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Harrison Group Environmental operates to Building Information Modelling (BIM) level 2. – an overview of our capabilities follows.

 

Keynetix Holebase data management systems are used to manage and report all of our site investigation and laboratory testing. Holebase is synchronised with AutoCAD and uses raw AGS format data to store and share data. This can be delivered to designers for further enhance BIM modelling and development of projects.

 

By using Holebase SI, it presents us with the ability to use AGS4 and with the integration of CAD CIVIL 3D enables sections and modelling of ground conditions with respect to their location, depth, geology, condition, laboratory test results, field screening and observations. All the data collected can be provided to consultants and contractors on an ongoing basis, or on completion, as preferred.

 

We have the experience to incorporate GIS data and extrapolate/ incorporate across different digital formats and media. Information from the on-site logging of soil samples is input into Holebase SI and the data is analysed and interpolated to build a picture of the prevailing ground conditions.

 

With our in-house capabilities of Computer Aided Design, (CAD) we are able to create 3D and 2D ground model representations. We have experience of using CADMAP 3D and CIVIL 3D (AutoDesk and AutoCad).

 

In addition to this we use the PAS 1192-2:2013 (Incorporating Corrigendum No.1) Specification for information management for the capital/delivery phase of construction projects using building information modelling.

 

We consider that we are well-placed and have the capability to train and accommodate BIM as a fairly straightforward additional and complementary expansion of our services.

 

Recent examples of incorporating BIM data as part of our services include:

• Providing clients with AutoCAD civils data which can be directly incorporated into their BIM.
• Providing details of made ground / depths of water-table enabling clients to carry out 3D modelling of their intended structures.
• Ground modelling of land fill to provide information earthworks for cut and fill exercises.
• Provision of Civils data clients which can be used for their own BIM purposes.

 

Run Norwich is a 10-kilometre road race, organised by Norwich City FC Community Sports Foundation (CSF).

 

This year’s run on Sunday 7th August saw over 4,200 runners take to the city centre streets and pass some of Norwich’s most iconic landmarks.

 

It is a unique event in Norwich for runners and spectators, with music and entertainment at the start and along the route.

 

The event supports local causes and, in addition to CSF, runners are encouraged to fundraise for other chosen partner charities.

 

We are pleased to say that Harrison Group staff – Jon Archer, Ed Orchin & Matt Goldspink completed this year’s event. It was a great effort and well done to one and all!

 

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CL:AIRE has recently published the Joint Industry Working Group Asbestos in Soil and Construction & Demolition (C&D) Materials guidance titled “Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012: Interpretation for Managing and Working with Asbestos in Soil and Construction & Demolition materials: Industry Guidance (shortened name CAR-SOILTM)”.

 

The document is available to download free of charge at www.claire.co.uk/asbestos

 

Designers of soakaways should take a more holistic approach to site investigation, including consideration of contamination and ground risk, according to the 2016 update of BRE Digest DG365 Soakaway design.

 

Jon Archer, Principal Geoenvironmental Engineer at Harrison Group Environmental, said: “While pollution was mentioned in the 2007 edition of the guidance, it was not part of the site investigation recommendations. In contrast, the new publication states: ‘Prior to designing the soakaway, the potential for contamination on the site needs to be established’. It also recommends that remedial measures need to be included in design.”

 

John added that the new guidance emphasises the importance of desk studies, stating they are preferred even for smallest developments. “It recommends ‘local’ advice is sought on ground and slope stability risk, including flooding- and wash-out-induced settlement, and that these need to be considered in the design,” he said.

 

“It is clear that developers and their design teams must ensure they commission comprehensive site investigations when designing soakaways,” John continued. “This should include a desk study, a well-planned and targeted ground investigation, plus insitu and laboratory testing. Data gathered can be used to develop a ground model that will help mitigate design risk.”

 

According to the introduction to the new edition, Digest 365 is one of the most widely used BRE publications. It describes design and construction procedures for soakaways and explains how to calculate rainfall design values and soil infiltration rates, along with design examples.

 

The new edition replaces BRE Digest 365 (2007) and includes recommendations from the Environment Agency on climate change and consideration of 1 in 100 year flood events.

 

BRE Digest 365 (2016) can be purchased from the BRE Bookshop (www.brebookshop.com). Harrison Group Environmental has extensive experience in delivering site investigations for developments across the UK; for geotechnical and contaminated land advice, please contact us on 01603 613111 or email info@harrisongroupuk.com

 

Harrison Group were very pleased to have sponsored this event entitled Risk & Reward held on 17 May by the Norfolk Constructing Excellence Club.

 

The session looked at how to identify unfolding difficulties and prevent them developing into crises, whilst at the same time considering them as opportunities.

