Memorandum 151
Submission from the Ground Forum
1. THE GROUND
FORUM
The Ground Forum brings together Learned Societies
and Trade Associations representing most construction related
geo-engineering disciplines. The Learned Societies undertake the
dissemination of information and oversee professional qualifications;
while Trade Associations represent the commercial interests of
both consultants and contractors in the sector. The Ground Forum
is therefore a single voice which draws together all construction
related geo-engineering interests of both companies and individuals.
2. SUMMARY
- For the purposes of this response, Geo-Engineering
has been taken as synonymous with Ground Engineering, which is
the terminology used in:
- Ground Forum's submission to the Home Office
(UKBA) Migration Advisory Committee; and
- the Register of Ground Engineering Professionals
which is being developed by Members of the Ground Forum for launch
in 2009.
It is acknowledged that Ground Engineering is
a specific sub-set of the broader subject of Geo-Engineering.
- Geo-engineering literally underpins all
man-made structures but the fact that it is usually hidden from
view means that it is often overlooked and undervalued.
- Geo-Engineering makes a huge positive contribution
to climate change related actions via:
- efficient use of resources and reduction
of greenhouse gas emissions,
- mitigation of the impacts of climate change,
and
- The sector has not been well served by
public funding for R&D and there is an urgent need for more
independent, publically funded research that can be made available
to the whole industry.
- The basic educational requirement to be
a geo-engineer is a first degree in geology or civil engineering
followed by an MSc, usually in geotechnical engineering or engineering
geology. The shortage of MSc graduates is a serious problem and
the industry has experienced severe and growing skill shortages
for the last 10 years. The progressive withdrawal of NERC and
EPSRC funding for post graduate MSc study has had a major impact.
- Because of its largely hidden nature, both
Government and other industry professionals undervalue the role
and contribution of geo-engineering. Consequently there is need
for greater regulation to ensure that best use is made of geo-engineering
skills and resources, and better recognition of the contribution
it makes to the built environment.
3. DEFINITION
Ground Engineering is a specific sub-set of
the broader discipline of Geo-Engineering, which encompasses all
engineering activities associated with natural geological, hydrological
and climatological systems. Ground Engineering has three major,
but related divisions:
- Geotechnical Engineering (a specialist
branch of civil engineering);
- Engineering Geology (the application of
geology to ground engineering); and
- Geoenvironmental Engineering (the identification
and remediation of contaminated land).
4. THE CURRENT
AND POTENTIAL
ROLES OF
ENGINEERING AND
ENGINEERS IN
GEO-ENGINEERING
SOLUTIONS TO
CLIMATE CHANGE
4.1 It is simplistic, but true, that everything
rests on or in the ground and therefore geo-engineering literally
underpins all man made structures. Unlike other construction materials,
however, the ground is variable between sites and its properties
change according in response to climatic changes. The engineering
properties of the ground therefore require specific investigation
and must be designed for on a site by site basis.
4.2 Geo-engineering professionals are required
on a wider range of construction projects than any other construction
profession. They are involved with all civil (and military) engineering
works and all buildings, and are also essential for works in the
natural environment such as slope and cliff stabilisation, where
professions such as architects are not required, and, at the other
end of the scale, with many domestic subsidence claims. This broad
demand for ground engineering skills has been a major factor in
the skills shortage affecting the industry (see paragraph 6).
4.3 Geo-engineering involves the investigation
of ground conditions (eg geology, geotechnical properties, ground
water and previous land use) and predicting how the ground will
respond to specific natural and engineering changes, thereby enabling
safe design and construction of foundations and other ground related
structures (eg dams, tunnels, flood defence embankments, etc).
The sector's roles in combating climate change, therefore, are
threefold:
- ensuring efficient use of resources and
reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, including pursuance of
the recently launched Strategy for Sustainable Construction;
- mitigation of the impact of climate change;
and
- regeneration of previously used sites.
4.4 Examples of how Geo-Engineering roles
(ground investigation, design and construction) contribute to
solutions for each of these areas are given below.
4.4.1 Solutions which make more efficient
use of resources and thereby reduce production of greenhouse gas
emissions:
- designs and construction techniques which
reduce natural material usage;
- foundations for wind farms and marine current/tidal
turbines;
- energy transmission, including undersea
transmission of energy from wind farms and marine current/tidal
turbines, pylons, and tunnels;
- hydro-electric schemes;
- carbon storage/sequestration (eg: installing
pipelines to transfer captured carbon to suitable gas/oil fields);
- foundation design for nuclear power stations;
- underground storage of nuclear waste;
- design, construction and monitoring of
reservoirs for water;
- heating from ground source heat pumps.
