of career growth, rather than only relying on Items 1 to 4. Humans have an innate drive for acceptance and a need to please others. Professional relationships can become one sided or stressed; there is a risk of falling foul of stepping over the professional line and offerring advice which is what we believe the client wants to hear and not what they need to hear. This points back to diligence, honesty, impartiality and most of all integrity. Professionals MUST be willing, in fact, are honour bound, to deliver bad news when necessary and say “no” to a client at times when the client would prefer a “yes”. In recognition of such rare stresses, with proper and due acknowledgement of mental health issues, chartered organisations provide support and advice in a caring and supportive manner.

This essay is just a taster to spark discussion and hopefully inspire you to become a better professional. Once you embark on a professional career the journey does not end with chartership; that really marks the start of your professional life. You may consider going beyond chartership and consider becoming a SiLC, to improve your professional standing. Ultimately, you only get out what you are willing to put in. The rewards and enjoyment you receive will be well worth it.

Article contributed by James Nelson, Associate Director of Discovery CE Limited on behalf of SiLC

Article Safety

PAS 128 – The Essentials

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PAS 128 – what is it? Is it simply as a way standardising utility surveys or is it an attempt to minimise health and safety risks associated with any form of intrusive groundwork? First of all – despite it being published by BSI – it is not a British Standard as we usually know it, but rather a specification for the mapping of underground utilities. Therefore, in following the standard the user can demonstrate they have followed a logical and consistent approach to gathering and recording the data, but cannot demonstrate that the approach adopted is the right one for their particular circumstances. That said, PAS 128 does state that one of its purposes is to seek to raise the quality and reliability of such surveys. Crucially Section 0.3 states ”TSA level 3 – EML only survey – is deliberately not accounted for and not included as a detection method because this PAS is looking to raise the standard of detection so that in all cases a minimum of two detection techniques – ground penetrating radar (GPR) and electromagnetic location (EML) – are used.” Clearly therefore the use of a Cable Avoidance Tool (using EML) on its own, a mainstay of buried service avoidance for ground investigation in the past, is not deemed to be adequate for detection purposes. Where EML is used it should be noted that use of a Cable Avoidance Tool in conjunction with a signal generator (Genny) will often increase the reliability and capability of this technique.

PAS 128:2014 ‘Specification for underground utility detection, verification and location’, to give it its full title, identifies four types of utility survey ranging in a hierarchy from Type D to Type A with the latter providing the most detail and highest level of confidence in the position of the utilities. Generally one type will follow the previous with Survey Type D being a precursor to Type C and so on. However, as the document does not specify which type of survey or level of confidence is appropriate for any given situation, it is therefore of little comfort to know that buried utilities searches have been ‘carried out in accordance with PAS 128’ unless the type of Survey used is appropriate to the situation in hand. However that is not to say that the type of survey adopted is optional as PAS128 does state that this should be decided on a case by case basis with all parties, based on the level of risk at a certain location.
In PAS 128 a Type D (Desktop) survey is essentially a desk based one. This would often be appropriate at the ground investigation planning stage and might form part of the CDM Designer’s Risk Assessment – to simply locate exploratory holes away from the recorded location of buried services.

The successive levels of Survey Type C through to Type A require increasing levels of effort and therefore expense. The next level, a Type C (‘Reconnaissance’) survey, would involve a site walkover such that existing records are supported and validated by the visual inspection of physical evidence observed. In the context of ground investigation, it makes sense for this next level of survey to form part of the planning/design stage so that the exploratory hole positions and designer’s risk assessment can be updated accordingly.
A Type B (Detection) survey is probably the minimum level that is appropriate to most ground investigation work whether specified by the client/consultant or not. It involves the use of geophysical techniques to detect buried services and PAS 128 suggests that the primary techniques to be used are EML (Electro-Magnetic Locating) and GPR (Ground penetrating Radar). The EML technique is most commonly manifested using a CAT (Cable Avoidance Tool) various models of which offer varying levels of accuracy and sophistication. The guidance recommends that more than one geophysical technique should always be used. Note 4 of the PAS states that “No detection technique can detect every type of underground utility in every location” and hence the possibility of undetected services being present must be recognised even when multiple geophysical techniques are adopted. In the context of ground investigation contractors often request an ‘underground utility clearance’. However the limitations of detection surveys should be recognised.

