theG

eotechnica

Issue No.

2301295 670990www.equipegroup.com August 2013

GEOTECHNICA 2013THE EVENT REVIEW

Also included:- Refined-SoilContractSuccess- EurocodeinGeotechnical Investigation:TheDebate- PolyaromaticHydrocarbons- ControlledFineness:‘Ultra-Fine’ Cement

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and Exhibition based in the UK

4

Contents7

CoverArticle:Geotechnica2013-TheEventReviewAnin-depthreviewofthisyear’sLargestUKBasedGeotechnicalTradeShowandExhibition-includesattendancedetailsandinformationonwheretofindallofthefactsandfiguresfrom2013’sshow.

13

PolyaromaticHydrocarbonsWriting for theGeotechnica oncemore is highly valued contributorHazel Davidson of Derwentside Environmental Testing Services. Thismonth,Hazeldiscusseswhypolyaromatichydrocarbonsare sovaluable.

Reinforced-SoilContractSuccessWriting on behalf of geotechnical specialists Maccaferri onceagain is Jeff Laverack of Holmes Media. This month Jeff writes totheGeotechnicaasMaccaferrirevealthesuccessoftheirreinforced-soilcontract,whilstalsodetailingexactlywhatareinforced-soilwallstructurecanofferyou.

21

Directory29Supported by

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This one day course is aimed at anybody involved in specifying, instructing, managing, supervising or actually breaking ground. Important aspects include the use of real examples from the geotechnical industry and delivery by chartered advisors who are from within the industry.

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SAFE SUPERVISION OF GEOTECHNICAL SITES - £450 + VAT

NEXT COURSE DATES: 9th - 11th October 201313th - 15th November 2013

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ACCREDITED

Eurocode7inGeotechnicalInvestigation:TheDiscussionOnthe11thJulyadiscussionsessionwasheldatGeotechnica2013,theUK’sLargestGeotechnicalTradeShowandExhibition.ThedebateposedthequestionofwhetherEurocodeswerebeingwidelyusedforgeotechnicalprojectsatalllevelsintheUK.Fulldetailsarecontainedwithinthisarticle.

17

ControlledFineness-‘Ultra-Fine’CementsWriting for theGeotechnica for the first time is Bill Price, NationalCommercialTechnicalManagerofLafargeTarmacCement&Lime.Inthismonth’sarticle,BillgivesreadersahighlyinsightfulintroductiontoUltrafinecements.

25

65

Welcome to the 23rd Edition oftheGeotechnica-theUK’sfastestgrowingonlinegeotechnicallyfocussede-magazine.

The first article in this month’s issue comesonceagainfromJeffLaverackofHolmesMedia.This month Jeff writes to theGeotechnica asMaccaferrirevealthesuccessoftheirreinforced-soilcontract,whilstalsodetailingexactlywhatareinforced-soilwallstructurecanofferyou.

ThismonthintheGeotechnicaourcoverarticleis a review of the recent Geotechnica 2013- Geotechnical Trade Show and Exhibition.theGeotechnicaisproudtoreportonwhatwasdeemedthemostsuccessfulGeotechnicaeverorganised by the Equipe Group - with greatvisitorturnoutandexcellentdiscussionsheldattheGeotechnicalConference.Thearticlecanbefoundonpage13ofthismonth’sissue.

Onthe11thJulyadiscussionsessionwasheldatGeotechnica2013,theUK’sLargestGeotechnicalTrade Show and Exhibition. The debate posedthequestionofwhetherEurocodeswerebeingwidely used for geotechnical projects at alllevelsintheUK.Fulldetailsarecontainedwithin

thearticleonpage17.ForanyonewithavestedinterestinthedevelopmentandimplementationofEurocodes,thisarticleisamust-read.

Inourfourtharticle,wehaveanotherexcellentlaboratory-oriented offering. Writing fortheGeotechnica once more is highly valuedcontributor Hazel Davidson of DerwentsideEnvironmental Testing Services. This month,Hazeldiscusseswhypolyaromatichydrocarbonsaresovaluable.

Our final article this month again focuses onthe construction side of our industry. WritingfortheGeotechnicaforthefirsttimeisBillPrice,National Commercial Technical Manager ofLafargeTarmacCement&Lime.Inthismonth’sarticle, Bill gives readers a highly insightfulintroductiontoUltrafinecements.

