Civil Infrastructure

N4 Collooney to Castlebaldwin | Lagan Asphalt

/in /by

Project Title: 

N4 Collooney to Castlebaldwin | Lagan Asphalt

Location:

Collooney to Castlebaldwin, Co. Sligo

Client:

Roadbridge Ltd

Date:

July 2021

Business Sectors: 

Construction, Asphalt Pavement

Services (Technical Disciplines):

Asphalt Pavement using Real Time Digitisation Technology

Project Objectives/ Outcomes:

Lagan Asphalt have just completed the pavement works on the N4 Dual Carriageway Castlebaldwin to Collooney Project. Despite the latest lockdown in Q1 Lagan managed to meet the Main Contractor program and complete for the STAYCATION summer holiday period!

Always striving to improve, Lagan have embraced the latest available technology and have installed Highway Data Systems (HDS) autonomous Quality Assurance System on the project. The HDS bespoke Etec system is linked to the Lagan weighbridge which extracts the dispatched docket information and transmits to the control unit at the laying operation. This gives full traceability of material placement location, delivery and rolling temperature information. Lagan Technical staff can periodically review real time information on site whenever they require it.

In addition, the Voelkel Navigator Roller System has been fitted to two brand new Hamm HD90+ rollers. This system records complete roller movements through GPS from the start of the shift right throughout the day. This innovative quality system gives the roller operator real time compaction data to ensure the full pavement area receives the required number of roller passes and compaction. Both systems are monitored from HDS Headquarters in Hertfordshire in the UK, with data been sent direct from the machines on site in Sligo, with regular updates coming back to the Lagan Asphalt Technical team on a regular basis. The significant benefits to our work practices for Quality, Environmental and Health & Safety are very substantial

Our Role:

Pavement Contractors

Geoscience Ireland Contact:

Paddy McHugh (paddy.mchugh@breedongroup.com)

A55 Mammal Tunnel | GDG

/in /by

Project Title: 

A55 Mammal Tunnel | GDG

Location:

Abergwyngregyn,Wales

Client:

Welsh Government

Date:

Ongoing

Business Sectors: 

Civil Infrastructure

Services (Technical Disciplines):

Design

Our Role:

Gavin and Doherty Geosolutions (GDG) has been asked to take part in this project. In particular, the work includes the construction of two tunnels under the A55 to allow for the safe passage of wildlife. GDG’s expertise in structural design and engineering will be key to developing the new tunnels, which will offer a considerable improvement in safety to road users and wildlife.

A suitable design and construction method for these tunnels must be developed, to take in to account the geotechnical formation of the areas, as well as the structural requirements of the tunnel and the road. GDG will also use its skills and experience to analyse the possibility of overhead ground movement, and the possibility of flooding.

With a strong background in geomechanics and applied geotechnical research, GDG brings together state of the art research and direct industry experience and is in a position to offer its unique engineering design experience to the construction of the tunnels. Work with Road and Rail networks, slope and embankment monitoring, design of shafts and tunnels for sewerage infrastructure and other, extensive experience in this field, makes GDG the optimum choice for this project.

Project Objectives/ Outcomes:

The A55 between Abergwyngregyn and Tai’r Meibion is a stretch of well-known road with a history of difficulties including congestion, pedestrian safety, and animal safety – with traffic incidents often being a mixture of all three issues. The A55 in this area is now undergoing significant improvement work to address the concerns, upon request from the Welsh Government.

Geoscience Ireland Contact:

Jack Walsh, Bid Manager (jwalsh@gdgeo.com)

Large Scale Topo and Utility Surveys | Murphy Geospatial

/in /by

Project Title: 

Large Scale Topo and Utility Surveys | Murphy Geospatial

Location:

United Kingdom

Client:

Skanska Costain STRABAG JV (SCS JV

Date:

2019-2021

Business Sectors: 

Civil Infrastructure

Services (Technical Disciplines):

  • Subsurface Investigation
  • Topographical Surveys

Our Role:

Murphy Geospatial successfully delivered this large contract for the HS2 project, which will increase rail capacity and connectivity across the country, connecting London, the West Midlands, Manchester and Leeds.

