Ground Investigation Project of the Year

This category is for a ground investigation project that stands out in terms of its credentials in innovation, quality, sustainability, health and safety and value engineering between January 2024 and January 2025. Projects entered into this category should have elements within the design and delivery that were focused on minimising risk from unexpected ground conditions during the construction phase and should be able to demonstrate the steps taken to achieve this. 

Arcadis
A30 Lanivet

This project exemplifies excellence in ground investigation through innovation, sustainability, and collaboration. Arcadis' role in Early Contractor Involvement transformed complex geotechnical challenges into opportunities for innovation. Advanced non-intrusive techniques, such as microgravity, FEM profiling, and GPR, paired with an award-winning excavator-mounted drilling rig, set new industry benchmarks for safety and efficiency. Comprehensive data from integrated investigations ensured risks, including uncharted mineshafts, were effectively mitigated. Collaborative efforts among stakeholders ensured seamless delivery, minimising disruption to the travelling public while maximising value. This submission stands out by addressing significant risks with cutting-edge solutions, delivering high-quality outcomes, and setting a benchmark for innovation and safety, making it a strong contender for this prestigious award

AtkinsRéalis, CCGI and St William Homes part of Berkeley Group
Beckton Riverside, part of the former Beckton Gasworks

A comprehensive geotechnical and geoenivroinmental ground investigation was completed at St Williams’ Beckton Riverside development, at the site of the former Beckton Gasworks. The investigation was designed and implemented by AtkinsRéalis and CCGI. The site is underlain by challenging ground conditions with risks of geohazards including legacy land contamination, below ground historic gas infrastructure, UXO, soft alluvium / peat overlying dipping bedrock, with potential for buried paleochannels, dissolution features, drift filled hollows and faulted bedrock. The ground investigation was developed using a risk-based strategy targeting areas of greatest uncertainty and utilised a combination of drilling techniques to support the design of buildings ranging from 6 to 15 storeys. An innovative approach, leveraging in-house tools to digitise existing data and develop 3D ground modelling, guided the investigation. This facilitated real-time analysis, enabling dynamic scope adjustments, which are now live data-sets for the projects future development programme, over the next 20 years.

Bam Ritchies
Berwick Bank onshore cable GI

BAM Ritchies delivered a high quality GI in Cambois Northumberland early in 2024 and completed geotechnical testing, geoenvironmental testing, monitoring, reporting and decommissioning work at the site by year end. The works and site were highly varied and encompassed a wide range of techniques, with both in house and subcontracted specialists working to deliver the GI. This was all carried out by BAM Ritchies acting as Principal Contractor and managing access with various stakeholders. The project show cased the wide range of ground investigation techniques and work that BAM Ritchies provide safely, efficiently and economically for our clients as well as our ability to manage works outside of the normal boundaries of GI works. An exceptional project delivered by a collaborative team, certainly deserves the recognition that this award would provide. BAM Ritchies and SSE making possible the data gathering for the Net Zero transition.

Central Alliance
Faray wind farm ground investigation

In January 2024 Central Alliance were instructed by Orkney Islands Council to deliver Ground Investigation on the remote and uninhabited Island of Faray. The GI (as designed by Mott MacDonald - MM) comprised Dynamic Sample/Rotary Cored Boreholes Trial Pits, Peat Probes, DCPs, Geotech/Envt Lab Testing, Post Fieldwork Monitoring and Factual Reporting. The results from the GI will be used by MM to inform the design of the turbine bases along with the infrastructure associated with the proposed development. The GI was delivered through May 2024 2023 by a dedicated delivery team which stayed on site until the fieldwork was completed. The GI operations were supported by local suppliers in the form of boat hire, excavators, tractors, water tankers along with the provision of welfare and stores. The support from the local supply chain was fundamental to the successful delivery of the GI.

CGL
Ewer Street, Southwark: A pragmatic approach to investigating railway viaduct foundations

As part of a complex and multifaceted investigation of a railway viaduct, investigation of the arch foundations was required. Due to the congested nature of the site, challenging ground conditions, and potentially variable foundation depths, the adoption of conventional shored trial pits to expose the footings was considered to be cost prohibitive, risky, and uncertain. CGL proposed and implemented alternative methodologies of foundation investigation by using a combination of directionally drilled cores through the foundation with a state-of-the-art rotary drilling plant, and Parallel Seismic Testing. This innovative approach allowed the foundation levels to be proven at between 3m and 8.7m below ground level. Not only may this not have been possible with conventional pitting, but it also significantly reduced costs, programme, risks, and disruption to the existing site tenants; whilst overall being a safer solution. CGL believes this approach demonstrates an attractive solution for deep foundation investigations within congested settings.

CGL
Digital risk reduction of the Argyll OHL ground investigation

An innovative investigation approach combining remote-sensing and ‘traditional’ site investigation has demonstrated improvements in planning, quality and value to clients. The use of LiDAR, InSAR, and radiometric indices has transformed the early investigation phases of the project and adds considerable insight into geological, geomorphological and hydrological hazards. CGL have refined and developed the remote-sensing investigation methods from basic LiDAR slope and aspect modelling through to current iterations of the investigation which include 3D rockfall modelling, debris flow modelling, identification of shallow translational slope failure (peat) areas, and identification and prediction of landslide hazard zones. The upfront concentration of digital ground hazard assessment provides the client with a detailed view of “unforeseen” risks and allows are more effective intrusive investigation to be designed, saving delays to programme, decreasing environmental impact and often provides significant cost-saving for the scheme.

