News Business Practice

New Leader for AGS Business Practice Working Group

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Tags: Featured

Andrew Milne, Managing Director of Geotechnical Engineering and new Leader of the AGS Business Practice Working Group, gives an overview on his aims and ambitions for his upcoming term.

I’m delighted to have been chosen by the membership of the AGS as the new Leader of the Business Practice Working Group (BPWG). Thank you for your vote of confidence in me.
I am taking over the Leadership from John Talbot, who ran the BPWG for several years. During his tenure, the BPWG initiated some key changes to the way the AGS runs, which have hopefully set it up for the years ahead. I have been working with John for some of this time, and have witnessed his hard work and dedication to the wellbeing of the AGS and its membership. Well done, John. Please don’t go away – we still need you!

The BPWG is primarily concerned with the business practice of the AGS itself. As Leader of the BPWG, I report in to the Chairman of the AGS (in the Executive Council), and also to the AGS Senate. Whilst the AGS is a ‘not for profit’ organisation, like any commercial enterprise, it needs to thrive and survive. Over the medium and long term, it needs to bring in as much money as it spends, and a little bit more ‘for the rainy day’.

In the most recent update of the AGS Byelaws in 2015, we confirmed that there are three ‘Purposes’ or ‘Aims’ of the AGS, namely:
(a) to promote and enhance quality and safe practice within the geotechnical and geo-environmental industry;
(b) to provide opportunities for participation in its activities to all those in the wider geotechnical and geo-environmental industry;
(c) to give benefit to all of its participants.

In order to achieve any of these Aims, we have to be in touch with as many people as possible within the wider geotechnical and geo-environmental industry. The decision taken at the time of updating the Byelaws was that we wanted to be a ‘big-hearted’ organisation, open to ‘everyone’ in the industry, at all levels, rather than a ‘small-minded’ organisation, open only to a smaller ‘Elite’. There are arguments for both stances; we chose the former – you can’t be both!

In refreshing the Byelaws, we were very mindful to uphold the high standards required of being a ‘Practitioner Member’, and, furthermore, demanded that all levels of member, from Student Member to Honorary Member, confirmed (every year) that they ‘fully support the objectives and aims of the AGS, and agree to abide by its Code of Business Conduct’.
In consequence, the dominant task of the BPWG over the next few years is to get in touch with ‘everyone’ in the industry, and encourage them to be members of the AGS, at all levels. And once we are in touch with these people, we need to keep their attention by provide guidance, useful and interesting content, opportunities for participation, and ‘benefit’ in all senses. The AGS Administrator (Forum Court Associates Limited) has reorganised itself to this purpose, for which we are grateful.

The Business Plan for the AGS is set by the Executive Council, and is approved by the Senate. From this Business Plan, the BPWG draw up the Marketing Plan for the AGS. It identifies actions to be taken by certain AGS members, and by the Administrator.

In due course, when the AGS is in touch with many more people in the industry, and the number and range of Members (at all levels) has increased significantly, the intention is to review the subscription model. All organisations need to evolve and stay up-to-date and relevant. This exercise will not be straightforward, and all points of view will need to be listened to before decisions are made. Watch this space.

This article was featured in the May/June 2018 issue of the AGS Magazine, which can be viewed here

News Business Practice Contaminated Land Data Management Executive Geotechnical Laboratories Loss Prevention Safety

AGS Magazine: May/June issue

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Tags: AGS AGS Magazine Featured May/June issue

The Association of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Specialists are pleased to announce the May/June issue of their new bi-monthly publication; AGS Magazine. To view the magazine click HERE.

This free, bimonthly publication focuses on geotechnics, engineering geology and geoenvironmental engineering as well as the work and achievements of the AGS.

There are a number of excellent articles in this month’s issue including;

Coal Authority calls for full consideration of legacy issues – Page 6
Geotechnica 2018: Preview – Page 8
Guide to Loss Prevention – Page 12
Sustainable Remediation The role of the geotechnical specialist – Page 16
AGS Members’ Day 2018: An overview – Page 18
Porosity and permeability values: Filling the gaps with NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance) – Page 20

Advertising opportunities are available within future issues of the publication. To view rates and opportunities please view our media pack by clicking HERE.