The brief was to support one of HS2’s principal contractors, Skanska Costain STRABAG Joint Venture (SCS JV), which is delivering the 26.4km London section of HS2’s journey from West Ruislip to its southern terminus in Euston.

The project required topographic and utility surveys to help the design of utility diversions needed for the new railway line’s construction. The area of survey is one of the most complex as it’s close to central London with high levels of pedestrian and vehicular traffic.

Following several site visits and meetings, we rearranged the schedule to take account of feedback raised by the public and local stakeholders. This included:

  • Planning and splitting scoped works to make sure road diversions were kept as short as possible, minimising disruption to the local communities
  • Considering the local infrastructure, such as scheduling works near schools during school holidays, and those near shops at night-time or early morning, again taking into consideration the needs of the public
  • Liaising closely with local authorities and SCS JV to keep lane closures and bus stop and parking suspensions to a minimum
  • Planning closures and suspensions on a nightly or daily basis instead of large or lengthy closures which would affect residents and traffic flow
  • Produced a detailed risk assessment and method statement for each site, including traffic management to ensure the works could be carried out safely, with minimised risk and disruption
  • Provided a detailed programme of works, in accordance with the contract and NEC3 requirements, which was regularly updated and communicated to the project manager

Project Objectives/ Outcomes:

A detailed 3D topographical and subsurface model was required by the main contractor, Skanska Costain STRABAG JV (SCS JV), working on the HS2 state-of-the-art, high-speed rail line – the UK’s biggest infrastructure project.

Geoscience Ireland Contact:

David Graham (dgraham@murphysurveys.ie)

London Gateway MT Park | ByrneLooby

/in , /by

Project Title: 

London Gateway MT Park | ByrneLooby

Location:

Stanford-le-Hope, UK

Client:

Charles Brand

Date:

Jan 2020 – Sept 2020

Business Sectors: 

Water Resources/Civil Infrastructre

Services (Technical Disciplines):

Design

Our Role:

ByrneLooby’s multidisciplinary team of geotechnical and engineering experts undertook the following role: intricate design of the landside infrastructure at the terminal including pavement and drainage design, foundation design for lighting and CCTV towers. We also provided the following consultancy services: Geotechnical Advisor on settlement analysis, and design and value engineering support during construction phases. Construction started on this exciting project in October 2019.

A large proportion of the site was formed by reclamation and ground conditions which comprised of significant deposits of dredged infill, with near surface soils of low stiffness and high compressibility. To improve the near surface soils to facilitate improvement to lighting tower foundations and pavement design, ByrneLooby specified and verified ground improvement by High Energy Impact Compaction (HEIC) prior to pavement construction.

Given the high imposed pavement loads relative to the propose use, a relatively thick CBGM layer (470mm thickness) was required as determined by pavement design. This entailed placement of CBGM in dual lifts, and as such ByrneLooby defined and monitored a rigorous testing and verification strategy, inclusive of extensive trials, to ensure monolithic performance of the CBGM layer. This allowed the use of CBGM pavement solution, providing significant savings in both cost and program over an alternative Concrete Slab solution.

Project Objectives/ Outcomes:

ByrneLooby were appointed as lead designer for civil engineering company Charles Brand on a £9.5m contract to build the London Gateway commissioned by DP World, one of the world’s leading logistics firms. The London gateway development is located on the north side of the Thames Estuary and is a state-of-the-art deep-sea port & Logistics Park with rail terminal. A new empty container yard for the port will provide six hectares of empty container stacking area. The project comprises 80,000 m3 of bulk excavation and a heavy-duty pavement, comprising cement bound macadam with surface finishes of grouted macadam and block paving.

