UK Project with a Geotechnical Value over £3M
This is for a ground engineering scheme (as a standalone project or part of a larger development) with a contract value of over £3M that stands out in terms of its credentials in innovation, sustainability, health and safety and value engineering.
Arup, Bachy Soletanche and Canary Wharf Contractors
One North Quay: Piling
Bachy Soletanche were contracted by Canary Wharf Contractors to construct a scheme of rotary bored Marine, and Landside CFA piles for Europe's tallest and most technically sophisticated purpose-built commercial lab building, One North Quay. The geotechnical package comprised the installation of 900mm diameter CFA piles, up to 8m into very dense Thanet Sand and 24 rotary bored marine piles between 900mm and 1800mm in diameter, with maximum depths of 38m installed from a barge, the locations of which were strategically positioned around existing piles and obstructions using data obtained from a variety of marine surveys. Extensive testing and instrumentation were used to validate the design and gather data of various types for future schemes and building performance. To support the client’s sustainability targets low carbon steel and concrete were used and equipment powered by mains electricity or HVO. The works were completed on time, within budget and with zero incidents.
Bam Nuttall
South west rail resilience programme: Dawlish to Holcombe cliff resilience phase 4 project
This was a large, technically complex cliff stabilisation project in a geologically sensitive area over 1.2km in nine Cliff Behavioural Units (CBUs) in a harsh marine environment above a live mainline railway. It was undertaken by multiple geotechnical teams working concurrently, suspended from cliffs including subvertical areas up to 40m high, with up to 18 drill rigs working simultaneously to install soil nails and netting to stabilise the cliffs. BAM led a team of specialists, including CAN, Tony Gee and DYWIDAG, working closely with Network Rail to deliver the entire remit safely. Each of the CBUs had different third-party access and ecological issues, and two of the CBUs are geological SSSI all of which required effective stakeholder management. In total 6,200 soil nails were installed totalling 60km in length to programme and to budget whilst saving £7m on the project, and mainline train operations were unaffected during the works.
Cementation Skanska
South Clyde Energy Centre EfW
The South Clyde Energy Centre project demonstrated the significant benefits of early contractor involvement and continuous innovation to address complex challenges. CSL worked closely with Fortum and RPS from the beginning, which facilitated a clear understanding of objectives and allowed for tailored solutions. This collaboration enabled CSL to exceed production rates and complete the piling package ahead of schedule, even with additional work. A notable innovation was the design validation matrix (VDM), which optimized pile lengths, resulting in substantial savings in drilling, concrete usage, and reduced embodied carbon. The successful installation of a large combi-wall further highlighted the team's commitment to sustainability, innovation, and collaboration, ultimately achieving both environmental and commercial goals.
Zublin Ground Engineering
Artificial ground freezing trial at Sizewell C
ZÜBLIN have developed the AGF cut-off wall concept as an innovative and sustainable alternative to conventional cut-off wall techniques using cementitious binder. ZÜBLIN proposed that a trial be undertaken to prove the technical concept and showcase the benefits of the AGF solution. AGF involves freezing water that is naturally present in the ground and does not involve injecting foreign substances into the ground nor extracting from the ground. AGF at Sizewell C is expected to reduce the project’s environmental footprint allowing for a safe and controlled excavation of the 29m deep pit. Implementing AGF has identified savings of up 10 months to the critical path programme when compared to traditional diaphragm wall enclosure.
Jacobs
Birtley to Coalhouse
Construction of up to 12m high approach embankment over 30-40m thick lightly over-consolidated glaciolacustrine strata for a new Allerdene bridge crossing the East Coast Mainline involved major geotechnical challenges. It is demonstrated here how rigid inclusions of varying depth were adopted under the new embankment to provide stability and settlement control to meet the programme and performance requirements. Advanced FE modelling techniques were utilized to optimise the depth profile of the rigid inclusions to achieve the settlement constraints, in particular, adjacent to the bridge abutment and over the high pressure gas main. Pre-construction verification GI and rigid inclusion trials were scheduled to mitigate any design and construction risks. Site-won material was incorporated into the core of the embankment with imported fill surrounding the core. Instrumentation and monitoring played a key role in ensuring safety during construction and to validate the long-term design performance of the embankment.
Keltbray and Wentworth
Salisbury Square development
The Salisbury Square Development is a landmark project in the heart of London, delivering a state-of-the-art facility for His Majesty’s Courts and Tribunal Services, the new City of London Police headquarters, and premium office space. Keltbray, in collaboration with Wentworth House Partnership, successfully delivered the complex construction of a 62,270m3 18m deep basement in a highly constrained site, overcoming significant geotechnical and logistical challenges. Innovative engineering solutions, including bespoke temporary works and sustainable practices like high GGBS cement replacement and reusable propping systems, resulted in over 1,400 tonnes of CO₂e savings. Through close collaboration with project partners and meticulous planning, Keltbray and Wentworth House Partnership delivered this technically demanding project safely, efficiently, and with minimal disruption, setting new standards for sustainable construction within the Built Environment.