(Note: These commonly comprise of horizontal and vertical trenches
containing liquid filled tubes, which utilise the ambient ground
temperature via a heat exchanger, to provide heat in winter or
cooling in summer);
- heating from "energy piles".
(Note: These also use ground source heat pumps but have tubes
installed in the foundation piles of the building);
- deep geothermal energy ("hot rocks");
- re-use of existing piled foundations for
subsequent developments on previously used sites (reduces concrete
and steel use);
- evaluation of the carbon impact of available
foundation systems;
- choice of foundation solution based on
energy efficiency (based on above research);
- development of new carbon efficient foundation
solutions;
- landfill management and the identification,
disposal, and treatment of waste; and
- use of recycled materials and by products
of other processes, including recycled aggregate, glass and pulverised
fly ash (pfa).
4.4.2 Solutions which mitigate the impacts
of climate change:
- repair and redesign of rail and highway
embankments which are being degraded because of changes in precipitation,
increased temperatures, and changes in vegetation;
- upgrading/raising of the Thames Barrier;
- raising of embankments along the Thames
to counter changes in sea level;
- control of inland flooding and flood relief
schemes;
- control of subsidence in domestic housing
and other buildings;
- increased water storage (surface and underground
reservoirs); and
- design and monitoring of slope stability
to reduce landslides and the effects of coastal erosion.
4.4.3 Regeneration:
- identification, evaluation and remediation
of contaminated land, thereby minimizing use of greenfield sites;
- remediation and redevelopment of brownfield
sites;
- environmental impact studies and remediation/mitigation;
- ground improvement to bring marginal land
to a point where it can be used for the built environment; and
- improved transport and utilities-particularly
those involving tunnelling.
5. NATIONAL AND
INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH
ACTIVITY, AND
RESEARCH FUNDING,
RELATING TO
GEO-ENGINEERING,
AND THE
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN,
AND INTERFACE
WITH, THIS
FIELD AND
RESEARCH CONDUCTED
TO REDUCE
GREENHOUSE GAS
EMISSIONS
5.1 UK research activity in Geo-engineering
is now almost exclusively conducted in universities following
the (regrettable) demise of geotechnical research at the former
Government research establishments-the Building Research Establishment
(BRE) and the Transport Research Laboratory (TRL).
5.2 In the past, these Government funded
bodies provided an independent focus which industry could tap
into and partner with to undertake research into improving practice,
often practical and over a number of years. The bodies provided
pools of researchers who developed expertise and were able to
develop practical streams of both blue sky research and research
into specific applied topics of direct relevance to industry.
They had huge industry support, including practical and `in kind'
support and their geotechnical research was world renowned.
5.3 The research done by the BRE on the
re-use of foundations[14]
is an excellent example of the need for public research. The re-use
of existing foundations has obvious sustainability benefits. However,
to be acceptable to industry (and to clients in particular) an
industry-wide standard developed by a reputable independent body
was essential. Furthermore, public funding for the research was
indisputably necessary, since it would be unrealistic to expect
geotechnical contractors/consultants to fund research that might
ultimately reduce their work opportunities.
5.4 These publically funded facilities gave
industry a means of contributing for the benefit of industry as
a whole and permitted research to be undertaken that had no commercial
benefit or where the benefit was to the whole sector. They were
also a means for Government to put resources into independent
R&D. EPSRC research grants continue to be available, but these
require projects to have specific objectives and outcomes which
often impose unhelpful restrictions, (eg the rejection of projects
because they are linked to a single industrial partner and therefore
are assumed to be for the commercial benefit only of that partner;
or restrictions on the way the results are reported which make
them difficult to disseminate.
5.5 Although academics might argue otherwise,
from the perspective of geo-engineering consultants and contractors,
blue-sky research has virtually ceased because of the withdrawal
of Government funding. Research has undoubtedly been undertaken
into the science of climate change, but geo-engineering practitioners
have received little guidance about how this might be translated
into practical solutions. There is a need for a much closer partnership
between academia, industry and Government. Leaving innovation
to individual companies, usually in partnership with academics,
makes it difficult to share knowledge that should be in the public
domain and available to the whole sector.
5.6 A significant proportion of funding
of university research is geared around three year PhDs. This
results in a lack of continuity and limits the scale of the issue
that can be addressed.