Geoscience Ireland Contact:

Siobhan Warfield – marketing@ByrneLooby.com

Alumina Offloading Deep Water Pier Extension | ByrneLooby

/in , /by

Project Title: 

Alumina Offloading Deep Water Pier Extension | ByrneLooby

Location:

Sakhir, Bahrain

Date:

Sept 2018 – December 2020

Business Sectors: 

Marine & Coastal Engineering – Piers

Services (Technical Disciplines):

Construction Supervision, Contractors Support, Monitoring, Project Management, technical assistance

Project Objectives/ Outcomes:

An alumina operator in Bahrain was expanding its smelter operations with a sizable CAPEX investment making the project one of the largest brownfield developments in the region. Due to this expansion, the operator needed to increase the import of raw materials via its existing port facility. The upgrade included the demolition of an existing warehouse, the construction of two large silos and the expansion of the existing jetties to accommodate and unload 60,000-ton Panamax alumina vessels.

ByrneLooby added value for the client by recommending an alternative solution as outlined in the preferred bid. This consisted of installing 2 VSUs on the upgraded Jetty 2 which allowed speedier loading times for the 60,000-ton Panamax vessels, hence optimising the required works. Furthermore, ByrneLooby reviewed all technical submission for the proposed marine works (including upgrade of Jetty 1 and 2) according to the relevant codes and in line with the client’s expectations.

Our Role:

ByrneLooby was appointed as the Engineers Representative (ER) to provide technical assistance and construction supervision services of all civil and marine-related elements for the Alumina Pier Extension.

The teams scope included various elements some of those being reviewing and approving designs for all marine construction drawings (pier extension and access trestle), along with the construction drawings for the onshore structures (silos and conveyor system) which form part of this contract.

Through initiatives led by ByrneLooby site personnel, the team was able to lead design value-engineering exercises to reduce construction times and eliminate interruptions to the berthing and offloading operations of the client’s vital material offloading at the port.  ByrneLooby also conducted daily site inspections during the construction phase to ensure compliance with approved drawings and approved design standards.

Geoscience Ireland Contact:

Siobhan Warfield – marketing@ByrneLooby.com

River Dargle Flood Defence Scheme | JB Barry & Partners

/in , /by

Project Title: 

River Dargle Flood Defence Scheme | JB Barry & Partners

Location:

Wicklow, Ireland

Client: 

Bray Town Council

Business Sectors: 

Civil Infrastructure

Services (Technical Disciplines):

The Scheme comprised of a variety of flood defences including construction of new sections of earth embankments, demolition and rebuilding of river walls with extensive stone and timber/timber-type facing, channel excavation and regrading, and river bank strengthening. A range of landscape treatments in and adjacent to the river are proposed to mitigate the impacts of the scheme on the local environment along the river corridor.

Project Objectives/ Outcomes:

The purpose of the scheme was to protect the town of Bray, County Wicklow from flooding from the River Dargle. The Works consisted of the design and construction of flood defences, river widening and regrading along the lower reaches of the River Dargle.

The works extended over approximately 3.3 km of the river from the N11 Bridge to the DART Harbour Bridge. The flood defences were required to provide protection against a 1 in 100 year fluvial flood and 1 in 200 year tidal flood. The Works also included the design and construction of 7mx4m culvert adjacent to Bray Bridge, the only vehicular bridge in Bray Town, to act as a fourth arch to the bridge.

Geoscience Ireland Contact:

Kieran O’Dwyer (kodywer@jbbarry.ie)

 

Cherry Orchard Residential Development | Fehily Timoney

/in , /by

Project Title: 

Cherry Orchard Residential Development | Fehily Timoney

Location:

Dublin, Ireland

Client: 

MDY Construction Ltd.

