Geotechnical Support, Industrial Facility Development
Introduction:
We are appointed as specialist consultants by the Invertek and their Design Team to undertake an assessment of the potential geotechnical hazards for a large extension to the existing Invertek factory and warehouse in Welshpool.
Our work has involved several phases which included SAB compliant infiltration investigation to allow the relocation and appropriate sizing of sustainable drainage features (SuDS) and detailed geotechnical Desk Study and Ground Investigation to enable design of new buildings and concrete slabs, which were to support high level racking, and specification for backfilling of histrocial drainage features.
We added significant value through our knowledge of the local ground conditions gained during a decade of assessment of most development plots within the wider 12 hectare Offas Dyke Business Park.
Details:
The development of the wider Offas Dyke Business Park is a Welsh Government scheme as part of regional development works in Powys. Over the last decade we have been involved in the site investigation and assessment of most of the development plots, covering some 12 hectares.
We have been involved with the schmeme for a long time and due to this existing good working relationship we were asked to return and provide further services for the extension works.
As part of this ongoing commission, Invertek Drives asked us to undertake an investigation and assessment to assist in the design of geotechnical and drainage aspects for a proposed large extension to the existing warehousing/fabrication facilities.
Our site investigation has included trial pits, large scale infiltration testing, dynamic cone penetrometer testing to derive CBR values, plate load testing and laboratory testing.
- Over several phases we were appointed to undertake a SAB compliant infiltration investigation to allow the relocation and appropriate sizing of sustainable drainage features (SuDS). This was followed by a detailed geotechnical Desk Study and Site Investigation to enable design of the proposed extension buildings and associated slabs, which were to support high level racking, and specification for backfilling of former drainage features.
- Current and ongoing works include Plate Load Tests in areas of extension, and where former drainage features were backfilled, to allow refinement of the foundation and floor slab design.
- Our assessment was undertaken in line with good practice documents such as BS5930, BS10175, BRE365 and BS 1377:1900 – Part 9.
- The Conceptual Ground Model identified the development area to be underlain by a cover of Made Ground associated with the former Invertek building construction, followed by Glaciofluvial Fan Deposits and the Stone House Shale bedrock formation.
- Our understanding of the development and ground conditions was aided by our work on most development plots within the wider 12 hectare Offas Dyke Business Park.
Based on site specific ground data and knowledge from adjacent works, we were able to provide detailed and considered information to allow refinement of the project design brief and implementation. In keeping with the ongoing client requirements, we continue to provide specialist support through the assessment of Plate Load Testing as each stage of the development is constructed/progressed.