This month we have a number of recruitmentadvertisements being placed throughoutthe magazine, notably from Soil Consultants,Geotechnical Engineering, VJ Tech and ESG.WealsohaveentriesintheDirectoryandJobssections, with positions available as a drillingspecialist for the Equipe Group as well asGardlineGeosciences.

As with every new edition of the magazine,theEditorial Teamhereat theGeotechnicawillbeon the lookout forevenmorenew,originaland interestingcontent fromall cornersof thesector,andwouldactivelyencourageallreadersto come forwardwitheven the slightestbit ofappropriate and relevant content - whether itbeasmallnewsitemoradetailedcasestudyofworksrecentlycompletedorbeingundertaken.If this content is media rich and interactive,then all thebetter.Weare looking to increasethe already large readership of the magazinethrough better social media integration andpromotion,aswellasimprovingcontentmonthonmonth.

Onceagain,foranycontentthatissubmittedwewillensurethatadvertisingspace,proportionateto thequalityofcontentprovided, isavailablefor that single edition of the magazine. Fromthenon,ifyouhavesubmittedcontent,youwillreceiveadiscountonallfurtheradvertisementsplaced within theGeotechnica. We hope youenjoythismonth’seditionofthemagazineandareinspiredtocontributeyourowncontentforthecomingeditionsoftheGeotechnica.

Editorial Team, theGeotechnica

WelcomeEnvironmental Scientifics Group (ESG) is the UK’s leading provider of testing, inspection and compliance services. We operate across four divisions and offer an unrivalled range of technical expertise and accredited services. Our strong network of UKAS accredited laboratories are located across the UK and are supported by a centralised head office.

ESG prides itself on its innovative nature, customer focus and drive to continually improve. Our people are at the heart of what we do, and we employ more than 1,200 people who serve over 7,000 customers.

In response to the current and future workload, together with planned expansion of the business, ESG’s Geotechnical Division are recruiting a range of specialists in a number of locations throughout the UK. Technical staff include geologists, engineering geologists, environmental scientists and geotechnical engineers.

We are seeking candidates for the following posts:

Industrial Placement technical staff working predominantly in the Southeast of England

Graduate technical staff throughout the UK

Senior technical staff in Wales and Southeast England

Principal/Area Manager in Wales to lead an expansion plan

Geophysicists and Surveyors based in the North West or Scotland

Laboratory Technicians with geotechnical experience

In return, we offer a competitive salary, and all the benefits of working for a dynamic and growing organisation.

If you feel you’ve got what it takes to add value to our business, then please apply by visiting our website at careers.esg.co.uk. Thank you for your interest in our business.

ESG is an equal opportunities employer.

www.esg.co.uk

We Are Recruiting Throughout The UK

“For anyone with a vested interest in the development and implementation of Eurocodes, this article is a must-read.”

87

A network of reinforced-soilretaining walls which willform part of the upgradingof the strategic A8 route inNorthern Ireland is currentlyunder construction by civiland geotechnical specialists,Maccaferri Construction, partoftheMaccaferriGroup.

Breakout panel

WhatisthoughttobethefirstIsland-of-Ireland installationofaparticulartypeofconcretepanel-faced, reinforced soilretaining wall system iscurrently under constructiononthenewA8BelfasttoLarnehighwayimprovementproject.Key transport corridor

improvementforNI

The A8 is one of the five KeyTransport Corridors identifiedin the Regional DevelopmentStrategy and the RegionalTransportation Strategy forNorthernIreland.

The Department for RegionalDevelopment is undertakingimprovement works that willinvolve the realignment andupgrading to Dual 2 Lane AllPurpose (D2AP) carriagewayof the A8 between Coleman’sCornerandBallyrickardRoad,ata construction cost of £105m.Thenewrouteincludestheby-passof thevillagesofBrusleeandBallynure.

Thisupgradeofapproximately14.5km of the A8 betweenBelfastandLarneasapartiallyon-line/partially off-line highquality dual carriageway, withassociatedhardstrips,andwillincorporateanumberofgradeseparated junctions and theprovision of a central mediansafetybarrier.

Reinforcedsoilretainingwalls

Oxford based MaccaferriConstruction is building anetwork of 16 reinforced-soilretaining walls which formabutmentsandwingwallsto8

Writing on behalf of geotechnical specialists Maccaferri once again is Jeff Laverack of Holmes Media. This month Jeff writes to theGeotechnica as Maccaferri reveal the success of their reinforced-soil contract, whilst also detailing exactly what a reinforced-soil wall structure can offer you.

newstructureswhicharebeingconstructedaspartofthenewworks.