Pell Frischmann Consultants
Stabilisation of East Coast Mainline embankment at Browney Curve
The Browney Curve project stabilised a large and complex landslide system disrupting rail traffic on the East Coast Mainline for 150 years. The highly collaborative project was technically complex and state of the art analytical methods were used to refine and optimise the design to provide an economic and permanent solution. The project team overcame significant challenges in the implementation, design and construction of the scheme on an active and unstable slope, as well as ensuring unrestricted rail traffic could continue to use the East Coast Mainline throughout the construction phase. The innovative use of re-purposed non-prime steel pile reinforcement significantly reduced the carbon footprint of the scheme, which together with tree planting, landscaping and habitat creation on the site following completion of the works provides a sustainable solution to a complex project. "
Roughan & O’Donovan Consulting Engineers, Bam-Farrans JV, H&H, Norfolk County Council and WSP
Herring Bridge, Great Yarmouth
Herring Bridge is a new double-leaf bascule bridge in Great Yarmouth. ROD and H&H designed the structure to provide a much-needed third crossing over the River Yare. Norfolk County Council prioritised this infrastructure investment to attract development, create jobs, and improve the quality of life in the seaside community. The centrepiece is a 68m twin bascule opening bridge, spanning between two deep bascule abutments housing tandem hydraulic push-pull mechanisms. The bascule abutments were constructed in deep cofferdams on either side of the river quays, using temporary combi-pile walls, excavated, sealed and dewatered prior to integrating in permanent foundations forming the opening chambers. Savings were achieved in these via ongoing structural design, monitoring and Building Information Modelling tools to combine functionality and reduce piling quantities. The bridge approaches were also constructed using pile-supported platforms and structural systems to install the new transport connections around the existing infrastructure with minimal excavations.
SMP Alliance, Dawson Wam and Van Elle
Smart motorway NEAR piled retaining structures
The National Emergency Area Retrofit (NEAR) programme being delivered for National Highways by SMP Alliance and its supplier partners is adding 150 more dedicated safe places to stop on all lane running motorways. Collaborative efforts between Alliance suppliers DAWSON-WAM and VAN-ELLE has included 24 piled retaining walls. These works have showcased transformative innovation and sustainability while enabling efficient, productive work using advanced techniques ensuring piles were installed in challenging conditions and within extremely tight timescales. Key achievements: First ever reuse of steel sheet piles on a permanent National Highways project, saving 173,300kg CO2 emissions and 11% material cost reduction; 25% reduced steel usage with the patented King Sheet Pile™ system; An innovative pitching arrangement saving £120,000 and two weeks on M1 works; Completing all the piling works in just five months, with an exemplary safety record over 28,000 personnel hours and environmental record; Delivering considerable social value for local communities.
SSE Renewables, Stantec, Cowi, and Strabag
Coire Glas exploratory works
The Coire Glas Exploratory Works was a unique ground investigation which plays a vital role in managing ground risk for SSE Renewables’ proposed Coire Glas pumped storage hydro scheme. Located in remote Highland terrain, options for investigation of proposed caverns 700mBGL and in an area of high geotechnical uncertainty due to the Great Glen Fault were limited. This led to the innovative solution of a 1.2km drill and blast exploratory adit with three drilling galleries from which 1.7km of boreholes were drilled. In-situ tests, seldom carried out in the UK, were used to obtain vital information on in-situ stress and rock mass deformation. Effective collaboration enabled the team to overcome challenges of unexpected ground conditions during tunnelling, in-situ testing in sub-horizontal boreholes up to 280m long, and simultaneous borehole drilling and in-situ testing in a constrained underground environment. Site works concluded with >500,000 hours worked with no lost time incidents.
Graham and Sweco
M2 Junction 5 improvements
The M2 Junction 5 Improvements scheme, completed in 2024 for National Highways, involved significant upgrades to a motorway junction. Notable ground engineering works included raising 660m of dual-carriageway onto an 8-meter-high embankment to create a grade-separated junction, as well three major piled bridges, six reinforced-soil walls, rigid inclusion ground improvement, and several major embankments and cuttings. Two notable elements are the Stockbury Southbound Diverge Bridge and the A249 Flyover Embankment. The Stockbury bridge, designed to prevent settlement of an existing viaduct passing overhead, utilised a three-span flexi-arch arrangement founded on augered piles. The A249 embankment, supported by six reinforced-soil retaining walls, underwent extensive ground improvement to enhance stability. The environmental impact of the flyover, constructed in the Kent Downs National Landscape, was significantly reduced by thoughtful designs incorporating bespoke wall cladding with inlaid flint cobbles and planted slopes to reduce visual impact and waste, contributing to environmental net gain.
Ward & Burke Construction and United Utilities
Royal Oak & Longsight Park wastewater detention tunnel
The M2 Junction 5 Improvements scheme, completed in 2024 for National Highways, involved significant upgrades to a motorway junction. Notable ground engineering works included raising 660m of dual-carriageway onto an 8-meter-high embankment to create a grade-separated junction, as well three major piled bridges, six reinforced-soil walls, rigid inclusion ground improvement, and several major embankments and cuttings. Two notable elements are the Stockbury Southbound Diverge Bridge and the A249 Flyover Embankment. The Stockbury bridge, designed to prevent settlement of an existing viaduct passing overhead, utilised a three-span flexi-arch arrangement founded on augered piles. The A249 embankment, supported by six reinforced-soil retaining walls, underwent extensive ground improvement to enhance stability. The environmental impact of the flyover, constructed in the Kent Downs National Landscape, was significantly reduced by thoughtful designs incorporating bespoke wall cladding with inlaid flint cobbles and planted slopes to reduce visual impact and waste, contributing to environmental net gain.