TRM 6

TECHNICAL REFERENCE Rev 5

MANUAL Date 6/05
Civil & Structural
Page 1 of 3
GEOTECHNICAL DESIGN CONSULTANCY

INTRODUCTION

Project Life Cycle refers to the company engineering policy set out in TRM G1.02. For structural
and civil engineering this includes the requirement to obtain guidance and advice from WSP
Geotechnics (WSPG) before embarking upon any concept or detailed designs for groundworks to
minimise the risk of PII claims on the project. This TRM explains the approach to geotechnical
analysis, and should be read in conjunction with TRM 7 Procurement of ground investigations.

WSPG SERVICES AVAILABLE

Desk Study/ Feasibility Study/ Geotechnical Risk Assessment

These are generally desk based assessments which are undertaken using available documents for
the site. This can include archive libraries, British Geological Survey, local councils, Environment
Agency and other published data. It may also be supplemented by a walkover survey when
particular site features can be noted, such as fly tipping, waterlogged ground, evidence of slope
instability etc. Currently there are a number of databases that can be interrogated to provide much
of this data. The desk study serves to determine the site historical and environmental setting and
can also be extended to form the core information for an environmental risk assessment.

The engineer should specify the scope of the study. A desk study should be completed on all
significant projects. It will highlight site risks that may not be picked up by an intrusive
investigation alone. A desk study can also ensure a ground investigation is designed effectively.

Reference should be made to TRM 3 Preparation of desk studies as a check list for the content of
the study.

Ground Investigation

These may be procured either In house or externally. In both instances WSPG will need to be
involved in the process of tendering the investigation. Guidelines for the procurement of ground
investigations are set out in TRM 7.
.

Geotechnical Design Report

For WSPG to provide a design report the project engineer must specify, preferably at ground
investigation design stage, the particular design information required. This is outlined in the
following section.

In addition, it is necessary for the project engineer to advise on the level of detail required. For
example, whether information is required for detailed design, such as geotechnical design
parameters, or just for planning purposes. This will ensure that the correct level of detail is always
included in the report and also that unnecessary time and money is not spent on providing surplus
information.

The contents of this report will need to be incorporated into the overall design report for the

WSP Group
 TRM 6
TECHNICAL REFERENCE Rev 5
MANUAL Date 6/05
Civil & Structural
Page 2 of 3
GEOTECHNICAL DESIGN CONSULTANCY

project, see TRM 4.

Geotechnical Analysis

It is Group engineering policy that WSPG advise and provide the geotechnical analysis leaving the
project engineer to complete the structural designs. Nevertheless, the structural engineer should
understand the geotechnical approach, and consider structure-soil interaction aspects.

Construction Monitoring

WSPG are able to offer a resident engineer service during the construction phase. The service
provided includes monitoring performance of contractors, review of contractors’ method
statements, and reviewing in-situ test data, all to ensure compliance with specifications.

WSPG can also offer the provision and review of specialist movement monitoring. This is
sometimes required when construction adjacent to movement sensitive structures must be
monitored and controlled to satisfy third parties.

The project engineer should specify to WSPG whether this service and the level of input is
required so that an accurate cost can be assigned to it.

Ongoing advice

WSPG can provide geotechnical advice at all stages of a project. In particular WSPG can attend
construction meetings, review contractor’s designs and review method statements. The project
engineer should specify whether this service is required so that an accurate cost can be assigned
to it.

Completion Report

On certain projects a final report is required which summarises the construction work undertaken
and serves as an as-built record to verify that construction has been completed in accordance with
specifications and complies with regulations. This is usually required by regulatory bodies such as
the Environment Agency, NHBC, local authorities, Highways Agency etc, and is sometimes
required by clients for divestment purposes. WSPG can provide this service in conjunction with
the Resident Engineer Service, and this particular requirement should be specified by the Project
Engineer.

WHAT INFORMATION DO WSPG REQUIRE?

Not all of the services offered by WSPG will be relevant to every project. Therefore, when
procuring WSPG services the specific project requirements and programme must be provided to
ensure that a cost effective service is provided.

The project engineer should not only confirm the particular project requirements for which advice or
design analysis is required but also describe the project in sufficient detail. This could include the
following:

WSP Group
 TRM 6
TECHNICAL REFERENCE Rev 5
MANUAL Date 6/05
Civil & Structural
Page 3 of 3
GEOTECHNICAL DESIGN CONSULTANCY

ƒ Basements: type of construction.

ƒ Whether soakaways are needed for drainage.
ƒ Site terrain, especially sloping ground.
ƒ Proposed design of industrial ground floors, external hardstandings and/or road
pavements, including imposed loading.
ƒ Any earthworks to be undertaken, such as embankments, general earth filling or other
surcharging.
ƒ Detailed environmental risk assessment, including eg natural habitats of creatures or
vegetation.
ƒ If the site is of historic or archaeological interest.
ƒ Whether as-dug material is needed for properly compacted fill.

In all cases the engineer must specify the level of detail required, whether it is preliminary advice
or detailed assessment for design/construction purposes.

WSPG COSTS

The cost of the specialist advice given by WSPG will need to be agreed and allowed for within the
project fees and allocated a work order. WSPG involvement in projects has demonstrated a
significant reduction in PII claims and has also been found to be a more cost effective approach to
the design of the ground works.

FURTHER READING

TRM 3 Desk study preparation

TRM 4 Design reports

TRM 7 Ground investigation procurement

TRM G1.02 Engineering policy - civil/structural

Project Life Cycle

KEYWORDS

Engineering policy, geotechnical analysis, contamination, ground investigation,

Author (6/05 rev) John Brighton, GTC

Sponsor Group Technical Centre
Revision record
6/05 Rev 5, updated and re-titled.

WSP Group