Civil Infrastructure

Geoscience Ireland (GI) welcomes Infrastructure Action Plan

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Geoscience Ireland (GI) welcomes the publication yesterday by Government of the Accelerating Infrastructure Report and Action Plan. The Plan is a coherent and progressive element of recent policy initiatives by Government to address Ireland’s critical infrastructure deficits, following on from the creation of the Accelerating Infrastructure Task Force, the formation of a Joint Oireachtas Committee on Infrastructure and the introduction of an Infrastructure Division within the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
Implementation of the Plan will require detailed coordination across state and semi-state agencies which GI is pleased to note firm commitments in the Plan in that regard. 

Anber Engineering Services Rail Project KSA

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Project Geotechnical Design for Jubail Railway Station, Saudi Arabia
Date

 

 August 2025
Location

 

 Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Client

 

 Saud Consult
Business Sectors

 

 Rail Infrastructure
Services (Technical Disciplines) Geotechnical and Civil Engineering design
Project Objectives/ Outcomes

 

 

 The project forms part of Saudi Arabia Railways’ (SAR) programme to expand and modernise passenger rail in line with Vision 2030, providing passenger connectivity between Dammam, Jubail Industrial City and Ras Al Khair.

 

The new passenger railway station in Jubail Industrial City will serve Jubail 1 industrial area, Jubail 2 industrial area and link Jubail city with the current rail network for both freight movement and passenger travel.

 

The main features of the project are:

 

§  A main station building, pedestrian tunnel, platforms on retaining walls and earthworks slopes.

 

§  Parking, access roads, ticketing facilities, guard house, fuel and generator facilities, and underground pump tanks.

 

§  A diversion of the existing rail track into the new station and provision for future facilities (e.g. fire station).

 

Key technical outcomes of Anber’s work included:

 

  • Characterisation of challenging ground conditions: loose to very loose sabkha sands overlying stiff/hard silts and clays, with a high groundwater table within 1–2 m of ground level and associated liquefaction risk.
  • Identification that, in the natural ground, settlements for major structures (station, service building, tunnel, main retaining wall) would exceed allowable limits and that some foundations did not meet required factors of safety in bearing capacity.
  • Development of allowable bearing pressures for each structure (with and without ground improvement) to guide structural design.
  • Design of 9m high retaining walls for platform support
  • Slope stability analysis to confirm safe embankment slopes meet the required factors of safety when protected with 200 mm aggregate erosion protection.
  • Practical recommendations for excavation and dewatering in loose, saturated soils, including guidance for deep excavations at the underground pump tank and measures to manage buoyancy.

 

Overall, the study provided a clear, risk-based geotechnical framework that enables safe, buildable foundations, stable earthworks, and durable pavements for the station development.

 
Our Role

 

 Anber Engineering Services was engaged by Saud Consult to deliver a complete Geotechnical Design Report (GDR) in support of the architectural and structural design of the Jubail Passenger Railway Station.

 

Anber’s scope of work included:

 

§  Reviewing and integrating two geotechnical investigation campaigns (36 boreholes, in-situ testing, extensive lab testing) into a coherent ground model and geological cross-sections for all key structures and earthworks.

 

§  Defining design soil parameters, settlement and bearing capacity correlations, and acceptance criteria, based on international best practice and Royal Commission (RC) standards.

 

§  Performing detailed bearing capacity and settlement analyses for major and minor foundations, and summarising performance against agreed criteria.

 

§  Developing a ground improvement strategy and performance specification (stone column zones, target settlements, bearing pressures, angular distortion limits) suitable for tendering to specialist contractors.

 

§  Providing design recommendations for roads, car parks and earthworks, including fill types, compaction criteria, proof-rolling, and CBR requirements.

 

§  Supporting structural and civil design teams by supplying allowable bearing pressures, subgrade reaction moduli (Ks), and slope stability outputs for direct use in structural models and detailed design.

 

Through this assignment, Anber helped de-risk foundation and earthworks design on a challenging sabkha site, ensuring that the railway station can be constructed safely and perform reliably over its design life.

 
Geoscience Ireland Contact

 

 niamh.mcgrath@anbereng.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FLI Precast Turns Power Plant Byproduct into Low Carbon Innovation

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Project From Ashes to Concrete: Trinity College Dublin and FLI Precast Solutions Turn Power Plant Byproduct  into Low-Carbon Innovation

 
Date

 

 June  2025
Location

 

 FLI Precast, Co. Carlow
Partners

 

 Construct Innovate, Bord na Mona
Business Sectors

 

 Precast Concrete Manufacturing
Services (Technical Disciplines)

 

 Concrete Science and Manufacturing
Project Objectives/ Outcomes

 

 
  • Utilize biomass ash as a resource:
    Transform the biomass ash byproduct from Edenderry Power Station into a valuable material for concrete production.
  •  Reduce carbon emissions in concrete production:
    Develop low-carbon and carbon-free concrete alternatives by:

·       Partially replacing Portland cement with biomass ash.