If you have a news story, article, case study or event which you’d like to tell our editorial team about please email ags@ags.org.uk. Articles should act as opinion pieces and not directly advertise a company. Please note that the publication of editorial and advertising content is subject to the discretion of the editorial board.

Article News Contaminated Land Geotechnical

Ground Risk: Why Take the Chance? A Lessons Learnt Conference

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Tags: AGS Ground Risk Cavendish Conference Centre Featured Ground Risk Wednesday 12th September 2018

The Association of Geotechnical & Geoenvironmental Specialists are pleased to announce that their upcoming ground risk conference will take place on Wednesday 12th September 2018 at the Cavendish Conference Centre in London.

Ground Risk: why take the chance? A lessons learnt conference is a full day, CPD event organised by the Association of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Specialists, which will provide a focus on how ground risk can be identified, quantified, and measured for the whole project team using cutting edge technology allied with professional experience. It’ll also look at specific areas where we can improve the quality of contaminated land assessment and the risk associated with getting it wrong.

Ground Risk: Why Take the Chance? is aimed at attendees involved in construction projects from concept and planning through to implementation and not solely for geotechnical engineering specialists to help drive a change in the way ground risk is considered in the UK and beyond.

Speakers for the event include Stephen Tromans, who is recognised as one of the leading practitioners in Environmental Law in the UK, award-winning geologist, Jacqueline Skipper, Dr Andrew Smith, Coffey and Brownfield Briefing and GE Award winners, Arcadis.

 

Speakers and synopsis for the event include:

Ground Risk – Where do I start?
Dr Jacqueline Skipper, Senior Partner and Senior Geologist at the Geotechnical Consulting Group

Ground risk is often considered in terms of properties or features of the ground that create risks for construction, and this is of course a fascinating subject –  but is that really all we have to consider? In construction projects,  ground risk also concerns knowledge, communication and contracts. In this presentation I’ll be exploring these areas of the subject and looking at how we can interact, positively or negatively.

Managing Risk for a Deep Basement Excavation
Dr Andrew Smith, Technical Director at Coffey Geotechnics

The ICD Brookfield development will comprise a 290m tall tower with a 7-level basement (the deepest basement in Dubai). A 5-level basement was previously constructed on the site along with all the foundation piles. The basement was later backfilled when construction ceased in 2009.

The risks on this project were predominantly associated with the previous construction. Particular challenges included the deepening of the basement, the construction of new deeper temporary retaining walls, pile re-use and construction in close proximity to adjacent structures. In addition, this is the first construction in Dubai where removable anchors have been used.
The presentation describes how the risks were assessed and how a basement construction strategy was developed to manage them.

The Application of Advanced Continuous Surface Wave Data to Managing Ground Risk
Chris Milne, Director at Ground Stiffness Surveys

Advanced Continuous Surface Wave (ACSW) testing has been developed as a cost-effective non-intrusive means for obtaining ground profiles for geotechnical engineering. Data provided by ACSW includes accurate ground stiffness profiles at a known strain, shear wave velocity profiles (for seismic design, liquefaction assessment, rock quality assessment and for evaluation of soil properties) and Rayleigh wave velocity data (for high speed rail design). The robust, rapid and low-risk nature of the ACSW technique has resulted in its use across a range of challenging construction conditions including high-risk services environments, active construction sites and time-constrained highways and rail sites. The speed and cost-effectiveness of ACSW has the potential to significantly reduce geotechnical risk by supplementing traditional investigation and testing, as well as providing an alternative means of assessing difficult-to-investigate features such mineshafts, natural cavities and problematic ground. Advances in ACSW technology, recent applications for ground risk reduction and opportunities in this growing field are outlined.

Investigation and Treatment of Chalk Solution Features – Changing Risk Profile with Additional Information
Allan Bell, Regional Director at Hydrock

This talk will present a case study for the investigation and treatment of Chalk Solution Features. It will discuss:
• changes in the risk profile as the project progressed;
• the changing investigation methods and mitigation measures as the project progressed and the risk profile changed; and
• the clients change in approach to risk as their confidence in the data and their understanding of risk increased; and
• agreement of the changes with the NHBC.