SSE Renewables, Stantec, Cowi, and Strabag
Coire Glas underground ground investigation

The Coire Glas GI was carried out 1.2 km underground in the Highlands of Scotland. It formed part of a £67 million investment by SSE to facilitate the design and construction of the main works for the hydropower project, which is key to meeting the UK’s energy transition and net zero goals. This complex investigation employed innovative techniques, including large-scale plate jacking, underground seismic reflection and advanced drilling techniques through metamorphic rock and faults, generating crucial geotechnical data for the project. With a collaborative team of up to sixteen ground engineers from SSE, Stantec/COWI, STRABAG, and ZÜBLIN, the project achieved a quality GI through a whole-team approach committed to technical excellence, health and safety and sustainability.

Geoquip Marine 
Gennaker OWF site investigation

Geoquip Marine conducted a geotechnical investigation for Skyborn Renewables on the Gennaker OWF in the German Baltic Sea, utilising both PBC and API modes to maximise recovery and efficiency, in a site containing a variety of soil conditions including glacial till and chalk. The use of high-capacity sleeve cones improved CPT performance in the chalk unit and contributed to fieldwork concluding 7 days before schedule. Geoquip Marine’s priority to safety onboard resulted in a successfully completed incident free project, whilst working in shallow waters and in proximity to UXO anomalies. A pro-active, collaborative lab testing campaign was successfully carried out, which included specialist chalk testing preparation methods. These were novel procedures for Geoquip Marine’s onshore laboratory but proved to be considerably successful. This innovation and organisation resulted in a highly effective campaign, and the submission of the final factual report 47 days earlier than contracted.

Mott MacDonald
ABP future Port Talbot

The Associated British Ports, Future Port Talbot project will create a base in South Wales to manufacture, assemble, commission and store floating offshore wind turbine components for installation in the Celtic Sea. The site circa 3,900,000 m2 (390ha) plan area is located on the south Wales coastline and has had a long history of industrial development dating from around 1836 to the present day, with most recently steel production at the Port Talbot steel works. The marine and landside ground investigations support the rejuvenation of this, a complex site with extensive environmental, heritage and ground investigation constraints. A collaborative team approach to delivering the investigation, accommodating environmental and heritage challenges and changes to scope to be implemented within the original programme period of 8 weeks and with a cost within 5% of the tender cost of circa £3.65 million.

Mott MacDonald
River Tyne restoration facility GI

A multi-faceted marine ground investigation to support a project aiming to address the detrimental effects of legacy mining activity in the North Pennines on the River Tyne and associated economy. Aligning well with UN Sustainable Development Goals 8 and 9. The planning of this investigation required the compilation and coordination of survey requirements from Geotechnical Engineers, Marine Ecologists, Contamination Specialists, Geomorphology Consultants and Archaeologists. This was delivered to great effect with geophysical and intrusive survey phases to allow the multiple survey techniques to provide data for several of the disciplines, saving cost and carbon. A close working relationship between key contacts at Mott MacDonald and Causeway Geotech Limited allowed the contractor to make quick progress in fair weather and calm tidal conditions, whilst safely navigating the conditions brought by Storm Darragh in December 2024.

LEAP Environmental part of RSK Geosciences
Former MOD site investigation

The project comprised a detailed intrusive investigation using various techniques across a complex former MOD site within a stringent timeframe and budget, demonstrating excellent collaboration between disciplines. With complex hazards including UXO, ecology, radiological, buried structures, solution features and the logistical challenges for a site over 75 Ha, careful planning ensured the investigation was both efficient and sustainable, whilst maintaining the health and safety of all personnel. The extensive works completed allowed for thorough geotechnical and geoenvironmental analysis of the site, improving understanding of the ground model to reduce the need for over-excavation of materials during the development phase, refine foundation design and minimise the environmental impact, whilst protecting end users of the proposed development. The project's success highlighted effective teamwork, meticulous planning, and a commitment to sustainability in the face of complex constraints.

Soil Engineering Geoservices
Glenmuckloch energy

A seven-month programme of ground Investigation and Monitoring to inform critical path design elements of a 1600MWh capacity Pumped Storage project was delivered successfully through collaboration, a practical and team-centric approach to problem solving, and a determination to achieve the desired technical outcomes in the face of logistical and geological challenges. In-works reactive rescoping allowed intrusive techniques to be optimised for unforeseen ground conditions, whilst shared experience and understanding supported improvements to onsite access arrangements without compromising safety or environmental impact. Cored boreholes of up to 100m depth through backfilled mine waste, coal seams and a complex sedimentary succession, paired with detailed logging by engineering geologists and in situ testing provided key inputs for the project’s evolving 3D geological model.

Soil Engineering Geoservices
Spiorad na Mara

Despite highly restrictive transport links to this remote site, challenging ecological and environmental requirements, and the need to engage positively with the local community in a short project window, Soil Engineering , Northland Power and Arup delivered a very successful Ground Investigation at Spiorad na Mara. Suites of insitu testing complemented high-quality coring and logging, delivered using specially adapted plant to minimise access disruption and environmental impact. A conscious effort to maximise local spend saw a significant proportion of the project’s budget spent with local suppliers, whilst a combination of detailed logistics planning and coordinated use of digital technology overcame the remoteness of the site to deliver key offsite activities on time.