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The need to consider the impact and effect of groundwater during all stages of the design and construction process is of paramount importance for almost all construction and building projects. However, the impact of groundwater is often poorly understood by many sectors of the construction industry, even those tasked with the design and construction of earth structures, basements, foundations, roads or pavements. The impact of groundwater can manifest in obvious ways as water inflow into excavations, leakage through retaining walls, uplift buoyancy pressures, but in less obvious ways such as consolidation settlements or loss of strength of the ground, or as the medium for transportation of contaminants or adverse chemical elements.
We Need to Talk About Groundwater is a CPD conference aimed at attendees involved in construction projects from concept and planning through detailed design to construction and is not solely for geotechnical engineering specialists. Taking place at ETC. Venues in Manchester, the conference is proposed to raise awareness of how groundwater can impact construction. This will include presentations about how groundwater and geohydraulic parameters can be reliable determined during investigations and infiltration testing, how groundwater is covered by the new second-generation Eurocodes BS EN 1990:2023 and FprEN 1997-1:2024, measures for control of groundwater, how water pressures can impact cutting slopes or excavations, and a number of other topics.
Speakers for the event include Andrew Bond, who is recognised as one of the leading experts dealing with Eurocodes for geotechnical design, Len Threadgold is a leading practitioner dealing with ground and groundwater investigations, and Stephen Thomas a recognised expert in groundwater control.
The event will include two interactive Q&A sessions. The first will be chaired by Claire Howarth, Senior Principal Engineering Hydrogeologist at Mott Macdonald, and the second will be chaired by Georgina Donbroski, Director – Technical and Quality at RSK Geosciences.
TICKETS
Tickets are priced at £150 for AGS members and £210 for non-members.
A limited number of tickets are available at £95 for retired AGS members, students, local authority and environment agency delegates. To secure a ticket at this rate, please email ags@ags.org.uk. All prices exclude VAT.
To obtain the AGS member rate, please add the delegate place to your basket, select ‘proceed to checkout’, enter delegate details and under ‘billing details’, select your company from the AGS member company dropdown list. The rate at the end of the checkout page will then update to the AGS member rate.
Registration strictly closes on Monday 28th October. Please note that we can not offer refunds for this event after Tuesday 22nd October.
PROJECTS FOR NATURE PARTNERSHIP
The AGS is proud to announce that they will be donating a percentage of the surplus generated from the groundwater conference to the Projects for Nature Midland WILD Revival fund, a project focusing on rewilding the River Blythe in Warwickshire.
This project will aim to restore the ecosystem and create climate resilience in the local area whilst also creating a haven for people to reconnect with the great outdoors in the heart of England.
Projects for Nature, an initiative which aims to restore nature recovery in the UK, believe that as a collective, we need to turn a corner towards protecting and restoring nature by recognising its value and supporting its path to recovery. They bring together a unique collaboration of businesses, eNGOs, expert environmental bodies and government to bring Projects for Nature to life and accelerate urgently needed nature recovery.
For further information please visit www.projectsfornature.com or to learn more about the Midland WILD Revival fund click HERE.
PRESENTATIONS
Groundwater Pressures in the Second-Generation Eurocodes
Dr Andrew Bond, Director at Geocentrix Ltd.
This presentation will explain how groundwater pressures are determined in the second-generation Eurocodes, starting from the definition of a water action in EN 1990 Basis of structural and geotechnical design and proceeding to simplify the specification for the particular circumstances in which such actions arise in the ground. Techniques for analysing large data sets of groundwater levels will be presented as well as simpler methods for more commonly-encountered sparse data sets. Real-world examples will illustrate the strengths and weaknesses of these methods.
Eurocode, Groundwater and Geohydraulic Properties, The Next Generation
Will Capps, Technical Manager at Lucion Delta-Simons
With groundwater being a key component throughout the next generation of Eurocode understanding and accurately determining groundwater and geohydraulic properties such as pressures and hydraulic conductivity is important. This presentation will aim to refresh, replenish and educate attendees on where we currently are with the standards with hydrogeological testing methods and considerations to be given when carrying them out and standards that relate to these. The methods presented in the current standards will be given consideration and any potential pit falls or methods that may cause spurious results examined.
Infiltration Tests – There are Better Options than BRE 365
Steve Wilson, Technical Director at EPG
This presentation will explore various methods of infiltration testing that are viable (and in some cases better) alternatives to the BRE365 test. Steve will also dispel some common myths around the use of infiltration such as “it cannot be used within 5m of buildings”.