Furthermore it is worth noting that there are different quality levels within the survey types based on level of accuracy possible. Due to ground conditions / depths of services different quality levels are obtained. For example a Type B survey, a B2 quality level reflects an accuracy 250mm or 40% of detected depth, whereas a B1 quality is 150mm or 15% detected depth. However in the context of ground investigation the precise location and depth is only important in so far as this helps to prevent damage occurring during the investigation process.
Clearly, where services are present, the only way to get 100% confidence of a service type, location and depth is to physically expose the service – known as a Type A (Verification) survey. Of course such a survey, by its invasive nature, carries its own risks in terms of hitting and damaging buried services. Hand digging with uninsulated tools or with damaged insulation can be hazardous and alternatives like vacuum extraction can be relatively expensive. Vacuum extraction may not be practical and in any case does carry its own risks.
Generally the approach to the investigation of buried services should follow the guidance in HSG47 (2014) 3rd edition. Crucially HSG47 described the process as comprising 3 stages (1) planning the work, (2) locating and identifying buried services and (3) safe excavation. You will note the emphasis in HSG47 is one of locating services, not simply trying to establish the absence of services as is often the approach taken in ground investigation, due to financial constraints or otherwise.

Physically verifying every service may not always be appropriate in the context of GI works – however there will always remain uncertainty over the location of any buried service which has not been subject to verification. In order to reduce the risk as low as reasonably practicable with regard to avoiding danger from underground services, designers should carefully consider specifying as a minimum a Type B PAS 128 survey as part of the GI. In many cases an ‘avoidance’ approach may be deemed to be adequate. However for critical services, for example medium/high pressure gas mains, it is always advisable to undertake verification, because the assumed position can never be taken for granted. In following HSG47 asset owners should be contacted for high risk apparatus and it is then for the asset owner to identify the control measures to be put in place. Utility providers have their own recommended ‘clearance’ distances for excavations, digging or drilling and this is different for each asset owner. Finally it is worth heeding the warning in section 9.2 “For all excavations, assume that underground utilities are present and act accordingly.”

Article contributed by Peter Boyd

Article Contaminated Land

Variability in Asbestos Analysis in Soil

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Improvements in methods
There have been efforts to improve the analysis for asbestos in the last ten years:
Analysis methods changed significantly around 2011-2014 with more scrutiny from UKAS. Prior to this, laboratories tended to offer a standalone visual screen to determine if asbestos containing material was present in the sample, but this would only cover pieces of asbestos containing material (ACM) and fibre bundles, and would not include small fragments or free fibres.

• A Blue Book method has been developed and while still in draft the basic methodology has generally been adopted by the majority of laboratories across the UK.

The Blue Book method includes identification of asbestos fibres under a microscope. This analysis is a time intensive process using analysts with a high level of skill and training to identify, count and measure fibres on the filters examined under the microscope.

Remaining Variability
Despite these changes there have been a number of comments on the variability of soil analysis for asbestos including an article in Geoenvironmental Matters which states that “Certainly, it has been rumoured that remediation contractors have come to know which laboratories quote “find asbestos” and which ones don’t.”[1]

[1] Is the quantification of Asbestos in Soils still a lottery? http://geoenvmatters.com/is-the-quantification-of-asbestos-in-soils-still-a-lottery/

In the light of these comments we carried out a review to try to determine the sources of variability across a number of laboratories. As part of this, we spoke to six laboratories and asked about their processes.

Asbestos Screen
A key issue we identified was inconsistency in the asbestos screen (Stage 1 of the blue book method). This is a critical step in all asbestos analysis in soil. If no asbestos is detected in the screen, then typically no further quantification is carried out.

The Stage 1 screening process involves three steps:
1. visual screen of the whole sample.
2. inspection of a dried sub-sample under a stereo microscope (x20 – x40).
3. small representative ‘pinch’ samples mounted on microscope slide at a higher magnification (x80 – x500) using Polarized Light Microscopy (PLM)/ Phase Contrast Microscopy (PCM) techniques.

