| Phase I Desk Studies The desk Study is an essential first stage in the investigation process. GeoDyne will obtain information on the ground conditions, search local libraries and obtain archived material where required. A walk over of the site is a vital part of the desk study and GeoDyne only employs qualified geotechnical and geo-environmental engineers to undertake all aspects of the desk study. We do not believe in wasting time and money and will not carry out unnecessary searches; we will identify the need for special searches such as coal mining, radon/gas and petroleum licensing officer enquiries etc. |
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| Ground Investigations on a variety of ‘Greenfield’ and ‘Brownfield’ sites GeoDyne will undertake bespoke investigations targeted at important issues associated with your development proposals. GeoDyne’s engineers have vast knowledge and experience to review and revise the investigation as works progress always ensuring the right information is ascertained. Our advice is clear and presented in an easy to read report that can be understood by both technical and non-technical alike. GeoDyne can issue reports in electronic format if required. |
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| Earthworks, Design, Supervision and Validation As more development occurs on ‘brownfield’ sites, sloping ground or areas of soft ground there is a need to look at innovative and cost effective ground stability options. GeoDyne has designed and implemented earthworks to provide suitable bearing strata to allow the use of shallow foundations on previously unstable ground. These include the design of earthworks to support a ground bearing industrial slab for a large cold store warehouse and earthworks design incorporating excavation, crushing, grading and replacement of Made Ground to support shallow raft foundations for residential dwellings. GeoDyne also supervise and validate on-site activities to ensure the works comply with the specification and obtain regulatory approval upon completion. |
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| Slope Stability Assessment Sloping ground can be unstable, potentially resulting in ground movement affecting foundations. GeoDyne can assess the stability of slopes using observational and analytical techniques to determine the risk of future movement. GeoDyne carry out site investigations on sloping ground using a variety of methods (i.e. trial pitting, boreholes, laboratory testing and in-situ borehole monitoring with inclinometers and piezometers) to determine the soil parameters necessary to carry out realistic slope stability analysis. |
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| Foundation Design Fewer sites are being developed on ‘greenfield’ land where ground conditions permit the use of shallow strip foundations. As more marginal sites become developed there is a greater need to design alternative foundation solutions which, while being technically robust and suitable to obtain Local Authority/NHBC approval should also be a cost efficient solution to satisfy the client needs. It is easy to recommend the use of piles where poor ground is present, however GeoDyne’s experienced and qualified engineers constantly strive to find innovative and cost effective foundation options for the client. GeoDyne are also committed to investing in training of engineers to ensure that they are aware of advances in available foundation solutions in order to offer the client the best service possible. Foundation solutions successfully proposed by GeoDyne include the use of various ground improvement techniques (VCC’s, VSC’s, lime/cement stabilisation, dynamic compaction) in addition to piles, rafts, piers, wide reinforced strip/trench fill and combinations of techniques as appropriate. |
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| Landfill Gas Monitoring and Assessment Hazardous ground gases (i.e. methane and carbon dioxide) can be generated from former or existing landfill sites, buried organic material or Made Ground, and may migrate through the ground to a site resulting in the potential for explosions or other risks to human health. The presence of hazardous ground gas at a site may require the adoption of ground gas protection measures in buildings, and is therefore a potential abnormal development issue that must be considered as part of the investigation of a site. GeoDyne will undertake ground gas monitoring at a site (if required), sampling and gas chromatography analysis, modelling and risk assessment to enable the design of appropriate gas protection measures in buildings. GeoDyne also have the capability to design and implement bespoke ground gas remediation programmes for a variety of sites, including actively gassing landfills. |
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| Remediation Design and Validation The design of an appropriate remediation solution for soil and groundwater will follow our main assessment, and is typically detailed in our Remediation Method Statement Report. GeoDyne will design a remediation programme for a site taking into consideration the contaminants present, site setting, time and cost constraints, regulatory requirements and end use, and the method will be chosen from the full range of options available including on-site or off-site disposal and physical, biological and chemical techniques. GeoDyne are also in regular contact with specialist remediation contractors, and we monitor emerging remediation technologies and legislation that may be applicable to sites so we can offer our Clients the most up to date and informed advice. |
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| Groundwater Monitoring and Assessment The position of the groundwater table is a fundamental consideration prior to any redevelopment and building construction at a site and needs to be taken into account when recommending foundation designs and assessing allowable load bearing capacities. The potential risk of any chemical contamination impacting underlying groundwater also needs to be considered, given that groundwater and surface waters are designated as “controlled waters” under the Water Resources Act (1998). Initial assessment of the impact to groundwater is generally carried out as part of the monitoring procedure, providing an opportunity for sampling and testing of the groundwater chemistry. In the event of groundwater contamination being identified, it may be necessary to carry out a detailed site-specific groundwater risk assessment. Geodyne has the capability to undertake such assessments, following the Environment Agency’s P20 Risk assessment methodology, which can be carried out as a tiered approach and inclusive of site-specific modeling parameters. This enables factors of dilution and attenuation to be effectively modeled. In the event of gross groundwater contamination being identified, GeoDyne also partners with a number of key groundwater remediation contractors to deliver bespoke groundwater remediation schemes. |
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| Contaminated Land Risk Assessment/Remediation Contaminated land investigation and assessment was historically undertaken with reference to the Interdepartmental Committee on the Redevelopment of Contaminated Land (ICRCL) Guidance Note 59/83 ‘Guidance on the assessment and redevelopment of contaminated land’ (1987). However, this was superseded by the Publication of the Contaminated Land Exposure Assessment (CLEA) Model in January 2002 which published seven Soil Guideline Values (SGV’s). GeoDyne is fully conversant with the current CLEA model, together with the Scotland and Northern Ireland Forum For Environmental Research (SNIIFER) Framework and the BP RISC 4.0 model (which has been reconfigured by GeoDyne to take account of exposure parameters, toxicology and fate and transport assumptions consistent with Part IIA of the Environmental Protection Act. GeoDyne has considerable experience in Detailed Quantitative Risk Assessment (DQRA) which is utilised to deliver cost effective, transparent, technical robust and environmentally acceptable remediation solutions for a variety of Clients. |
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