Groundwater in Slopes and its Relationship to Stability
Len Threadgold, Geotechnical Adviser at Geotechnics
Catastrophic landslides and less spectacular ones, are often associated with high rainfalls. However, rainfall is not groundwater until it enters the ground and affects the shear strength of the soils and rocks of which it is composed. Positive porewater pressures reduce the effective stress between soil particles, and hence shear strength, but this applies whether pressure is from above, below or the side of failure surfaces. It is vital that such sources are identified in attempting to understand mechanisms, causes and consequences as well as devising preventative measures or remediation. The presentation will seek to illustrate these elements with reference to case histories.
Stabilisation of Steep Slopes in Saturated Ground using Groundwater Control & Passive Drainage Anchors
Dr Stephen Thomas, Founder, Director and Chair of OGI Groundwater Specialists
OGI’s client was awarded the contract to construct a deep rectangular waste water detention tank in Royton, Greater Manchester. The options of construction were constrained by a number of factors. The geology was highly variable, comprising weak alluvium ground with a high water table, all overlying rock. There were also existing structures present which needed preservation and connection.
OGI’s solution comprised the combination of active groundwater control to lower the water table using a series of suction wells, together with a system of Platipus Anchors which were enhanced with strong wick type passive drains to reduce the pore water within the slope. The stabilisation system was designed by OGI’s in-house technical team with the support of the Finite Element software PLAXIS, which was able to model both the soil and groundwater behaviour. The resulting system enabled safe and stable steep slopes with a batter angle of 60o together with producing a dry working area. This stabilisation system saved the contractor over £250,000 over alternative techniques.
This project achieved the 2018 Ground Engineering Award for Technical Excellence.
Second-Generation Eurocodes – Dealing with the Chemical Effects of Common Groundwater Solutes on Structural Concrete
Chris Raison, Director at Raison Foster Associates
A very brief step through some of the updated rules and requirements of BS EN 1992-1-1:2023, FprEN 1997:2024, other British Standards and BRE SD1, and how AGS members can provide the required input and guidance for assessing groundwater.
Groundwater Extremes Under Climate Change
Dr Majdi Mansour, Groundwater Modeller at the British Geological Survey
Sustained periods of dry or wet weather can lead to excessive lowering of the water table (groundwater drought) or rising of the water table above the land surface (groundwater flooding). Groundwater level extremes have a relatively long duration which exacerbates their impact. The frequency and severity of groundwater extremes in the UK will change in an increasingly warm and variable climate. This presentation will analyse the kinds of changes we expect to see over the 21st century across the UK, drawing on the latest state-of-the-art groundwater forecasts produced at the British Geological Survey.
Whatdunnit (basement failures)
Clive Everett, Technical Claims Surveying Manager at National House Building Council (NHBC)
A Façade Consultant talking about basements! – what could possibly go wrong?
The Whatdunnit basement failure presentation will take the audience through the investigation journey of several residential basement failure case studies, where things were not always what they seemed to be, and where determining the causation became the main challenge.
Challenges of Permeability Assessment for Geotechnical Purposes
Dr Martin Preene, Technical Director at Coffey Geotechnics
Permeability (also known as hydraulic conductivity) is a fundamental parameter in the analysis of many geotechnical processes including consolidation, groundwater inflow to excavations and migration of contamination. Unfortunately, permeability is a challenging parameter to assess; even on a site with a simple conceptual model, permeability values within the dataset can vary by several orders of magnitude. This could reflect geological variability, but is often also influenced by limitations in the various permeability testing methods. This presentation will discuss the available methods to assess permeability values, and propose approaches to allow datasets can be used to develop realistic values for use in design.
Intriguing Observations and their Significance in Groundwater Management
Stephen Walthall BEM, Retired Engineering Geologist
This will be a presentation “from the backwoods”, ie a walk through a number of projects (in career order) where various intriguing observations were made, the investigation and science behind them and their long term significance in understanding the ground. The presentation will combine hydrogeology, engineering geology, geotechnical engineering and construction. These will include such elements as observations made during the long term monitoring of groundwater observation networks, deep borehole packer testing, large scale pumping tests, groundwater modelling and their application to groundwater control during the construction phase.
SPONSORS
GEOSENSE
Geosense is an award-winning UK manufacturer of instrumentation used globally for the design and construction of earth structures, basements, foundations, and linear infrastructure.