·       Completely eliminating Portland cement through geopolymerization using biomass ash and metallurgical slag.

  •  Demonstrate performance and scalability:
    Ensure that the newly developed concrete solutions maintain high performance while achieving up to 51% reduction in carbon emissions, making them practical and scalable for real-world construction.
  • Support Ireland’s carbon neutrality and circular economy goals:
    Align with national sustainability targets by promoting circular economy practices—reusing industrial byproducts in construction—and reducing reliance on high-carbon materials.
  • Foster industry collaboration and adoption:
    Partner with FLI Precast Solutions and other industry stakeholders to pilot, refine, and expand the use of this sustainable concrete technology across Ireland’s construction sector.
  • Advance sustainable construction innovation:
    Set a new benchmark for eco-friendly construction materials and encourage broader adoption of greener technologies through research, development, and demonstration.

 
Our Role

 

 ·       Collaboration on research and development:
FLI Precast worked closely with Construct Innovate and Trinity College Dublin researchers to test and apply the biomass ash-based concrete formulations in real precast concrete products.·       Providing industry expertise and validation:
As a specialist in precast concrete, FLI Precast helped ensure that the developed materials met practical performance standards and could be integrated into existing manufacturing processes.·        Supporting sustainability goals:
The company aligned its corporate vision with the project’s aims by actively participating in the development of sustainable, low-carbon concrete solutions. Their involvement demonstrated a commitment to environmental responsibility and innovation.·       Enabling real-world implementation:
FLI Precast’s participation helped bridge the gap between laboratory research and market-ready products, contributing to the project’s success in demonstrating scalability and practical feasibility. 
Geoscience Ireland Contact

 

 Luke O’Connor

loconnor@flipreacst.com

Photo shows

FLI Precast Manufacturing Facility, Co. Carlow, Group photo with production team, Sara Pavia & Dr. Zehao Lei (Trinity College Professor and Phd student), David McDonnell (Batching & Lab Manager, FLI Precast) & Luke O’Connor (FLI Precast Chartered Structural Engineer)

 

Mincon DTH Waterhammer & Spiral Flush Casing System

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Location: Ireland and Scotland

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Templemore Flood Relief Scheme

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Project River Mall Flood Relief Scheme
Date

 

 2017-2024
Location

 

 Templemore, Co Tipperary, Ireland
Client

 

 Office of Public Works (OPW)
Business Sectors

 

 Civil and Environmental Engineering
Services (Technical Disciplines)

 

 Feasibility and Environmental Studies, Project Design and Implementation
Project Objectives/ Outcomes

 

 

 Diversion of the existing River Mall in Templemore town along a newly created river channel (through greenfield and brownfield sites) approximately 850m in length. The Scheme design also included for the construction of several field and road culverts, embankments and widening of the existing river channel. This project saw the inclusion of approximately 160 individual biodiversity enhancement components in the Scheme.

The Project won the Environmental Engineering Project on the Year at the Engineering Excellence Awards in October 2024
Our Role

 

 TOBIN worked closely alongside the OPW throughout this project’s lifecycle from assisting with the initial feasibility studies, completing various environmental assessments, completing an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and Natura Impact Statement (NIS), undertaking public and statutory consultation, preparing detailed engineering designs and more recently as Ecological Clerk of Works throughout the multi-year construction phase (2017-2024).

 
Geoscience Ireland Contact

 

 Allison Murphy Allison.Murphy@tobin.ie

 

Supervision of Design/Build of Sumbawanga – Matai – Kasanga Port Road (112km)

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Project:

Supervision of Design/Build of Sumbawanga – Matai – Kasanga Port Road (112km)

Location:

South West Tanzania, Lake Tanganyika Region, Tanzania

Client:

Government of the United Republic of Tanzania

Business Sectors:

  • Roads

Services (Technical Disciplines):

  • Construction Supervision

Project Objectives/Outcomes:

Consultancy services for supervision of the upgrading of 112km of gravel trunk road to bitumen standard under a Design / Build contract under FIDIC Conditions of Contract. The main construction constituents of the road include: Double surface dressing treatment (20mm and 10mm chips); 150mm thick crushed rock base course; 200mm Class C1 stabilized sub-base natural gravel; 150mm thick G:15 natural gravel sub-grade layer; various new bridges, box culverts and pipe culverts. Supervision of Matai Town Roads urban construction included, pavement, relocation of utilities, town drainage, footpaths.

Our Role:

  • Preliminary Design Review
  • Detailed Engineering review of Design and Documentation
  • Topographic Survey and Hydrological Review
  • Site meetings
  • Construction cost control and financial forecasting
  • Material testing and QA control
  • Measurement and IPA evaluation
  • Drainage culverts/structures
  • Detailed project reporting
  • Implementation and Management of project Q/A system throughout the contract
  • Construction Supervision Services
  • Progress Monitoring, Financial Management, and Claims Management
  • Final Measurement of completed Works and Provisional and Final Acceptance of Works
  • Construction supervision and contract administration under FIDIC Conditions of Contract as the “Engineer”
  • Supervision of Matai Town Roads (Urban)
  • Supervision of maintenance activities after construction for 36 months.