 

It was run by Dr Elmar Kutsch, a Senior Lecturer in Risk Management at Cranfield School of Management. This is a particularly pertinent topic for us as of course our business is predicated on analysing geotechnical and environmental risks in construction.

 

Close to 100 members and guests attended the event and the inspiring presentation was followed by a wide-ranging and informative discussion.

 

Norfolk Constructing Excellence Club is committed to improving the business performance of its members by focusing on innovation and best practice through collaborative working and supply chain integration.

 

Membership of the Norfolk Construction Excellence Club is multi discipline with professionals from across the entire built environment sector and all levels are welcomed from Apprentice to Managing Director.

 

Members are attracted from Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridge; and events are designed to be thought provoking and to provide valuable CPD to promote better ways of working within a challenging industry.

 

For more information visit: http://www.norfolkconstructingexcellence.org.uk/

 

Harrison Group Environmental co-hosted a visit of representatives from Malta’s construction industry to the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) in Norfolk last month, as part of its work to help improve construction industry practice in the country.

 

David Harrison, Chairman of Harrison Group Environmental and Managing Director of the company’s Maltese operation, explained Malta’s Building Industry Consultative Council (BICC) had recently introduced a skills card system based on the CITB’s Construction Skills Certification Scheme, as part of a drive to raise quality and health and safety standards of the country’s construction sector.

 

“We have been working in Malta since 1989,” David said. “As well as providing geotechnical and geoenvironmental support to construction projects, we have been working with the Maltese government to improve the way public works and construction projects in general are carried out.

 

“We arranged the tour of the CITB facility at Bircham Newton to show the delegates from the BICC and the Malta Business Network the training resources available to the UK construction industry. It was also a great opportunity to introduce CITB to a potential market for its world-leading training support services.”

 

Harrison Group are pleased to announce that our recent work for Morgan Sindall at RAF Mildenhall – Building 582 contributed to them receiving ‘Perfect Delivery’ for the overall project.

 

It is our ethos at the Harrison Group to work very closely with clients on all of our projects. Such positive feedback is welcomed by us and we look forward to our continued working relationship with them again in the future.

 

Harrison Group Environmental is building on its reputation for providing quality geotechnical and geoenvironmental services for clients in the Cambridge area by opening a new office in the city.

 

The new office will be open for business from 1st January 2016 and will be headed up by Principal Engineer Jon Archer. He commented:

 

“We have been working for developers, housebuilders, contractors and consultants in Cambridgeshire for many years. Having an office here will mean our experienced staff are closer to our clients, enabling us to respond quickly and efficiently to their requests. It should also help us to build our business in Cambridgeshire and the surrounding areas.”

 

Harrison Group’s services include

• Site and ground investigation
• Geotechnical assessment
• Soil testing in our UKAS accredited laboratory
• Contaminated land advice
• Environmental monitoring
• Environmental permitting
• Health impact assessment for residential, commercial, industrial and agricultural projects

Location of the new office is:
Harrison Group Environmental

Future Business Centre

Kings Hedges Road

Cambridge

CB4 2HY

 

Tel: 01223 781585

email: cambridge@harrisongroupuk.com

 
We will continue to provide the same high level of service to all of our clients throughout these changes. We also look forward to working with clients both existing and new, from this local base in Cambridge.

We are very pleased to announce that the independent Harrison Group soil testing laboratory has once again been re-accredited by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) to ISO/IEC 17025:2005.

 

The laboratory carries out a comprehensive range of physical testing methods of soil and rock.

 

Our continued commitment to providing the testing services that our clients require has lead to the company recently investing in new equipment for the laboratory. As a result of this, we have expanded the range of testing services that we have to offer.

 

This has also resulted in an increase in the number of samples that can be dealt with at any one time. This is pivotal in delivering a successful service to our clients where results are dispatched in the minimum of time.

 

The new accreditation will be in place until 2019 and we look forward to working with clients requiring the services of our laboratory – both old and new – in the future.

 

A Revised version of BS 5930 (BS 5930: 2015, “Code of Practice for Ground Investigations”) has been published in August 2015 which replaces the previous 1999 version.

 

BS 5930 has underpinned ground investigation practice in the UK and abroad since its original publication in 1981. The subsequent 1999 revision was an update to reflect the ongoing evolution of investigation methods.

 

Since then there have been two major amendments 2007 and 2010) to incorporate the requirements of EN standards related to Eurocodes, specifically the standards associated with EN1997-2, in sampling, testing and soil and rock description.

 

BS 5930:2015 presents an update on the requirements for the investigation of sites in order to assess their suitability for construction and to identify the characteristics of a site that affect the design and construction of the project.

 

Apart from changing the title from ‘site’ to ‘ground’ investigations, readers might not see much change in the content.

 

However, the revised standard does update best and current practice, accommodate EN ISO standards and has been reorganised to reduce repetition.