The design and constructionof the A8 project is beingundertaken for Departmentfor Regional Development(Northern Ireland) RoadsService by JV ContractorsLagan/Ferrovial/Costain[LFC].

LFC were particularly keento work with MaccaferriConstruction as the Companyprovides a fully indemnified,combineddesignandconstructpackage -aservice that isnotreadilyavailableforreinforcedsoil, concrete panel structureson the Island of Ireland or intheUK.

The walls being constructedusingtheMacRes[R]systemoflarge, concrete facing panels,installed in conjunction withhigh strength PARAWEB [R]

geosyntheticreinforcement.

“First” for island of Ireland

The MacRes/PARAWEB,reinforced soil structureis a system extensivelyused outside the UK with

over 500,000sqm of wallscompleted worldwide. On theUK mainland, the system wasrecentlyusedintheupgradingof the A13, Sadlers Farminterchange near Basildon,Essex however its use in theconstruction of the A8 Belfastto Larne Dualling scheme isthought to be an island ofIreland“first”.

PARAWEB is BBA Roads andBridges Certified geosyntheticstrapping for use with panelfaced reinforced soil systems.The PARAWEB elements

REINFORCED-SOILCONTRACT SUCCESS FOR MACCAFERRICONSTRUCTION

“Oxford based Macca-ferri Construction is building a network of 16 reinforced-soil retaining walls...”

MacRespanelsarehandplacedtoensureaccuratealignment.

“The MacRes/PARAWEB, reinforced soil structure is a system extensively used outside the UK...”

109

are placed in the groundbetween successive layers ofcompacted fill and connectedtoconcretefacingpanels.

The strength of the PARAWEBgeosynthetic reinforcementis adjusted to suit the design

loads. This makes the systemsimple to construct, as thestandard concrete panelsall have the same numberof connection points. Thisoptimises the efficiency ofthe structure and allows theconstruction of very tall wallscapable of withstanding highloads.

According to Maccaferri,there are clear engineeringbenefits intheuseofpolymerreinforcement over traditionalsteel strapping. Ratherthan increasing or reducing

the spacing to change thereinforcement strength as youwould do with steel, differentstrengthsofpolymerstrappingcanbeincorporatedtoincreasethecapacity.OntheA8projectthe strapping strengths variedfrom27kNto54kN.

Theconcretefacingpanelsare1500mmx1500mmx170mmthick and are factory cast insteel moulds. A smooth, ex-mouldfinishwas specified fortheA8projectbuttextured/lowrelieffacepatternscanalsobesupplied. The un-pigmentedpanelsaresteelreinforcedandhave integral lifting eyes andstrapping connection loopscastintoeachunit.

Installation

Installation commenced withthe preparation of a 175mmthick, 450mm wide concretelevellingpadalong the lineofthepanelwall.Thefirstrowofpanels was placed in positionin a castellated pattern - fullheight followedbyhalfheightand so on. Proprietary propswere then used as temporarysupports and the panels werealso clamped together to

further ensure stability duringinitialbackfilling.

Strapping is looped throughspecial attaching points castinto the reverse face of eachpanel at 750mm centres,typicallyfourtoeachpanel.

Strapping is installed as acontinuous loop laid into thebackfill in lengths varyingfrom6.5-8.0mandtemporarilyheld in position with steelpins to maintain positionduring backfilling. Strappingis supplied in lengths of100m which can be linkedtogetherwithabespokebucklearrangement.

Adrainage layer300mmdeepis placed behind the panelas backfilling progresses.BackfillisgranularSFHW6I/6Jimportedmaterialwhichisfullycompacted inaccordancewiththe specification for highwayworks.

Subsequent courses of panelsare placed in position usinga specially designed liftingdevice attached to the boomof a trackedexcavator and liftinsertscastintothetopsofthe

panels. The top of the wallswillbecappedusingspeciallymadeprecastcopingunitswithin-situconcretebacking.

Construction works for theoverall scheme commencedon site in August 2012, withthe expected completionscheduledforMarch2015.Installation of the reinforcedsoil bridge abutments/wingwallsstartedinAprilandisdueforcompletioninearly2014.

