Our civil engineering team provide advice on and design of the infrastructure for a wide range of engineering projects. We work closely with our structural, geotechnical and ground engineering colleagues together with other in-house specialists to provide holistic and pragmatic solutions for our clients, whose sites invariably need to address environmental issues and difficult ground conditions with a tailored innovative solution balancing inter-related cost and technical issues.
We can provide a range of design and management services for all aspects of civil infrastructure engineering such as:
- Feasibility studies
- Detailed design
- Preparation of construction drawings
- Production of tender documents
- Construction supervision and administration and final approval of the works
- Design of roads, highways and drainage schemes including hydraulic modelling and simulation of storm events, SuDS design etc
- Submission to the Highway Authority for technical approval and incorporation into the relevant sectional agreement (eg Section 38, Section 278, Section 104).
We use the latest version of AutoCAD Civil3D software in the modelling and the design of 3D surfaces for, inter alia, detailed highways levels design, site level analysis, earthworks quantities, flood plain assessment and flood storage compensation works.
With structural engineers and technicians strategically positioned in the UK we can offer structural advice and design services for sites across the length of the country.
From housing developments to wind farms to new schools and health centres to the refurbishment of listed structures and the design of high rise multi-storey blocks, we can offer guidance on the most economic construction methods and advise on all likely key project risks to ensure that our clients have accurate, clear advice on how best to plan and deliver their structures.
We are experienced in the following:
- New build projects (residential, commercial, education, healthcare, energy, waste)
- Refurbishment projects (modern buildings through to historic listed structures)
- Structural surveys of all types of buildings and structures
- Experienced operating within a BIM environment
- Reinforced concrete detailing
Our specialist geotechnical engineers and engineering geologists provide a crucial link between the ground investigation stages and the detailed building design which enables us to deliver efficient and cost effective design solutions for various sectors, including contractors, developers, infrastructure and utilities.
We are involved in the following areas of work:
- Foundation design
- Earth retaining systems
- Slope stability assessments
- Earthworks schemes to provide road embankments and suitable development platforms
- Services to the mining and quarrying industries (design services and site supervision)
- 3D modelling, Finite Element and Finite Difference Analyses
- Appraisal review of GI information to determine whether it is suitable for design purposes of whether more investigation is required
- Subsidence investigations to determine the cause(s) by utilising appropriate and often low impact techniques to assess ground conditions, drainage, water supplies and even the potential for mining related issues or dissolution of soluble rocks
Projects range from basic desk-based reports for domestic extensions to incorporating full-scale hydraulic modelling of watercourses and control structures for large industrial and residential development sites.
We are able to provide advice to our clients to ensure that any appropriate development in flood risk areas is adequately flood resistant, and that any residual risk can be safely managed.
As part of the FRA and in addition to this we can do the following:
- Drainage impact assessment of the specific site which assists in assessing existing surface water runoff and in the preparation of the future drainage strategy for the site
- Design of sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) to manage and reduce surface water runoff from developments and improve water quality of the final discharge off the site
- Design and construction of surface water attenuation facilities (open balancing ponds/underground storage tanks)
- Design of open swales, wetlands, permeable paving and other infiltration systems
- Feasibility assessments for using surface water runoff as a resource in rainwater harvesting
- Use of the latest version of MicroDrainage and Causeway software in the modelling and the design of new drainage networks
- Capacity assessments of existing drainage networks and procure and supervise externally-sourced CCTV surveys and confined-access teams to undertake condition surveys of existing drainage systems
- Sewer rehabilitation and air/water testing of existing drainage networks
Our engineers and geologists undertake quarry inspections and assessments in accordance with the Quarry Regulations. We undertake regular reviews and audits to ensure the safe operation of quarries and have strong relationships with operators and owners alike.
We also undertake and manage the design of tailings storage facilities and heap leach pads for use in mining operations both in the UK and overseas. We are comfortable with all aspects of the design of these facilities from pre-feasibility to detail design and construction supervision.
Our engineers work closely with contractors and developers to produce temporary works designs such as excavation support, working platforms or piling mats, surcharge design and access tracks and haul roads. Where necessary we will undertake specific investigations to provide data for preparing specific one-off design schemes.
In order to support Building Warrant Applications in Scotland we have Approved SER Certifiers of Design (Building Structure) and Wardell Armstrong is an Approved Body within the SER Scheme.
This enables us to certify that the structural design of buildings in Scotland complies with the relevant Building Standards and provide a certificate of design which may be submitted with the application to a Local Authority/Verifier for a Building Warrant. This can reduce the time taken to obtain the Building Warrant as the Local Authority/Verifier must accept the certificate as proof that the design is compliant.