The presentation will show changes in the clients acceptance of risk as the amount of data increases and their understanding of risk increase.

Identifying and Minimising Risk through a Value Engineered Geotechnical Solution & Case Study: 36hrs Inside Queen Street Tunnel, Glasgow
Natalie Bews, Senior Engineering Geologist and Eric Downey, Senior Engineering Geologist at Structural Soils

The initial presentation will highlight the risk of undertaking a development (structure/property) without a sufficiently scoped ground investigation. A review by the National Economic Development Office (NEDO) of 8,000 commercial buildings found that over 66% of the projects over run by at least a month. Analysis of these showed that 50% had overrun due to unforeseen ground conditions.

The case study will focus on a railway tunnel in Scotland, where a large amount of ground investigation coring and drilling work was required to be undertaken over a New Year. The ground conditions were unknown but after conducting a trial shift the drilling methodology was chosen to maximise the productivity of the New Year works. This case study identifies how the significant project risks were reduced with the collaboration of the Client in early engagement and allowing of a trial shift prior to the main works.

An Overview of Legal Developments under Part IIA and Contaminated Land
Stephen Tromans, QC, 39 Essex Chambers

An overview of legal developments under Part IIA and contaminated land more generally

Ground Gas Risk – The Risk from Incorrect Characterisation
Gavin Allsopp, Principal Geo-environmental Engineer at NHBC

The presentation will highlight the risks associated with undertaking residential developments without adequate gas risk assessments being completed before construction starts on site. It will present some case studies of sites were the gas regime and required gas protection mitigation measures have not been fully characterised before construction commences, the implications this can have and how these were rectified to ensure safe development.

Waste Classification for Soils – An AGS Practitioners’ Guide
Mike Plimmer, Technical Director at Geotechnical & Environmental Associates

It is apparent that the classification of waste soils (as either hazardous or non-hazardous) is not always completed in accordance with relevant legislation and UK Guidance. This may be because the process is not widely understood, because it is overly complex for the non-chemist, or because it is impractical in contaminated land applications where waste assessment and disposal often occurs over very short timescales. It is still common practice for comparison with landfill waste acceptance criteria to be used (incorrectly) as a substitute for waste classification.

The aim of the AGS Practitioners’ Guide, which will be introduced in this presentation, is to provide a simplified process for the sampling and classification of waste soils on straightforward sites. The Guide will point towards further information and guidance for dealing with these more complex situations. It is not intended that this Guidance duplicates or supersedes the comprehensive guidance on the classification of waste that has been published by the UK Environment Agencies. Rather, it is intended as supplementary guidance, specifically aimed at the classification of waste soil. Users of this Guide are expected to be familiar with the content of Technical Guidance WM3.

Creosote-Tar Seepage Portslade Beach
George Flower, Technical Director GeoScience at Arcadis Consulting

Following winter 2013-14 storms, beach sand was lost and a new outcrop of “crocodile – skin” emerged at lowest spring tides.
From its “scales” wept black ribbons of neat creosote tars.
Obnoxious odours wafted towards Local residents, the water shimmered in a way that it should not; Councillors were concerned, Public Health England informed, Environment Agency engaged.

The former Portslade Gas Works was the key suspect, but this was some 200m distance, and why a problem now, nearly 80 yrs since gas production hey day?
This presentation explains the characterisation process and methods, details some of the techniques employed, and how those were key to development of a detailed CSM, enabling resolution of the unique path the offensive tars were taking.

AGS members may attend the conference for £140 (plus VAT) per person. Non-AGS members will be charged at £210 (plus VAT). A 15% discount will apply to two or more delegates attending from the same company. Please note there is an early bird offer running until 31st July.

To register for the event, please complete the below registration form and return it to ags@ags.org.uk before Tuesday 4th September.

AGS Ground Risk registration form 2018

Two sponsorship packages are available for companies both inside and outside of the AGS. For full information please contact ags@ags.org.uk before Friday 24th August.

