Month: June 2024

On June 5th, Martyn Brocklesby, Director at Geotechnical Engineering Limited and the British Drilling Association, delivered an insightful presentation at the AGS Early Careers Webinar Series on Drilling Techniques and In Situ Testing.

During his session, Martyn provided a comprehensive overview of various intrusive ground investigation techniques, including drilling, boring, sampling, and trial pitting. He emphasized the practical applications of these methods and their suitability for different ground conditions.

Martyn also addressed crucial health and safety considerations from a supervisor’s perspective, discussing competencies, plant and equipment requirements, and compliance with PUWER and LOLER regulations. He highlighted the limitations of these techniques and the importance of proper supervision.

Additionally, Martyn explored the interfaces with the British Drilling Association, showcasing available resources such as the BDA website, newsletter, and guidance documents. He shared the Association’s aims and aspirations, underscoring its commitment to advancing the field of geotechnical engineering.

For more information on the British Drilling Association and its resources, visit their website.

Every year, over 14,000 service leavers transition to the civilian job market through the Career Transition Partnership. These individuals bring a wealth of transferable skills, including leadership, adaptability, and exceptional communication abilities, homed in high-pressure environments.

At Geotechnical Engineering, we are proud to employ nine veterans and are actively seeking to expand this number, alongside increasing representation from other underrepresented societal groups.

We are excited to announce that Geotechnical Engineering has signed the Armed Forces Covenant and is now eligible for the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Bronze award. This prestigious scheme includes bronze, silver, and gold awards for organizations that pledge, demonstrate, or advocate support for the defence and armed forces community.

As part of our corporate and social responsibility initiatives, Geotechnical Engineering is committed to achieving ERS Bronze employer status in 2024. We look forward to continuing our support for veterans and making a positive impact in our community.

We are thrilled to announce that Geotechnical Engineering Limited (GEL) has secured a place on the Canal and River Trust’s Geotechnical Inspection Framework. This achievement allows us to provide essential ground data across the Trust’s managed assets in England and Wales.

Lyndon Barton, Managing Director of Geotechnical Engineering Limited, expressed his enthusiasm: “We are delighted to be supporting the Canal & River Trust on this framework to help manage and maintain 2,000 miles of canals and rivers, reservoirs, the country’s third largest collection of protected historic buildings, and four world heritage sites. We look forward to sharing a collaborative relationship with the Trust for many years to come.”

John Ward, the Trust’s Head of Project Delivery, highlighted the importance of our services: “Our canals and rivers are used by more people than ever before, with over 35,000 boaters using the networks. The services Geotechnical Engineering provides are critical to ensuring we meet the current and future needs of the 13 million people that have access to our waterways, within a 10-minute walk from their home.”

The Framework has been awarded to GEL, alongside two other successful bidders, for an initial period of up to four years, with a potential four-year contract extension available.

We are thrilled to announce that our Principal Engineering Geologist, Edward Crimp, has been elected as a Chartered Geologist with The Geological Society.

The scrutineers praised Ed for his dedication to training younger staff members and his exceptional efforts in sharing his knowledge. They noted that Ed was an extremely strong candidate and will make an excellent Chartered Geologist.

Below is a recent photo of Ed conducting a soil and rock logging course for British Geotechnical Association Early Career Group (BGA ECG) delegates at Imperial College London, showcasing his expertise and commitment to educating the next generation of ground engineering professionals.

We are thrilled to announce that Geotechnical Engineering Limited has been named a finalist for the ‘Ground Investigation Project of the Year’ at the Ground Engineering Magazine Awards. This recognition is for our outstanding work on the Lincolnshire Reservoir Gate 3 Ground Investigation project.

Anglian Water is planning a new reservoir in Lincolnshire to ensure future water supply. The project includes an embankment enclosing a 2.5 km by 3.2 km area, along with other reservoir structures. Our ground investigation was crucial to confirm the technical feasibility, inform environmental assessments, and address stakeholder concerns.

We look forward to celebrating the achievements of the ground engineering sector alongside our industry peers in June!

Neil Parry, Technical Director, has played a pivotal role in developing a new guidance note on procuring ground investigation services using the NEC contract suite. Collaborating with industry experts Richard Patterson, Peter Higgins, Antony Drake, and Sergio Solera, Neil has helped create a comprehensive guide to streamline the procurement process for ground investigation contracts.

NEC contracts are versatile tools designed for various types of work within the built environment. This new guidance note provides detailed advice on implementing NEC contracts specifically for ground investigation services, addressing the unique requirements of these contracts.

Given the physical nature of ground investigation work, the guidance recommends using one of the NEC “works” contracts, such as the Engineering and Construction Contract (ECC) or the Engineering and Construction Short Contract (ECSC). While the Professional Service Contract (PSC) may be suitable for desk studies, guidance, and reporting, it is not appropriate for site works.

For straightforward ground investigations, the ECSC is recommended. For larger, more complex, and higher-risk projects, the ECC is the preferred choice.

This guidance note aims to ensure that ground investigation services are procured efficiently and effectively, supporting the successful delivery of projects within the built environment.