Geoscience Ireland Contact: Michel Davitt – mdavitt@nodwyer.com

FLI Water WWTPs – Co. Wicklow

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Project:

MEICA and Civil works including Precast Concrete Tanks for a bundle of WWTP in Co Wicklow

Date:

2016-2018

Location:

County Wicklow

Client:

Irish Water & Wicklow Co Co

Business Sectors:

Water MEICA & Civil Infrastructure

Services (Technical Disciplines):

FLI Water completed refurbishment works at Kilpedder, Kilcoole and Redcross WwTP Co Wicklow as part of a 3 bundle upgrade works for Irish Water. The work consisted of the assessment, design, supply, installation, testing and commissioning of a range of Mechanical, Electrical, Instrumentation, Control and Automation.

Project Objectives/Outcomes:

All three projects required a diverse range of upgrading, to achieve compliance and meet increased capacity flows. In each site, FLI Water and its subcontractors undertook all electrical, mechanical, automation/control, building, civil engineering work, and any other work necessary for the successful completion, commissioning, and testing of the finalised work.

Our Role:

Design, Manufacture and Installation, test and commissioning involving several subcontractors

Geoscience Ireland Contact: mflynn@fli.ie

Mincon – Crown Bridges Light Rail Project, Heksinki, Finland

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Project:

Crown Bridges Light Rail Project

Date:

2021-2027

Location:

Helsinki downtown to the expanding suburbs of Laajasalo and Kruunuvuorenranta,

Client:

City of Helsinki, YIT Suomi Oy, NRC Group Finland Oy, Ramboll Finland Oy, Sweco Finland Oy and Sitowise Oy. The contractors for the overall Crown Bridges contract are YIT Suomi Oy and Kreate Oy.

Business Sectors:

Civil & Geotechnical Engineering

Services (Technical Disciplines):

Drilling in sensitive and complex ground conditions comprising steep topography, granitic rock and soil embankments; deployed M-Wall ring bit casing system  using patented Spiral Flush technology, allowing control of  high pressure DTH drilling in sensitive ground conditions.

Project Objectives/Outcomes:

The Crown Bridges Light Rail (Kruunusillat) project is one of the biggest infrastructure projects in Finland in recent years. When the projected is finished in 2027, a total of three new bridges, including a 1,200-metre-long bridge that will be the longest one ever built in Finland, will connect Helsinki downtown to the expanding suburbs of Laajasalo and Kruunuvuorenranta, shortening the travel distance from 11 km to 5,5 km. This new scenic route is designed for light rail and pedestrians only, encouraging people to use public transport and travel by bicycle.

Our Role:

Construction started in 2021 and Mincon’s drilling expertise has played a significant role, using Mincon’s patented Spiral Flush technology.

Geoscience Ireland Contact: christovangemert@mincon.com

Mincon plc

Dam Site Investigation by Mincon in Finland

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Project:

Melo Dam Renovation

Date:

2022

Location:

Melo Hydroelectric Powerplant, near Noika, Finland

Client:

PVO-Vesivoima Oy & KFS Finland

Business Sectors:

Civil & Geotechnical Engineering

Services (Technical Disciplines):

Drilling in sensitive and complex ground conditions comprising steep topography, granitic rock and soil embankments; deployed M-Wall ring bit casing system  using patented Spiral Flush technology, allowing control of  high pressure DTH drilling in sensitive ground conditions.

Project Objectives/Outcomes:

Successful remediation of water seepage through the 140m long dam using a watertight steel pipe-pile wall.

Our Role:

Specialist drilling and piling contractor ; geotechnical collaborator

Geoscience Ireland Contact: christovangemert@mincon.com

Mincon plc

NICHOLAS O’DWYER – Lusaka to Ndola Dual Carriageway, (T002/T003)

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Project

Design Review of Approximately 321km of the Lusaka to Ndola Dual Carriageway, (T002/T003) including bypass roads in Kabwe and Kapiri Mposhi and 45km of the Luanshya-Fisenge-Masangano Road

Location

Lusaka – Ndola, Zambia

Client

National Road Fund Agency

Business Sectors

Roads

Services (Multidisciplinary)

  • Preliminary Design

Our Role: 

  • Review of previous designs
  • Field investigations
  • Review of Design of Main Contractor

Project Objectives/ Outcomes

The project section of the Road starts from Lusaka and stretches an estimated distance of 321km to Ndola. The project also covers works for construction of bypasses in Kabwe and Kapiri Mposhi and the construction of the Luanshya to Fisenge to Masangano Road. The road section is now earmarked for upgrading to bituminous standard.

 

Geoscience Ireland Contact | Michel Davitt <mdavitt@nodwyer.com>

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