EVENT SPONSORS

Ambisense
AmbiSense is a technology company operating in the environmental sector. We build real-time sensor platforms to generate unique insight about a multitude of industrial and environmental problems to help our customers solve complex environmental problems. Our signature product, GasfluX is the world’s first continuous gas and flow monitoring device for ground-gas applications. The technology enables, real-time monitoring of landfills, brownfield sites, onshore O&G facilities and industrial sites
www.ambisense.net/

Envirolab
Envirolab provides laboratory services spanning a broad organic and inorganic portfolio. Our reputation for excellence is built on continually providing our clients with reliable results delivered on time and within budget. Our UKAS and MCERTS accreditations guarantee our commitment to quality. We are the utterly reliable analytical laboratory.
www.envlab.co.uk

Quantum Geotechnical
Quantum Geotechnical, based in South Wales and South West England, working nationwide, provides a comprehensive service across the ground investigation, geotechnical contracting and geotechnical consultancy sectors. We have a specialist fleet of multi-purpose drilling rigs, a UKAS accredited in-house laboratory and a team of experienced and chartered engineers and geologists.
www.quantum-geotech.co.uk

Geotechnical & Environmental Associates
GEA is a well-established and independent geotechnical and geoenvironmental specialist consultant providing a high-quality service to the property and construction industries. Our services include site characterisation, ground investigation and reporting, complex ground movement analyses, with particular expertise in basements, deep foundations and buried infrastructure, contamination assessments and remediation appraisals, foundation analysis and expert advice.
www.gea-ltd.co.uk

Geotechnical Engineering
Geotechnical Engineering Ltd is the UK’s largest privately-owned ground investigation contractor, renowned for providing a range of innovative ground investigation services for thousands of land-based projects since 1961. From Utility Surveying to all aspects of ground investigation and having our own UKAS accredited laboratory, we are proud to call ourselves industry experts.

Home

Soil Engineering
With over 50 years of experience, Soil Engineering are one of the country’s foremost Ground Investigation and Specialist Grouting Contractors. The comprehensive in-house geotechnical laboratory, continually updated plant fleet, and ongoing investment in training and staff development, allow Soil Engineering to provide a reliable and cost-effective solution for any geotechnical project, throughout the UK.
www.soil-engineering.co.uk

Structural Soils
Structural Soils Ltd has evolved into a national, multidisciplinary integrated, geotechnical and geo-environmental Site Investigation Company with the proven capability, capacity and confidence to undertake contracts of any size, in any location and virtually any scope. The company undertakes contracts across the UK through its offices in Bristol, Castleford, Coventry, Glasgow, Hemel Hempstead and Tonbridge.
www.soils.co.uk

In Situ Site Investigation
In Situ Site Investigation is a specialist geotechnical and geo-environmental site investigation company, which specialises in the use of Cone Penetration Testing techniques including seismic, shear vane, video cone, pressuremeter and magnetometer. Our specialised rigs enable us to work in most locations including railways, marine, brownfield sites, river slopes and rugged, mountainous terrain.
http://www.insitusi.com/

Landmark
Landmark’s Envirocheck provides industry-leading site-specific environmental reports that analyse and assess risks for Phase 1 studies. The Envirocheck Analysis digital platform and mobile app was launched to revolutionise site assessments by enabling users to instantly overlay an extensive archive of historical mapping and environmental data, online, to immediately determine associated risks.
http://www.envirocheck.co.uk/

Article News Business Practice Contaminated Land Data Management Executive Laboratories Loss Prevention Safety

AGS Magazine – March/April 2018 issue

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Tags: Featured

The Association of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Specialists are pleased to announce the March/April issue of their new bi-monthly publication; AGS Magazine. To view the magazine click HERE.

This free, bimonthly publication focuses on geotechnics, engineering geology and geoenvironmental engineering as well as the work and achievements of the AGS.

There are a number of excellent articles in this month’s issue including;

AGS Members’ Day Information – Page 4
Making a difference: Volunteering outside of the AGS – Page 10
New AGS Working Group: Geotechnical – Page 15
AGS Honorary Life Member: John Talbot – Page 18
Unlocking Complex Brownfield Sites – Page 20
Q&A with Julian Lovell of Equipe and S M Associates – Page 26
AGS Guidance: Geotechnical Soil Laboratory Testing Selection – Page 32
Working Group Focus: Data Management & Loss Prevention – Page 34

Advertising opportunities are available within future issues of the publication. To view rates and opportunities please view our media pack by clicking HERE.

