Civils, Utilities & Infrastructure
GROUND IMPROVEMENT WITHOUT DISRUPTION
How advanced ground engineering reduces disruption and environmental impact
When ground instability arises, excavation has traditionally been the default solution for contractors seeking to restore structural integrity within commercial and infrastructure assets. While effective, these methods can introduce significant disruption, lengthy project timelines and substantial environmental impacts.
Here, Adam Thomas, infrastructure engineering manager at ground engineering specialist Geobear, discusses how advanced ground engineering techniques can improve efficiency across construction projects.
As pressure to reduce environmental impact grows, infrastructure projects are increasingly scrutinised for their significant engineering footprint. The UN Environmental Programme identified the construction sector as one of the largest contributors to carbon emissions, with material production, transportation and heavy machinery all contributing to the industry’ s footprint.
Traditional ground engineering techniques
When infrastructure and commercial assets require maintenance, issues are traditionally addressed through excavation. These methods remove defective material and rebuild affected areas with heavy machinery, stabilising foundations with cement and concrete.
On live infrastructure, that process can be highly disruptive. Excavation rarely affects only the ground being repaired. It often means closing assets, bringing in large site teams, diverting traffic, transporting spoil away from site and delivering new materials in. The repair becomes a construction project in its own right.
Road networks show the problem clearly. If ground instability appears beneath a carriageway, traditional excavation may require lane closures or a full road closure for long durations while crews dig out and rebuild the affected section. During peak times, this increases journey times for commuters, freight operators and emergency services. Local businesses may lose passing trade, residents face noise and access problems and councils must manage the knock-on effects across the wider road network.
The disruption can also extend well beyond the repair location. A closed lane on an A-road can delay buses, slow deliveries, increase idling traffic and put pressure on surrounding residential streets. Even a short remediation project can therefore create costs that are far greater than the engineering works themselves.
Beyond disruption, excavation-based methods can generate a substantial environmental footprint. Excavators alone account for approximately 50 per cent of CO2 emissions from heavy plant equipment, while transportation of raw materials and waste further increases overall project emissions.
Advanced ground engineering methods
With increasing pressure to minimise disruption and environmental impact, contractors are exploring alternative ground engineering methods that do not compromise reliability or longterm performance.
Geopolymer resin injection treatments can be used to stabilise building foundations, re-level roads, railway tracks and airport slabs without the need for extensive excavation or heavy machinery.
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