MacRes [R]is a Maccaferrisystem of large, concretefacing panels, PARAWEB [R]geosynthetic reinforcement,is manufactured by LinearComposites, also a Maccaferrisubsidiary.

PARAWEBgeosyntheticreinforcementisplacedinthegroundbetweensuccessivelayersofcompactedfillandconnectedtoconcretefacingpanels.

Backfillingcontinuesinpredeterminedliftsasconstructionprogresses.

“This makes the system simple to construct, as the standard concrete panels all have the same number of connection points.”

“Strapping is looped through special attaching points cast into the reverse face of each panel at 750mm centres, typically four to each panel.”

“The top of the walls will be capped using specially made precast coping units with in-situ concrete backing.”

1211

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toarrivetosetuptheirstandson the Tuesday, the blazingsunshine set the tone for therest of the event’s duration.Withtheshellschemeserectedandtheoutsideflooringlaidby7pm on Tuesday evening, allinvolvedwereable to sitbackandadmiretheirwork–atleastuntil the hundreds of visitorsstarted rolling in at 9am thenextday.Withover250visitorspre-registered for Wednesdayalone,everythingwas inplacefor 2013 to be Geotechnica’smost successfulevent todate.Anditdidn’tdisappoint.

With over 610 registeredvisitors, alongside speakersandexhibitors,andwithplentyof communication, promotion,networkingandlearningtakingplace between all attendees,Geotechnica’s debut at theWarwickshireExhibitionCentrewasaresoundingsuccess.

2013’s Evening CharityNetworking Event tookinspiration fromGeotechnica’sventure to the Middle Eastin November of 2012, witha slightly more chilledatmosphere encouraged,in contrast to last year’sincredibly well recived‘Geotechnica Rocks!’ Battleof the Bands contest. Movingfrom the previous hog roastandmarqueestoafingerbuffetand well stocked bar at TheAngel Hotel in nearby RoyalLeamington Spa, the eventwas well attended and wellreceived.Thisyear’seventdidstill feature livemusic

TheEventReviewGeotechnica2013-TheNumbers:

2Days.

64Exhibitors.

19Speakers.

5Sponsors.

12PieceJazzBand.

610Attendees.

Celebrating its 5th Birthday,Geotechnica 2013 - the UK’sLargest Geotechnical TradeShow and Exhibition – wasonce again a resoundingsuccess.Heldat the laterdateof the 10th and 11th of July,

2013 saw Geotechnica moveto a newandhighly improvedlocation, helping to make theevent bigger and better thanall four of its predecessors.Throughout 2013 the EquipeGroup had been workinghard toensure that this year’sevent built on the success ofprevious incarnations, usingtheir contacts to bring in thebest possible speakers for

the Geotechnical Conference,whilstalsoemployingasmartermarketingstrategytogenerategreatervisitornumbersfortheevent. On reflection, it is safetosaythatthathardworkpaiddividends. This hardworkwasgreatlyassistedbythemovetoanewvenue,theWarwickshireExhibition Centre, a fewmilesoutside of nearby RoyalLeamingtonSpa.

AlthoughthetimeGeotechnicaspent in marquees on theUpton Estate Showgroundwillbe remembered with greataffection by many across thegeotechnical industry, it wassafetosaythatthemovetotheWEC’sfacilitieshelpedtopushGeotechnica into new realmsof success. The dedicatedfacilities offered by the WEC,alongwith the introduction ofhighly popular shell-schemeexhibition booths helped tomake the event feel moreprofessionalanddistinguished,whilst still keeping its home-growncharmandaesthetics.

With fantastic weather acrossthe two days, Geotechnica2013 once again saw a largenumber of attendees thatmaintained the positive,productive and bustlingatmosphere that Geotechnicahas become synonymouswithsince the events conceptionin 2009. As exhibitors began

“...2013 saw Geotechnica move to a new and highly improved location...”

“...the blazing sunshine set the tone for the rest of the event’s duration.”

1615

however,with12-piece jazzoutfitHoot Jazzprovidingtheevening’sentertainment.