If you have a news story, article, case study or event which you’d like to tell our editorial team about please email ags@ags.org.uk. Articles should act as opinion pieces and not directly advertise a company. Please note that the publication of editorial and advertising content is subject to the discretion of the editorial board.

News

Supporting the Aldous Bill

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Tags: Featured

The AGS have joined a confederation of almost 70 trade bodies and industry groups to back the so-called ‘Aldous Bill.’

The aim of the Aldous Bill (named after Peter Aldous MP who introduced it), is to change the practice of retentions and protect monies from insolvency; hopefully releasing millions of pounds back into the industry. To put it into perspective, the abuse of retentions has been abandoned by many other countries, including the USA, Germany, France, New Zealand, Australia and Canada. Yet here in the UK, recent government research indicated that £700 million worth of retentions was lost as a result of insolvencies over the past three years. This means that for each working day, the construction industry is haemorrhaging almost £1 million of cash retentions.

This statistic alone justifies urgent intervention to ring-fence the monies, but in the aftermath of the Carillion liquidation, there is an unprecedented campaign from the industry calling on government to act. Proposals to stop the abuse of retentions have been made before, but in January 2018 the Aldous Bill passed its first reading unopposed and as we approach the second reading on April 27th ‘Aldous Bill’ has the broad backing of many industry associations, and cross-party support from over 100 MPs.

For further information, visit the BESA website.

News Data Management

Version 3.1 of the AGS Format to be retired from 8th March 2018

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Tags: AGS Data Format AGS Format 3.1 Featured

An earlier version of the digital data transfer format used to transfer ground investigation, laboratory testing and monitoring data rapidly between contributing parties to a geotechnical or geoenvironmental project will cease to be supported from 8th March 2018.

Version 3.1a of the Association of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Specialists (AGS) digital data transfer format, the so called ‘AGS Format’, was published in March 2005 and has been widely adopted within the ground engineering industry.

In May 2010 version 4 of the AGS Format was published, and has been gaining users and popularity since then. The latest 4.0.4 update was released in February 2017 in response to new laboratory industry standards and updated UK practice, and contains many features that are not available in the old 3.1 version.

The maintenance and updating of the AGS Format is carried out by a working group of volunteers. The decision to retire AGS 3.1 has been taken in order to allow the working group more time for future developments, and to speed up the response times to queries posted on the website.

Jackie Bland, Leader of the AGS Data Management Working Group said:

“This does not mean that industry colleagues will have to stop using the AGS 3.1 format, but it simply means that the working group will no longer respond to queries on 3.1 or its associated codes.

This should free up time to provide a swifter response to queries related to AGS4, which should now be the go-to choice for the efficient transfer of ground investigation, laboratory testing and monitoring data.”

Notes to Editors:
In 1991 the Association of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Specialists (AGS) set up, and subsequently has supported, a Working Group to establish and maintain a digital data transfer format.

This format, known to many simply as ‘AGS Format’, has now been generally accepted as the most appropriate means to transfer ground investigation, laboratory testing and monitoring data rapidly between the contributing parties to a project that involves geotechnical or geoenvironmental elements.

Since its first publication in 1991 the AGS Format has become the de-facto industry standard for the reliable transfer of ground engineering data in the UK and has been adopted and adapted for use around the globe, including Hong Kong, New Zealand, Singapore and Australia.
The AGS Format enables transfer of geotechnical and geoenvironmental data in a digital form. It allows for the standardised representation of factual information, focusing on field and laboratory test results and monitoring data. AGS Format data are typically generated by a ground investigation specialist, a testing laboratory or on-site drilling crews and technicians and then shared with all project team members, be they designers, or contractors carrying out construction.

This team then uses the data without time consuming and expensive re-keying of data with the associated potential for errors or incomplete data entry.

Following completion of the project, the AGS Format data is easily archived and passed into the asset management sphere, for retrieval at a later date without requiring knowledge of the software used in its generation, or a requirement to have access to that software.