Business Sectors: 

Environment, Civil Infrastructure

Services (Technical Disciplines):

Environmental Assessment

Project Objectives/ Outcomes:

Previous site investigations including limited environmental sampling for soils had been undertaken prior to the commencement of construction activities. which suggests the material would be classified as Non-Hazardous. This testing frequency was not be considered to be adequate in accordance with the relevant codes of practice to allow classification of the materials at the site.

Due to the limited environmental sampling undertaken to date, FT deemed that further environmental assessment of soils at the site during construction was required to determine the suitability for reuse and categorisation of the waste status of material to be removed from site for disposal.

Our Role: 

FT supervised and managed intrusive investigations and soil/made ground sampling program to complete a comprehensive assessment of the contaminative status of soils/made ground at the development. This included analysis of laboratory testing, completion of generic risk assessment and recommendations for material reuse or disposal options for materials at the site.

Geoscience Ireland Contact:

Tom Clayton (tom.clayton@ftco.ie)

 

Clonakilty Flood Relief Scheme | Rubicon Heritage

/in /by

Project Title: 

Clonakilty Flood Relief Scheme | Rubicon Heritage

Location:

Clonakilty, County Cork

Date:

2020

Client: 

Ward and Burke Construction

Business Sectors: 

Civil Infrastructure

Services (Technical Disciplines):

  1. Provide archaeological consultancy and advice to the Design Team during project planning.
  2. Provide all required archaeological supervision and services (Survey, monitoring and excavation) required during construction.

Project Objectives/ Outcomes:

  • Understand and characterise the archaeological environment of the proposed flood relief scheme.
  • Minimise the impact of the development on the archaeology through effective mitigation strategies
  • Preservation by record of any archaeology likely to be impacted by the scheme

Heritage assets and their significance were highlighted to the design team in order to allow them to make an informed decision on the preferred design in relation to heritage. As part of the process of preparing the Cultural Heritage Chapter of the EIA we produced a Mitigation Strategy which provided a strategy for facilitating development within a tailored programme of archaeological work in order to mitigate the impact of the development on known and potential archaeological remains.

Our field teams recorded all known archaeology in advance of construction and monitored construction works in order to identify any previously unidentified archaeological sites. We excavated four disturbed burnt mounds in Miles townland to the west of Clonakilty, within the impact of the Fluvial Storage Area, including a stone-lined trough.

We found remains of the earlier quay wall at Deasy’s Quay, but no trace of the shipyard visible on the historic maps. At Kent Street we found a cobbled surface outside the Fire Station which likely related to the old Fish Market – present on the site until the 19th century and we assisted with survey and recording during the process to number, deconstruct, store and rebuild a portion of the old market wall which is incorporated into the fire station structure.

Our Role: 

  • Cultural Heritage Constraints Study
  • Design Options Appraisal
  • Cultural Heritage Chapter for EIA
  • Historic Building Recording
  • Archaeological Monitoring
  • Archaeological Excavations
  • Post-excavation analysis and Reporting

Geoscience Ireland Contact:

Colm Moloney (colm.moloney@rubiconheritage.com)

Luas Cross City extension, Geospatial management | Murphy Geospatial

/in /by

Project Title: 

Luas Cross City extension, Geospatial management | Murphy Geospatial

Location:

Dublin City

Client: 

Sisk Steconfer JV

Business Sectors: 

Civil Infrastructure

Services (Technical Disciplines):

  • Survey
  • Engineering
  • Geospatial Data Collection

Project Objectives/ Outcomes:

This critical piece of urban infrastructure links up two existing light rail corridors in Dublin city centre comprising of 5.9km of new track, 13 new stops and associated works. Murphy Geospatial were the Geospatial Managers for the entire project working in partnership with the Sisk Steconfer JV. Geospatial certainty throughout the life cycle of the project, managed reliably by an experienced Murphy Geospatial team, was a key reason this project was delivered on time and on budget.