If asbestos is found at any stage the screen is halted and asbestos is reported as being present.

We had heard rumours that not all laboratories were drying the samples prior to the second stage of the screen, thereby potentially making asbestos harder to detect, however at the time of our review in Spring 2018 the requirement to dry had been introduced into the draft Blue Book method and all the laboratories we spoke to were drying samples prior to the inspection under a stereo microscope.

For this second step of the screen we did encounter wide variation in mass of the sub-sample ranging from 20g to 100g and the amount to be used is not specified in the standard. There is no detection limit on the asbestos screen. It, however, seems obvious that a laboratory screening a larger sub-sample is likely to have a lower detection limit than a laboratory screening a smaller sub-sample but also may have higher costs as the process is more time intensive.

Further Quantification
Stage 2 in the Blue Book method is gravimetric analysis. This involves identification and removal of visible ACMs for gravimetric analysis and subsequent detailed Stage 2 analysis. The detailed Stage 2 analysis comprises inspection of a representative sub-sample under a stereo microscope and the removal of smaller ACM fragments and fibre bundles for identification and gravimetric analysis to determine asbestos percentage by weight.

We note that typically the laboratories tended to use a similar mass of sub-sample for Stage 2 gravimetric analysis to that used in the Stage 1 screening. Interestingly the latest draft of Blue Book sets out that a 20g to 50g sub-sample should be taken forward for Stage 2. Those who have previously taken a larger sub-sample could be at a disadvantage in terms of technical compliance with the Blue Book method and analysis cost, even though their method has a greater chance of finding asbestos. The latest draft of the Blue Book may thus push some laboratories towards a lower sensitivity screening and gravimetric quantification method.

From our discussions it is evident that most laboratories currently carrying out asbestos quantification analysis report the concentration of asbestos from the Stage 2 gravimetric analysis as a single value combining different types of ACM with the mass of fibre bundles. Some of the laboratories have indicated they are able to provide a breakdown of these fractions on request which could be very valuable for those carrying out risk assessment.

Summary
As the CIRIA guidance C733 on Asbestos in soil and made ground states, it is important that asbestos analysis is done well. In the light of the above, we recommend that those procuring laboratory analysis for screening of asbestos in soils using accredited laboratories should discuss the sample preparation and sub-sampling with their laboratory to gain a greater understanding of the quality of the analysis being carried out and its sensitivity. The information on the method should be included alongside the analysis results to enable those using the data to understand its potential limitations. Discussion with the laboratory may also help further increase the understanding of the results of subsequent gravimetric quantification.

Written by Barry Mitcheson, Principal Consultant at Wood Environment and Infrastructure Solutions UK Limited

Article Loss Prevention

Borehole Sites and Operations Regulations 1995

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The Borehole Sites and Operations (BSO) Regulations were made under the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and came into force in 1995. Although many of the requirements in the BSO Regulations are now carried out routinely, they are still legally enforceable. From discussion with various people in the geotechnical industry, and with the HSE, these regulations appear to have largely been either forgotten or overlooked. The purpose of this article is to remind AGS members of the existence of these regulations and to provide a brief summary of what they entail.
The regulations can read be as a Statutory Instrument on: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1995/2038/contents/made and also, together with HSE guidance in “A guide to the Borehole Sites and Operations Regulations 1995”, 2nd edition published 2008. A web-friendly version of the printed version, adapted for online use, is free to download from http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/books/l72.htm or it can be purchased from HSE Books (£18.00), ISBN 978 0 7176 6287 6.

The BSO Regulations are mostly intended to cover borehole operations for prospecting and extraction of minerals, but they also include boreholes for geotechnical investigation under the category of “Boreholes for any other purpose”.

The regulations require notification to the HSE of borehole sites and operations where the boreholes are 30m deep or more, and within a Mining Area. The boreholes may be being drilled in the future, are being drilled, or may have been drilled and have not yet been abandoned.