For more information contact:
Katie Kennedy
Association of Geotechnical & Geoenvironmental Specialists
Forum Court, Office 205
Devonshire House Business Centre
29-31 Elmfield Road
Bromley
Kent BR1 1LT

Tel: +44 (0)20 8658 8212
Email: ags@ags.org.uk
Website: www.ags.org.uk

News Data Management

A New Era for AGS Data Format

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Tags: Featured

The AGS Data Format organisation is going through a period of change within AGS to ensure it can meet the demands of a digitalised industry. The way it is currently supported has to change. Jackie Bland explains…

The AGS Data Format stands as one of the most useful digital standards ever developed for our industry. It’s the product of collaboration between like-minded technical experts who all saw the need to share site investigation data in a standard way between their different organisations, irrespective of the software and people involved. Yet for many its purpose is unknown or not understood.

The AGS Data Format saw a group of enthusiasts come together with no budget and little dedicated time to create something that has become a defacto standard within the UK Site Investigation industry. Expanding on its UK success, it has been adopted abroad in countries such as Hong Kong, Australia and New Zealand. It anticipating the demands of digital construction (BIM) when it was created 25 years ago.

Throughout its life it has been maintained by the volunteers of the AGS Data Management Committee, with little or no budget towards its upkeep. Today we are rebuilding the technical infrastructure that sustains the Data Format to ensure that it will stand for the next 25 years. To support this invaluable work we have taken the decision to put it on a more sustainable footing financially so that we can safeguard it into the future.

The AGS publication ‘Electronic Transfer of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Data’ (AGS data format versions 1-4.0) has, to date, been maintained using a one-time fee for registered users. As the AGS Format’s use has grown, the process of responding to queries, extending the format and maintaining the website has become costly and time consuming which needed to be addressed.

While the publication itself will still be completely free to download and use. The AGS has decided that an annual fee should be payable as a contribution to its upkeep for those wishing to make regular use of data transferred in this way and to interact with the Data Management Group when proposing new codes and needing answers to queries.

From 2018, the annual fee for AGS member organisations is £50 + VAT and annual fee for non-member organisations is £150 + VAT.

From April 2018, the existing list of Registered Companies on the website will be cleared and only those organisations and individuals who have paid the fee for that year will be included in the revised list. A logo and certificate will be supplied annually by AGS to those who are registered for inclusion on their website, email and social media feeds to demonstrate their registration and involvement.

We would ask that, if you are a consumer of AGS data, you check that any company supplying you with AGS data is shown on the list of Registered Users.

The benefits of being registered for AGS Data include:
• Ability to use the AGS Format for any application
• DOC and RTF versions of the Publication
• A copy of and the ability to use the AGS Data Logo on your SI reports and logs
• The AGS Data Dictionary in CSV or Excel format
• Company listing on the Registered list

Visit the AGS Data Format website here to become a registered user of AGS Data Format or email ags@ags.org.uk.

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AGS Magazine – January/February issue

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Tags: Featured

The Association of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Specialists are pleased to announce the January/February issue of their new bi-monthly publication; AGS Magazine. To view the magazine click HERE.

This free, bimonthly publication focuses on geotechnics, engineering geology and geoenvironmental engineering as well as the work and achievements of the AGS.

There are a number of excellent articles in this month’s issue including;

Expert Perspective on Contaminated Land – Page 10
Not all Office Insurance is the same – Page 14
Preventing Lyme Disease – Page 16
Q&A with Sally Hudson from Coffey Geotechnics – Page 18
AGS Guidance: Domestic Basement Construction – Page 22
Working Group Focus: Business Practice & Safety – Page 28

Advertising opportunities are available within future issues of the publication. To view rates and opportunities please view our media pack by clicking HERE.

If you have a news story, article, case study or event which you’d like to tell our editorial team about please email ags@ags.org.uk. Articles should act as opinion pieces and not directly advertise a company. Please note that the publication of editorial and advertising content is subject to the discretion of the editorial board.

Article News Business Practice Contaminated Land Data Management Executive Laboratories Loss Prevention Safety

AGS Magazine – November/December issue

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Tags: AGS Magazine Featured November/December

The Association of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Specialists are pleased to announce the launch of their new bi-monthly publication; AGS Magazine. To view the magazine click here.