Our extensive range of sensors, including vibrating wire piezometers, and data acquisition systems provide reliable, accurate real-time data. With more than 30 years experience, Geosense products have been used worldwide on major projects including HS2, Lower Thames Crossing and Haweswater Aqueduct Resilience Programme (HARP).
AFITEXINOV UK
AFITEXINOV UK LTD is a specialist manufacturer of geosynthetic solutions for over 30 years. Our services are focused on applications such as structural drainage, water barrier linings and soil reinforcement solutions. Our focus industry sectors are in geotechnical applications in public works, environmental projects, residential developments and mining activities.
LANDMARK INFORMATION GROUP
Geospatial data unlocks value in every industry by providing property and environmental insight to help you make the right decisions for your clients. Landmark Geodata offers a range of data products and expert-led services that are informed by decades of experience and designed to give you the clarity to drive every land and property project forward with confidence.
www.landmark.co.uk/geodata-services/
SOIL ENGINEERING
Soil Engineering’s high quality investigation, testing, instrumentation and monitoring services can provide valuable insight into a site’s ground and groundwater conditions. Our grouting capabilities can deliver excellent groundwater control. So talk to us, and explore the optimum combination of our capabilities to de-risk your next project.
BAM RITCHIES
BAM Ritchies are the award winning SMARter Ground Engineering contractor with over 60 years’ experience. We’ve built a reputation as the go-to ground engineering team for complex problem solving and best-value, sustainable delivery – with no surprises. We use industry-leading digital construction methods to stage digital rehearsals. So you’ll know exactly what to expect from your project, and we’ll get it right first time. BAM Ritchies are making possible.
www.bamnuttall.co.uk/groundengineering/
HUESKER
HUESKER is a market leader in the manufacture of geosynthetics. Its products and services provide solutions for business areas such as earthworks and foundations, roads and pavements, environmental and hydraulic engineering. Our range of innovative products makes us an ideal partner for Contractors, Consultants and Clients alike.
i2 ANALYTICAL
i2 Analytical offers extensive analytical services encompassing environmental, geotechnical, water analysis, and air testing for various industries. Complemented by exceptional customer service, i2’s streamlined logistics ensures a timely and reliable collection service. i2 prioritises client needs, delivering accurate results and expert guidance for informed decision-making and regulatory compliance.
GROUNDSURE
Groundsure provides essential data to gain insights on environmental risks for site assessment and development. Built on decades of GIS and mapping expertise, our unrivalled library includes the largest historical land use data, unique datasets, current and historic mapping. Now with groundsure.io, our consultancy and geotechnical clients can integrate site risk data into their project workflow seamlessly and easily.
www.groundsure.com/land-use-data-and-map-packs/
NORMEC DETS
Normec DETS provides leading analytical services for the environmental, construction, waste, fuel and engineering industries and is accredited to ISO 17025 and MCERTS for soils and waters.
Our dedicated team can also provide bespoke reports such as AGS, HWOL and CSV to help you process your analytical data.
ENVIROLAB
Envirolab is an BS EN ISO/IEC 17025 and MCertS accredited laboratory, based in Hattersley, UK. Providing analytical services on soil and water for over 25 years.
Envirolab do not negotiate on quality, the highest standard is set every time.
Contact us on 01613684921 or ask@envlab.co.uk
Speakers
AGS Chair and Technical Specialist: Green Growth and Delivery at the Environment Agency
Vivien is a hydrogeologist with over 26 years’ experience working in contaminated land, specialising in groundwater risk assessment. She recently moved to the Environment Agency where she works on major projects in the Hertfordshire and North London areas. Vivien is the current Chair of the Association of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Specialists.
Director at Geocentrix
Dr Andrew Bond specialises in geotechnical design, software development, and professional training. He is Chair of B/526, the British Standards committee for geotechnics and working on National Annexes for the second-generation Eurocode 7. Andrew was Chair of the Eurocode 7 committee from 2010 to 2019 and was a member of the team that rewrote EN 1990 Basis of structural and geotechnical design. Andrew was the lead author of the highly successful book Decoding Eurocode 7, which he is currently revising.
Technical Manager at Lucion Delta-Simons
Will has worked in the Geoenvironmental industry for over 17 years, and has experience of operating as a Site Engineer in a wide variety of Site scenarios. Throughout these years he has tended to focus heavily on the physical Site side of Geoenvironmental Site Investigation including the determination of groundwater and geohydraulic properties.
Technical Director at EPG
Steve is a Chartered Civil Engineer and Registered Ground Engineering Advisor. He has over 30 years experience in the testing, design and construction of infiltration (soakaway) drainage systems. Steve has extensive practical experience of various methods of infiltration and permeability testing. He is one of the authors of the SuDS Manual and the CIRIA Guide to SuDS Construction.