A Mining Area is defined as land which lies within 1000m, measured in any direction in 3 dimensions, of any mine currently being worked, or disused, or land where a licence to mine minerals has been granted for coal, natural gas, coal bed methane, or other minerals, in natural strata. Mines include shafts for access, ventilation or pumping, underground roadways, adits, and stopes but do not include opencast mines or quarries. Boreholes used for the storage of gas in natural strata reservoirs from which oil or coal bed methane has previously been extracted are also included as mining activities.

To find out if a site is within a coal mining area, you can visit the Coal Authority website https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/the-coal-authority. Finding reliable information about areas where other minerals were mined requires more work, by reference to a variety of sources, although records may be sparse or uncertain. Reference to the shallow and deeper geology will give clues as to where these may be. Non coal mining can include ironstone, lead/tin, gold, phosphates, halite (rock salt), limestone, oil, gas and others including use of hydraulic fracturing (‘fracking’). However, open cast mining (including quarrying) is not included.

Boreholes for extraction of landfill gas, along with offshore installations or activities carried out from such installations, are excluded from the BSO Regulations. However, an installation that is connected to land by a permanent structure is not an offshore installation and would be included.

For drilling of boreholes 30 metres or more in depth, inside a Mining Area, Regulations 6(3) and 6(5) apply. These are as follows:
• Regulation 6(3): “Where a borehole is being drilled within a mining area to a depth of 30 metres or more, the person entitled to drill the borehole, within 30 days after commencement of its drilling, shall notify the Executive the particulars specified in Part III of Schedule 1 [see below].”
• Regulation 6(5): “The operator of a borehole site or, in the case of particulars previously notified under paragraph (3), the person entitled to drill the borehole shall ensure that the Executive is notified as soon as reasonably practicable of any material change of circumstances which could affect particulars previously notified under … paragraph (3)”.
Part III of Schedule 1 states that the particulars required for a notification to the HSE under Regulation 6(3) are as follows:
1. Name and Address of the person entitled to drill the borehole.
2. Particulars with scale diagrams, where appropriate, of:
a. the OS National Grid Reference of the location of the top of the borehole.
b. its directional path; and
c. its terminal depth and location.
3. A description of the operations to be, or being, performed and a programme of works which includes the dates on which operations are expected to start and finish, or (if past) the dates they started and finished.

The BSO Regulations are in addition to the Health and Safety procedures that are commonly carried out to meet current requirements and expectations applicable to ground investigation works. They are also additional to the requirements to liaise with and inform the Coal Authority when drilling in coal mining areas. There may also be requirements to liaise with other authorities for drilling in mining areas for minerals other than coal.

Article contributed by Chris Vincett, Associate Director, Hydrock Consultants Limited

Article

Q&A with Marian Markham

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Full Name: Marian Markham BSc (Hons) MSc CGeol FGS PIEMA
Job Title: Principal Geoenvironmental Scientist
Company: Jacobs

Marian is a Chartered Geologist with the Geological Society, London and a Practitioner member of IEMA. She has over 15 years professional experience working at Halcrow Group Limited, now Jacobs. She has worked on a range of land development and infrastructure projects in the UK from desk study to remediation verification stage, often involving demolition and engineering of made ground. Marian holds an undergraduate degree in Geology and a MSc in Environmental Biogeochemistry. Her vocational qualifications include the qualifications BOHS P402 Buildings Surveys and NEBOSH National Certificate in Construction Health and Safety.

What or who inspired you to join the geotechnical industry?
I grew up near Lyme Regis and my interest in geology was inspired from an early age by the ever-changing and eroding Jurassic cliffs there and the legacy of Mary Anning, one of history’s most important fossil collectors and palaeontologists, whose portrait now proudly hangs in the reception of the Geological Society’s Burlington House.

What does a typical day entail?
I do not have a routine day, as you will have read many times before in this magazine about geotechnical and geoenvironmental professionals! No two projects or sites are the same in terms of land quality and assessment. I am currently splitting my time between London and Peterborough, working on the ground investigation design for the Lower Thames Crossing project.

Are there any projects which you’re particularly proud to have been a part of?
HS2 Ltd London-West Midlands ground investigation and my current Lower Thames Crossing project which are both huge infrastructure projects which will help to support the UK transport network and economy.

