Ground Movement Impact Assessments (GMIAs)

 

All developments, from small scale domestic to large scale residential / commercial buildings and infrastucture projects, ultimately interact with the ground, and as a result they can cause significant stress changes and ground movements in their vicinity. In particular, where excavations are proposed, the surrounding ground will typically experience some degree of movement, with the potential to impact on neighbouring buildings / structures or other infrastructure present nearby.

 

GCG has extensive experience of working on a wide range of developments, including deep basements, near a wide range of existing infrastructure (e.g., railways, highways, bridges, tunnels, waterways, utilities), buildings and safeguarded spaces.

 

Ground Movement Impact Assessments

 

GCG is a Ground Movement Impact Assessment Specialist

 

GCG routinely undertakes a range of activities utilising its comprehensive experience and expertise:

    • Interpretation of ground conditions and design of new ground investigations.
    • Ground movement impact Assessment, including use of simplified analytical methods and / or advanced numerical analysis – as appropriate to provide the most cost-effective and technically acceptable approach to the problem.
    • Provision of assurance to building / asset owners.
    • Design of monitoring systems.
    • Review of monitoring data, linking measurements, construction activity and predictions to identify any unexpected behaviour.
    • Timely identification of mitigation measures based on monitoring data and other expertise.
    • Development of innovative foundation solutions, construction sequences and mitigation measures.

 

Soil-structure interaction modelling using Finite Element Analysis

When advanced numerical analysis is required, GCG uses ICFEP, which is one of the world’s most sophisticated soil-structure interaction finite element programs, jointly developed by GCG and Imperial College over several decades.

ICFEP employs the most advanced soil models and is commercially used exclusively by GCG. Its advanced features make ICFEP a versatile and rigorous program that enables accurate modelling of geotechnical problems.

 

Significant examples of GCG’s involvement in projects close to existing infrastructure / buildings include:

  • Building developments: The Shard of Glass, 20 Fenchurch Street (The Walkie-Talkie), Nine Elms Point, Nova Victoria, Battersea Power Station Development, Kings Cross Central, The Francis Crick Institute, Southbank Place Development, Bloomberg European HQ
  • Infrastructure projects: Bank Station Capacity Upgrade, Elizabeth Line (Crossrail), Tottenham Court Road Station Upgrade, Paddington Underground Station, Terminal 5 Heathrow Airport

 

Click on the ‘Projects’ tab below for more detailed information of our involvement in selected example projects.

Projects