Geotechnical Adviser at Geotechnics
Len has over 50 years’ experience in geotechnical engineering and site investigation with extensive experience of managing a diverse range of small and large-scale geotechnical investigation projects. He is a Registered Ground Engineering Adviser, panel member of UK RoGEP and was awarded the John Mitchell Medal by the ICE for excellence in geotechnical practice in 2017.
Founder, Director and Chair at OGI Groundwater Specialists
Dr Stephen Thomas has over 43 years of experience in the field of ground, groundwater engineering and management. He delights in developing innovative solutions to overcome major engineering challenges.
Stephen has gained substantial experience from many ground and groundwater projects with over 300 designs of groundwater control, slope engineering & artesian pressure reduction systems. He has over 30 publications in the field of Groundwater Engineering & Control, Construction Dewatering & Recharge, Hydrogeology & Geotechnics, Ground Source Energy & Slope Engineering.
He is a Fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers, an elected member of the Executive Committee of the British Geotechnical Association, and is an Honorary Fellow at the University of Durham. In 2023, Stephen was elected as the Vice-President of the Groundwater Commission of the Portuguese Association of Water Resources. Stephen is an Ironman Triathlete, and has represented the UK in 10 World and European Championships
Senior Principal Engineering Hydrogeologist at Mott Macdonald
With 23 years engineering / environmental consultancy experience, Claire is the Senior Principal Engineering Hydrogeologist within the Metros and Civils division of Mott MacDonald. She is groundwater technical lead for major D&B infrastructure projects in the UK and overseas (including HS2, Tideway, and Crossrail), and asset management clients (including Eurotunnel).
Director at Raison Foster Associates
Chris Raison is the owner and one of the founder members of Raison Foster Associates Limited, a Specialist Geotechnical Consulting company working for a range of Clients varying from Main Contractors, Specialist Piling/Ground Improvement Contractors, Civil and Structural Consulting Engineers. Chris is a current member of the AGS Executive Committee and the Geotechnical Working Group. He is also a member of the British Standards Institution B/526 Geotechnics Committee and has been involved in the development, drafting and technical review of the Second-Generation Eurocode with particular involvement in Clause 6 Piled Foundations.
Groundwater Modeller at the British Geological Survey
Dr Majdi Mansour is a Civil Engineer by training with 22 years’ experience in the field of groundwater modelling and research. His work focuses on the development and application of numerical solutions to study groundwater water resources under changing climate conditions, and investigating the role of groundwater on landslides and coastal erosion.
Technical Claims Surveying Manager at National House Building Council (NHBC)
Clive has 39 years of diverse experience in the construction industry. He has previously worked as Façade Technical Director at LABC Warranty & Premier Guarantee, and Technical Director at Saint Gobain and Façade Director at global multidisciplinary engineering consultancy practices CBRE, Ramboll and Gifford.
Clive has extensive technical knowledge and project management delivery experience. He has supplied solutions to a wide range of complex projects in new build and refurbishment sectors, supporting the residential, commercial, education, and transportation industries.
Technical Director at Coffey Geotechnics
Dr Martin Preene is a Chartered Civil Engineer and Chartered Geologist with more than 35 years’ experience in groundwater control, having worked on projects in more than 40 countries. He is a past Chair of the British Geotechnical Association and in 2021 was awarded the John Mitchel Medal by the Institution of Civil Engineers for Excellence in Geotechnical Practice.
He is the author of more than 80 papers and publications, including a dewatering textbook and several industry guidance documents on the investigation and control of groundwater.
Retired Engineering Geologist
Steve is a Chartered Geologist and a Chartered Scientist with over 50 years of experience in engineering geology, geotechnical engineering and hydrogeology. After working for GI contractors he spent many years as a hydrogeologist responsible for the detailed investigation of water supply aquifers. He then continued his career in geotechnical engineering working on large scale infrastructure projects in the UK, Europe and the Middle East. He is a founder member of the AGS Data Management Group.
Director - Technical and Quality at RSK Geosciences
Georgina is a Chartered Civil Engineer with 25+ years of experience in the water and then geosciences sectors. In 2021, Georgina became Technical Director for RSK Geosciences, overseeing the Technical, Quality and Data strategy for the 350 strong geotechnical and geo-environmental consultancy business. Georgina is a member of the AGS Geotechnical Working Group.
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