Our Role: 

Murphy Geospatial played a critical role in the success of the project, delivering surveying and engineering services during the design and construction phase. Our Head of Digital Construction, Michael Durnin, acted as Chief Surveyor with SS JV and oversaw every aspect of survey and geospatial data collection including establishing the control network, all setting out works, deformation monitoring and subsurface mapping.

Early engagement and collaboration during the pre-construction phase was the key to success. Murphy Geospatial strong and trusted relationship with the Sisk Group over years of working together was also instrumental.

Technical sensor driven solutions were used to automate the data capture process. Compared to more traditional methods this reduced risk, cost and optimised efficiency. Data management workflows were also integrated into the project which increased on-site efficiency and productivity.

Challenges during the project included TII’s construction specifications. 1mm relative change over 1m of track was an extremely tight tolerance for rail construction. 1:60,000 linear accuracy and 5√k for control are both very difficult to achieve in a heavily urbanised environment and in phased construction works.

The specification also included localised variables for paving under tight constraints where real-time decisions against design were made by the setting out teams.

Despite facing tight constraints and the challenges of such a large and complex site, the survey works were completed to a high standard in line with the specification.

Key Construction Statistics

  • Total single line track: 13.4km
  • Total weight of the tracks: 1,520 tonnes
  • On street, concrete track bed and shoulders poured: 13,600m3
  • Total ducting and pipes under the surface: 178,000m
  • Projected total man hours to complete SSJV works: 3 million hours

Geoscience Ireland Contact:

Dave Graham (dgraham@murphygs.ie)

Bridgwater Tidal Barrier Phase 2 Ground Investigation | Causeway Geotech Ltd

/in , /by

Project Title: 

Bridgwater Tidal Barrier Phase 2 Ground Investigation | Causeway Geotech Ltd

Date:

September to December 2019

Location:

Bridgwater, Somerset, England

Client: 

The Environment Agency / BAM Nuttall

Business Sectors: 

Environment (Flood Defence)

Services (Technical Disciplines):

The completion of land and overwater ground investigation works, including cable percussion boring, rotary drilling, static cone penetration tests and trial pitting. Overwater works were completed off a jack-up barge, with a series of temporary floating walkways installed from the riverbank to allow access and egress to the working platform at all states of the tide.

Project Objectives/ Outcomes:

Causeway Geotech were appointed by BAM Nuttall Ltd on behalf of the Environment Agency to carry out land and overwater ground investigation works for provision of geotechnical and environmental information to characterise ground conditions at the site of the proposed Bridgwater Tidal Barrier for input to the design and construction phase.

The success of this project relied heavily on good communication between all parties; works carried out under the supervision of a full time Site Agent and two designated Site Engineers (1 land and 1 marine) from Causeway Geotech.

The River Parrett feeds the Bristol Channel and has the second highest tidal range in Europe; bespoke access solutions were required to ensure overwater works could continue uninhibited.

The contract was completed on time and on budget to the satisfaction of all involved stakeholders.  The construction phase is due to commence in Q3 2022 following public consultation.

Our Role: 

This was an Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) where the Principal Contractor (BAM Nuttall Ltd) appointed Causeway Geotech on behalf of their Client (Environment Agency) with the scheme Designer (Jacobs UK) acting as Investigation Supervisor.

The scope of works included:

  • 4 overwater boreholes by cable percussion boring and Geobor S wireline follow-on coring
  • 4 overwater Cone Penetration Tests
  • Overwater works conducted off a C5 jack-up barge
  • 12 land-based boreholes by a combination of cable percussion boring and Geobor S wireline coring
  • 14 boreholes by dynamic sampling methods
  • 29 land-based Cone Penetration Tests
  • In-situ testing including packer tests, HPD tests, borehole permeability tests and indirect CBRs by DCP
  • 40 trial pits by mechanical excavator
  • Factual ground investigation report.

Geoscience Ireland Contact:

Darren O’Mahony (Darren.omahony@causewaygeotech.com)

GSI Logo DCCAE Logo
DFA Logo EI Logo