This free, bimonthly publication focuses on geotechnics, engineering geology and geoenvironmental engineering as well as the work and achievements of the AGS.

There are a number of excellent articles in this month’s debut issue including;

  • Laboratory Proficiency Testing – Page 6
  • PCBs: What are they? – Page 10
  • AGS Geotechnical Data Conference Review – Page 14
  • Q&A with Chris Swainston from Geotechnics – Page 17
  • AGS Guidance: Ground Investigation Reports – Page 28
  • Standards Update: November 2017 – Page 30

Advertising opportunities are available within future issues of the publication. To view rates and opportunities please view our media pack by clicking HERE.

If you have a news story, article, case study or event which you’d like to tell our editorial team about please email ags@ags.org.uk. Articles should act as opinion pieces and not directly advertise a company. Please note that the publication of editorial and advertising content is subject to the discretion of the editorial board.

News

BSI Shop – Affiliate Scheme

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Tags: Featured

The AGS are now part of the BSI affiliate scheme, which means the AGS will get a small amount of commission from any sales generated from the below link to the BSI shop.

Click here to visit the BSI shop. Please note this is an affiliate link.

Article News Data Management

Progress on the test standards cited in EN 7-2

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New Standard

BS EN ISO 17892

Test

Superseded/will supersede

Current Status

Publication

BS EN ISO 17892-1:2014

Water content

BS1377-2, Sub-clause 3.2

Published

31/12/2014

BS EN ISO 17892-2:2014

Bulk density

BS1377-2, Sub-clause 7.2, 7.3 and 7.4

Published

31/12/2014

BS EN ISO 17892-3:2015

Particle density

BS1377-2, Sub-clause 8.3

Published

31/01/2016

BS EN ISO 17892-4:2015

Particle size distribution

BS1377-2, Clause 9

Published

31/12/2016

BS EN ISO 17892-5

Incremental oedometer

BS1377-5, Clause 3

Published

April 2017

BS EN ISO 17892-6

Fall cone

No equivalent

Published

March 2017

BS EN ISO 17892-7

Unconfined compressive strength

BS1377-7, Clause 5

Comments being resolved

Early 2018

BS EN ISO 17892-8

Unconsolidated undrained triaxial test

BS1377-7, Clause 7

Comments being resolved

Early 2018

BS EN ISO 17892-9

Effective stress testing

BS1377-8 entirety

Comments being resolved

Early 2018

BS EN ISO 17892-10

Shear-box and ring-shear

BS1377-7, Clause 4, 5 and 6

Drafted

Late 2018

BS EN ISO 17892-11

Permeability tests

BS1377-5, Clause 5 and BS 1377-6, Clause 5

Parallel enquiry imminent

Mid 2019

BS EN ISO 17892-12

Plasticity Index tests

BS1377-2, Clauses 4 and 5

Comments being resolved

Early/Mid 2018

 

New Standard

 

Test

Current Status

Publication

BS EN ISO 22476

Field testing

BS EN ISO 22478-1

Electrical Cone and piezocone penetration tests

Published

February 2013

BS EN ISO 22478-2

Dynamic probing

Published and amended

UK proposing revision

Amendment

Jan 2012

BS EN ISO 22476-3

Standard penetration test

Published and amended

UK proposing revision

Amendment Jan 2012

BS EN ISO 22476-4

Menard Pressuremeter

Published

March 2013

BS EN ISO 22476-5

Flexible dilatometer

Published

March 2013

BS EN ISO 22476-6

Self-Boring pressuremeter test

Being drafted?

–

BS EN ISO 22476-7

Borehole jacking test

Published

March 2013

BS EN ISO 22476-8

Full displacement pressuremeter test

Being drafted?