6. THE PROVISION
OF UNIVERSITY
COURSES AND
OTHER FORMS
OF TRAINING
RELEVANT TO
GEO-ENGINEERING
IN THE
UK
6.1 Most professional Geo-engineers have
first degrees in civil engineering, geology or one of the varieties
of applied geology, and a Masters degree. Geotechnical PhDs are
seldom required outside academic institutions, whereas PhDs relevant
to contaminated land are useful in industry.
6.2 Civil engineering courses for students
aspiring to become Chartered Engineers are now four year MEng
degrees. Both three year and four year degrees are available for
geologists. However, Geo-engineering is a specialism and none
of the four year courses are considered adequate for Geo-engineering,
because they do not focus on the specialist higher level skills.
6.3 A recent survey by GF has shown that
the availability of post graduate MSc courses for Geo-engineers
in the UK is acceptable but many are under threat because of a
shortage of students. At the same time, and for many years, industry
has experienced a severe shortage of MSc graduates. This is generally
attributed to:
- high levels of student debt that make further
study financially unviable;
- progressive reduction of funding for MSc's
through EPSRC and NERC bursaries;
- the advent of four year MEng degrees that
do not offer sufficient specialisation for geo-engineers, but
make it less likely that graduates will undertake further study
in order to obtain a second Masters degree;
- the availability of employment (because
of the existing skill shortages) for civil engineering graduates
without a geo-engineering MSc-even though the industry is totally
united in the belief that this is not satisfactory; and
- the lack of substantial financial reward
for those who obtain a geo-engineering MSc (ie in comparison to
law or medicine where additional qualifications are perceived
to lead to substantial financial benefit).
6.4 Geo-engineers have been on the Government
Shortage Occupation List for work permit purposes since 2005 and
continue to be so under the new regime. This has been very beneficial
and much appreciated by the industry. In order to survive, the
industry has also had to find alternative training solutions (in-house
training; short courses, up-skilling etc). Additionally, industry
has increasingly felt that even apparently well qualified graduates
lack basic skills and understanding of the fundamental principles
that were once regarded as normal.
6.5 Margins in Geo-engineering, as in the
rest of construction, are low and training budgets compete with
budgets for research and innovation, improvements in health and
safety, and the myriad of third party accreditation schemes for
quality assurance, investors in people, environmental management,
etc which are expected from quality companies and demanded by
clients.
6.6 There is a perception in the industry
that offering financial support to allow staff to undertake post
graduate MSc study does not necessarily result in more MSc qualified
staff. Although a new graduate can be bound to remain with the
sponsoring company for a short period, companies who chose to
put their "sponsorship" money into higher salaries and
staff benefits are able to attract staff from those companies
that sponsor study. Small companies (many consultancies have less
than 4 geo-engineers) anyway find the cost of sponsorship to be
prohibitive.
7. THE STATUS
OF GEO-ENGINEERING
TECHNOLOGIES IN
GOVERNMENT, INDUSTRY
AND ACADEMIA
We find some ambiguity in the word "status"
and therefore offer two observations:
7.1 The perception of Geo-engineering technologies
in government, industry and academia: Generally the output of
Geo-engineering is below ground and hidden from view, and therefore
taken for granted, not only by the general public but also by
clients and other construction professionals such as architects
and structural engineers.
7.1.1 Much of past Government support for
Geo-engineering (eg research funding and degree funding) has been
progressively reduced and withdrawn, indicating a lack of understanding
about the fundamental contribution made by geo-engineering and
a failure to appreciate that its specialised nature requires MSc
qualifications.
7.1.2 The status of engineering in the UK
is not helped by the fact that the term "engineer" can
be, and is, used by everyone from car mechanics to designers of
nuclear power stations. The problem for Geo-engineering is even
more difficult because personnel are split between geology, civil
engineering, structural engineering and even chemistry. A system
of licensing, similar to that in the USA would greatly enhance
the profession. A voluntary registration system will be introduced
for Ground Engineering Professionals in the next 12 months. Government
support for this initiative, particularly in the planning system
and Building Regulations, would be helpful.
7.1.3 Early involvement of Geo-engineers
in the project team can result in value engineering that substantially
reduces the risks and often the cost of the geotechnical elements-but
such early involvement rarely happens. The geo-engineering sector
faces serious and on-going difficulty to convince other (non geo)
engineers of the need for proper ground investigation before the
project begins. Problems due to unexpected ground conditions are
the largest single source of cost over-runs, and designs based
on insufficient knowledge of soil conditions must necessarily
be conservative, and therefore more expensive. Despite this, structural
engineers in particular, frequently fail to appreciate the value
of proper site investigation and commission least cost investigations,
often to inadequate specifications. In Scotland, structural engineers
are now required to sign-off building designs, including design
of the foundations of which they may have no specialist expertise;
this is potentially dangerous.