What are the most challenging aspects of your role?
Keeping up with constantly evolving UK geoenvironmental legislation and industry best practice across a discipline which involves air, water, land, planning, environmental impacts, social, waste management etc.

What AGS Working Group(s) are you a Member of and what are your current focuses?
I am a member of the Safety Working Group and the Contaminated Land Working Group. My current focus is on finalising the revised AGS Asbestos Risk Assessment for Ground Investigations.

What do you enjoy most about being an AGS Member?
I am the only geoenvironmental scientist in my office. It is therefore really helpful to be able to meet with other professionals at AGS meetings to directly discuss experiences and knowledge of current health, safety and geoenvironmental issues and challenges that our industry faces.

What do you find beneficial about being an AGS Member?
I believe the AGS guidance documents and magazine are a useful source of guidance directly from geotechnical practitioners. It is also important for the AGS members to be able to lobby Regulators and other key stakeholders as a united voice from a well-respected professional body, not just an individual. I will also be attending the AGS Conference in April, for which free* tickets are available to AGS members. *Terms and Conditions apply.

Why do you feel the AGS is important to the industry?
The mix of ground investigation contractors, suppliers and consultants who can all exchange views, concerns, ideas, safety alerts and publish useful industry guidance and technical standards on improving our science, which is made available to all through the AGS website.

What changes would you like to see implemented in the geotechnical industry?
I would like it to be accepted as normal and run of the mill for a robust and fully financed site investigation to be seen as part of the solution to support a competent design and successful construction of a development project, rather than part of the problem.

Article

AGS Photography Competition – The Results

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In September 2018, the AGS launched their first photography competition to try and capture the industry’s most creative working images.

A staggered 71 entries were submitted, each covering a range of topics across the geotechnical and geoenvironmental sector including site work, team work, landscape imagery and machinery shots.

The AGS Magazine Editorial Board took the challenging task to judge the images by scoring across four criteria;

  • Originality and Relevance
  • Composition
  • Colour, Lighting, Exposure and Focus
  • Overall Impression, Impact and Visual Appeal

23 images were shortlisted, and we’re pleased to announce the overall winner of the competition who won a Fortnum and Mason Piccadilly Hamper, and two runners up who have each won a bottle of Champagne;

  • 1ST PLACE: Chris Dimelow, Lankelma – Nearshore Investigations near Youghal. Image taken by John Delaney
  • 2ND PLACE: Johanna Houlahan, RSK – Rampion Offshore Wind Farm. Image taken by Johanna Houlahan
  • 3RD PLACE: Hiram Menezes Goncalves, Imperial College – Shoreham Quarry. Image taken by Hiram Menezes Goncalves

 

WINNING IMAGE: NEARSHORE INVESTIGATIONS NEAR YOUGHAL

Credit: John Delaney

In summer 2018, Lankelma’s Sandpiper C-5 jack-up carried out nearshore investigations for three potential landfall sites near Youghal, at the Irish end of a proposed 500km-long subsea electricity connection between EIRE and France. Wireline Geobore-S drilling and push-sampling formed part of feasibility studies by EirGrid and Réseau de Transport d’Électricité.

 

FIRST RUNNER UP: RAMPION OFFSHORE WIND FARM

Credit: Johanna Houlahan

This photograph showcases the UK south coast’s first offshore wind farm – Rampion Offshore Wind Farm. Rampion consists of 116 wind turbines off the West Sussex coast near Worthing. RSK personnel from offices throughout the UK across numerous disciplines, including geosciences, have helped to help bring this project to fruition.

 

SECOND RUNNER UP: SHOREHAM QUARRY

Credit: Hiram Menezes Goncalves

 The photo was taken in Shoreham Quarry, in West Sussex, as part of a site visit of an Imperial College MSc research. The 30m high Chalk Cliff holds a variety of rock mass features relevant to engineering practice: Faults, dissolution features, flint bands, sub horizontal beddings, subvertical joint sets, soil infilling fractures, preferential water paths.

 

The AGS would like to thank all those who took the time to enter the photography competition. The overall standard of entries was extremely high, and the judging panel found the task challenging in shortlisting the top three entries.