–

BS EN ISO 22476-9

Field vane test

Draft and commented on (lots of them) progress stalled

–

BS EN ISO 22476-10

Weight sounding test

Currently published as a technical specification. Full EN version
comments being resolved

–

BS EN ISO 22476-11

Flat dilatometer test

Currently published as a technical specification. Full EN version
comments being resolved

–

BS EN ISO 22476-12

Mechanical cone penetration test

Published

2009

BS EN ISO 22476-13

Plate loading test

Being drafted

–

BS EN ISO 22476-14

Drilling parameters – recording

Published

2016

EN ISO 22476-29

Phicometer shearing test

No progress

–

EN ISO 22476-30

Menard pressuremeter test with an unload- reload loop

No progress

–

BS EN ISO 22477

Geotechnical structures

New Standard

 

Test

Current Status

Publication

BS EN ISO 22477-1

Pile testing – Static axial compression

Being drafted

–

BS EN ISO 22477-2

Pile testing – Static axial tension

Not registered

–

BS EN ISO 22477-3

Pile testing – Transverse tension

Not registered

–

BS EN ISO 22477-4

Pile testing – Dynamic axial compression

Comments being resolved

–

BS EN ISO 22477-5

Testing of grouted anchors

Comments being resolved,. Title change

–

BS EN ISO 22477-6

Testing of nails

Not registered

–

BS EN ISO 22477-7

Testing of reinforced fill

Not registered

–

BS EN ISO 22477-8

Full displacement pressuremeter test

Not registered

–

BS EN ISO 22477-10

Rapid testing of piles

Published

2016

BS EN ISO 22282

Geohydraulic tests

BS EN ISO 22282-1

General Rules

Published

October 2012

BS EN ISO 22282-2

Water permeability test in borehole without packer

Published

October 2012

BS EN ISO 22282-3

Water pressure test in rock

Published

October 2012

BS EN ISO 22282-4

Pumping tests

Published

October 2012

BS EN ISO 22282-5

Infiltrometer tests

Published

October 2012

BS EN ISO 22282-6

Closed packer systems

Published

October 2012

BS EN ISO 14688

Identification and classification

BS EN ISO 14688-1

Identification and classification of soil – identification and
description

Published with amendment

Under revision at comment resolutions stage

2013

(Revision late 2017 early 2018)

BS EN ISO 14688-2

Identification and classification of soil – Principles for a
classification

Published with amendment

Under revision at comment resolutions stage

2013

(Revision late 2017 early 2018)

BS EN ISO 14689-1

Identification and classification of rock – identification and
description

Published with amendment

Under revision at comment resolutions stage

2013

(Revision late 2017 early 2018)

18674

Geotechnical monitoring by field instruments

BS EN ISO 18674-1

Geotechnical monitoring by field instruments – General rules

Published

2015

BS EN ISO 18674-2

Geotechnical monitoring by field instruments –Measurement of
displacements along a line ; Extensometers

Published with amendment

Under revision at comment resolutions stage

2016

BS EN ISO 18674-3

Measurement of displacements along a line; Inclinometers

Comment resolutions stage

BS EN ISO 18674-4

Measurement of displacements along a line; Piezometers

Being drafted

BS EN ISO 18674-5

Measurement of displacements along a line; Total pressure cells

Being drafted

BS EN ISO 18674-6

Measurement of displacements along a line; Hydraulic settlement
gauges

Being drafted

BS EN ISO 18674-7

Measurement of displacements along a line; Hydraulic settlement
gauges

Being drafted

BS EN ISO 18674-8

Measurement of displacements along a line; Strain gauges

Being drafted

BS EN ISO 18674-9

Measurement of displacements along a line; Geodetic monitoring
instruments

Being drafted

BS EN ISO 18674-10

Measurement of displacements along a line; Vibration monitoring
instruments

Being drafted

More information can be found here

 

News

Guidance for the Operation of Cable Percussion Rig and Equipment

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Tags: BDA news

The Guidance for the Operation of Cable Percussion Rig and Equipment which was driven by HS2 has been recently published by The British Drilling Association. The guidance sets the benchmark for people who wish to be involved in percussion cable rigs.

This publication was extensively revised and rewritten by the BDA in 2016. The guidance now covers all aspects of CP drilling, including safety (HSE have reviewed and endorsed) and is essential for anyone involved in operating, procuring, organising and supervising cable percussion (shell & auger) boring.

The guidance is free to BDA members and £150 for Non-Members.

Click here to purchase the guidance