Services From the surface down
Ground investigations
Investigations are designed to suit the site and the proposed development. They may be phased and their purpose is to:
- allow development design and cost options to be estimated
- satisfy the various regulators (Local Authority, Environment Agency, financial institution)
The risk management approach
GRM identify development risks, assess their potential impact on client expectations, design, discuss and advise on mitigation options, obtain regulatory approval and verify that risks have been dealt with. We will not over-investigate a site; whilst more information can usually allow reductions in financial risk, eventually these risks can be transferred from the client to other such as contractors or insurers.
How we carry out our ground investigations
Ground investigation is carried out in a number of different ways, starting with desk-based studies to check previous uses of the site and its known geology and site walkovers to check for features inside and outside the site which may influence the ground.
Based on the design of the planned development and the potential hazards we've identified, we plan our detailed ground investigation to gain the information we need to assess the risks. This work might include bore holes, trial pits, groundwater and landfill gas monitoring and rock, soil and chemical testing.
The outcome of the ground investigation is a report fully detailing the hazards and recommended solutions. GRM will help implement this on-site and provide a site inspection team to ensure that recommendations are carried out.
Why ground investigation can return value to your project
We can often demonstrate that a contaminant or obstacle is not a hazard, so for the client, a small investment in ground investigation can return many times its value in terms of cost savings. When contaminated ground requires remediation, our geotechnical engineers, geologists and geo-environmentalists will recommend containment, removal or monitoring.
The ground investigation will reveal the make-up of the ground and its hazards, so we know what will affect buildings and what will not, enabling us to provide the client with very specific foundation specifications, again creating savings for the client.
Read our case study "Adding a million pounds of value"
Surface down services
Site investigations and geotechnical services
- Desk studies involving the review of readily available information and walkovers for initial site assessments.
- Planning and supervision of ground investigations.
- Review and comment on geotechnical reports prepared by others.
- Ground investigations including: bore holes, trial pits, in situ testing, etc, with factual and interpretative reporting of revealed information.
- Monitoring of groundwater and landfill gases.
- Description and preparation of logs by qualified Geologists to the BS5930 standard.
- Implementation and specification of soil, rock and chemical testing programmes.
- Geotechnical advice and design.
Environmental services
- Ground hazard and feasibility reports.
- Environmental audits
- Site Waste Management Plans.
- Recommendations for remediation of contaminated or derelict land.
- Evaluation and investigation of landfill sites.
- Waste Management & Minimisation resource re-use, recycling and disposal.
- Environmental Training contaminated land, waste management and environmental awareness.
- Interpretative reports of analytical data.
- CQA of landfill sites.
- Monitoring of landfill gas, ground water and leachate.
- Remediation and preventative recommendations.
- Second opinions and assessments of existing information.
- Project management of reclamation schemes.
- Risk analysis and assessments.
Mining reports and subsidence investigation
- Mining reports for areas that are underlain by abandoned mine workings.
- Review of mining abandonment records and plans.
- Subsidence investigations for loss adjusters acting on behalf of insurance companies.
- Risk assessment for areas affected by past or future mineral extraction.
- Design and supervision of remedial schemes.
- Ground investigations suitable for determining likely causes of structural distress.
Geotechnical and topographical surveying services
- Geophysical profiling to gain information on depth to bedrock and other geological variations.
- Detection of voids and cavities including mine workings, sink holes, natural caverns etc.
- Detection of buried objects including; pipelines, underground tanks, old building foundations etc.
- Ground water explorations including water table investigation and pollution monitoring.
- Landfill site information including lateral extent and fill thickness.
- Site and land surveys.
- Development and foundation setting out.