7.1.4 Geo-engineering is often considered
a minority interest in university civil engineering departments.
Many Geo-engineering MSc courses are run with only one or two
permanent staff members, and all are under pressure to be financially
viable. Although a few universities have direct and successful
links with particular companies for R&D purposes, this the
exception rather than the rule.
7.1.5 In the past, the UK has led the world
in geo-engineering expertise. As a result the UK enjoyed a large
pool of experts and was able to export knowledge and consultancy
services throughout the world. However, it has been estimated
that 50% of UK geotechnical engineers could retire in the next
10 years. Skill shortages due to a lack of new entrants, deficiencies
in the knowledge base of new graduates (see Para 6.4 above) and
a shortage of MSc graduates (see Para 6.3 above) mean that this
knowledge and expertise is being lost, with concomitant knock
on effects for the reputation and export earning potential of
the sector. There is an urgent need to re-establish and to nurture
geo-engineering expertise; most professional bodies within the
sector have initiatives to promote their professions in schools
and universities, however these often rely on volunteers and are
therefore in need of significant extra resources.
7.2 Current status of Geo-engineering technologies:
7.2.1 Within the Geo-engineering industry
there is a constant drive towards greater efficiency and cost
effectiveness. In recent years this has included:
- considerable and continuing improvements
in instrumentation and monitoring data (eg ground movement, material
behaviour, construction processes);
- the development of new technologies such
as ground source heat pumps, energy piles, marine and tidal energy
generation; and
- materials development including the increased
use of polymers, geo-textiles, and recycled or recovered materials.
7.2.2 There is much that Government could
do to improve the use and effectiveness of geo-engineering:
- Government failure to resolve the issues
surrounding Soil Guideline Values (as put forward in the Way
Forward Report (Defra, Clan 6/06) is holding back the ability
of the industry to move forward confidently in the area of the
remediation and development of contaminated land.
- The autonomy of Area Planning Officers
and Environment Agency Officers (who have regulatory powers) creates
inconsistencies and a confusion about requirements and standards
that cannot be clarified or overridden by reference to a central
authority.
- A requirement for adequate site investigation
should be mandatory for detailed planning approval.
- Support for the Register of Ground Engineers,
once it is launched, will support the identification of "Ground
Engineering" as a specialist discipline, improve the visibility
of the profession, and help to ensure that ground engineering
is carried out by those qualified to do so.
- Better funding, via the British Standards
Institution, for the development of standards in this sector.
8. GEO-ENGINEERING
AND ENGAGING
YOUNG PEOPLE
IN THE
ENGINEERING PROFESSION
8.1 There is a particular difficulty for
Geo-engineering in that people must first be recruited to civil
engineering and then to Geo-engineering. Despite this, larger
companies are working regularly with local schools to interest
more school children in civil engineering and in earth science
in particular. However, the majority of the effort comes from
volunteers and skills shortages put pressure on the amount of
voluntary activity that can be expected from industry.
8.2 The Ground Forum itself sponsors ICE
InSite, a magazine published three times a year and sent,
free of charge, to all secondary schools and colleges in order
to promote careers in civil engineering. Articles about ground
engineering are contributed regularly.
8.3 The Ground Forum notes with enthusiasm
some excellent television programmes that will undoubtedly help
to popularise and promote civil engineering, including the Geo-engineering
sector.
9. THE ROLE
OF ENGINEERS
IN INFORMING
POLICY-MAKERS
AND THE
PUBLIC REGARDING
THE POTENTIAL
COSTS, BENEFITS
AND RESEARCH
STATUS OF
DIFFERENT GEO-ENGINEERING
SCHEMES
9.1 The Ground Forum and it Members inform
policy makers of Geo-engineering issues through the Construction
Industry Council (CIC) and direct communication with government
via the Parliamentary & Scientific Committee and through responses
to consultation documents.
9.2 It is probably true to say that the
Construction Industry as a whole does not sufficiently promote
successful projects to the public and the objections of protestors
and those that oppose planning applications often give a negative
image. The Olympics provide an opportunity to promote the industry
and its role in regeneration and energy efficiency. This is not
yet being seized with sufficient vigour and sadly, even when if
it is, the role of Geo-engineering is unlikely to feature strongly.
October 2008
14 Summarised in Reuse of Foundations for Urban
Sites: A Best Practice Handbook BRE Books 2006. Back
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