Product category:
Drainage Services
News Release from: Hepworth Building Products | Subject: Geotechnical surveys
Edited by the Buildingtalk Editorial
Team on 13 May 2005
Geotechnical surveys mean major
contractor savings
Greater use of the data gained from geotechnical surveys could save millions of pounds for drainage specifiers and contractors, as well as making a major contribution to sustainable construction.
Greater use of the data gained from geotechnical surveys which are undertaken for virtually all construction projects could save millions of pounds for drainage specifiers and contractors, as well as making a major contribution to sustainable construction Such surveys are routinely undertaken to establish soil type and its load bearing capacities, assisting the design of foundations and should be used to determine appropriate bedding construction for drainage systems
This article was originally published on Buildingtalk on 11 Feb 2005 at 8.00am (UK)
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Yet often, reports Hepworth Drainage, the detail of such surveys is not fully taken into account.
As a result, it is thought that around 75 per cent of clay drainage pipe installations are over-engineered.
This can reveal the potential for cost savings, with no associated reduction in quality or increase in risk, presenting opportunities for additional environmental gains.
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Explains Paul Wydell, Product Manager at Hepworth Drainage: "The inherent strength of clay drainage systems means that in a wide range of ground conditions there are no product based requirements for a full granular surround.
There has, however, been an historical tendency for specifiers to request a full surround because of the incorrect perception that this is the "best practice" method to install a drainage system.
Use of primary aggregates for bedding clay pipes increases the installed pipeline strength by as much as 250%.
This is a huge and normally unnecessary uplift as these systems already have such high integral strength, indeed this is one of its key performance benefits.
Value engineering offers contractors a far greater opportunity to conform to the 'reduce, re-use, recycle' model widely promoted as the mantra for sustainability.
States Paul Wydell "Many specifiers and installers are missing the opportunity to use information that is readily available to them.
As ground surveys should be conducted as a matter or course before any work commences on site, no additional investment is required.
The information which will enable the appropriate bedding detail to be determined can usually be found in the executive summary or trial pit/bore hole logs".
The potential cost saving arising from avoiding over specification of bedding material can easily be as much as 50%.
Even in conditions where a full granular surround is the most appropriate option, such as in heavy clay, rock and peat type soils, there is still an opportunity to make savings by using recycled aggregate instead of primary aggregate.
Recycled material can be purchased from an off-site source or provided by means of an on-site facility used to recycle appropriate construction demolition waste.
Major savings can be made by using recycled material, particularly when multiplied across a number of properties or developments.
In ideal ground conditions such as those with sandy, gravely, and loose friable subsoils, clay can be laid on as-dug material (or with a 50mm regulating bed) and also use excavated material as trench backfill.
This can dramatically reduce the cost of the installation.
Hand in hand with the financial benefit goes a clear environmental advantage.
Demand for primary aggregates is reduced, less spoil needs to be removed from site, translating to fewer vehicle movements, improving the local amenity.
The CO2 footprint of your site can also be reduced.
For contractors adopting this value engineered approach there are likely to be other commercial advantages.
In today's construction markets, it is the companies with sound environmental credentials that are increasingly successful in winning those crucial tenders.
A reputation for providing quality installations to a higher environmental standard than your competitors, which meet the 'three R' of sustainability, must be a further tool in your tendering armoury.
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