Theconferencespeakerprogrammefeaturedmanynamesthatwereandstillareatthetopoftheirrespectedfields,namessuchasLQMLtd’sProfessorPaulNathanail,LoughboroughUniversity’sProfessorNeilDixonand formerProfessor of Geotechnical Engineeringat Kingston University - Professor EddieBromhead. Fortunately, the conference didnot fallprey to itsownhype,withallof the

19speakersdeliveringinsightful,educationalandentertainingtalksthatnotonlyeducatedthe observers, but also sparked discussionsanddebates that are vital to the continuingdevelopment of our industry. This year’sconference also featured an incredibly wellreceivedgeotechnicaldebate,withProfessorNathanailjoinedonthepanelbyIndependentConsultant Professor David Norbury and

GEOLABS Ltd’s TechnicalDirector Dr John Powell. Thedebatecentredaroundtheuseand application of Eurocodesand British Standards acrossthe geotechnical industry –a detailed report of this canbe found on page 17 of thismonth’smagazine.

Overall,thegeneralconsensusfrom all exhibitors andattendees was that the eventwasaresoundingsuccess.TheEquipe Group would like to

take this opportunity to thankall of those that exhibited,presented and attended thisyear’sGeotechnica,andhelpedmake it the most successfuleventyet.A special thankyoumust alsobeextended to thisyear’ssponsors:GoldSponsorsCasagrandeUK,SilverSponsorsRockbit UK and MGS, andBronze Sponsors GeotechnicalEngineeringandClearSolutionsInternational.

Plans are already being madefornextyear’sevent,alongsideGeotechnica’ssecondescapadeabroad to Qatar in DecemberofthisyearforGeotechnicaME2013. We encourage any andall attendees to Geotechnica2013tojoinusoutinQatarforwhat is bound to be anotherbeneficial event for thegeotechnical industry. Details

of this event can be found atwww.geotechnicame.com

Rest assured, Geotechnica2014willcontinueonfromthesuccess of this year’s event,whilstmaintainingandbuildinguponitssetofbaseprinciples:Communicate. Promote.Network.Learn.

The full Event Review, withfull statistics and attendancefigureswillbeavailablewithinthe nextweek online atwww.geotechnica.co.uk - keep youreyes peeled to the EquipeGroup’s pages on socialmedia sites like Twitter (@EquipeGroup) and Facebook(Equipe Group) for furtherupdates.

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“Overall, the general consensus from all exhibitors and attendees was that the event was a resounding success.”

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1817

The audience was made upof a good cross section ofthe geotechnical communityincluding clients, consultantsand contractors. A straw pollwould indicatethatmostusedpartsofEurocodebutfewworkexclusivelytothem.

The discussion started with amemberoftheaudienceaskinghowourgeneralperceptionofasuitablegroundinvestigationmightbechangedbyEurocode7 (For example, if theinvestigation is forCategory1structures, suchashousing). Itwas asked, is there anythingwrongwith digging some trialpitsandputtingdownanumberof dynamic sample boreholestoprovidesamplesfortesting?

Regularly practitioners obtainan assessment of allowablebearingpressurefromSPTsandpossibly Triaxial Tests on thecore samples obtained in thisway. It was generally agreed,bytheaudience,thatthiswasacommon form of investigationunder these circumstances.We all want to do a good job

but often we are hamperedbywhattheclientwillpayfor;should the site investigationpractitionerbedoingmore?

The panel also agreed thatthis was common practice. Itis clear that the investigationmethodsdonot strictly followthe guidelines given in EC7,but provided the decision onmethod is carefully thoughtthrough and documented thistype of investigation wouldbe perfectly fine. This shouldof course be backed up withexperience of similar sitesandfoundationtypes.Itwouldalso be caveated that groundconditions should not becomplex.

On the 11th July a discussion session was held at Geotechnica 2013, the UK’s Largest Geotechnical Trade Show and Exhibition. The debate posed the question of whether Eurocodes were being widely used for geotechnical projects at all levels in the UK. The discussion session was led by an eminent panel comprising of Independent Consultant Professor David Norbury; Managing Director of LQM Ltd Professor Paul Nathanail and GEOLABS Ltd’s Technical Director Dr John Powell. Peter Reading took the chair for the event.

“ R e g u l a r l y practitioners obtain an assessment of allowable bearing pressure from SPTs and possibly Triaxial Tests on the core samples obtained in this way.”

It was agreed that conditionswhich would be consideredcomplex might include a highgroundwater table or if therewasariskofcollapseorswelling- under these circumstancesanother approach may berequired. It was agreed thatin any event it was essentialto carry out a full desk studyto identify potential risks andin this way the investigationcould be properly tailored tosuit the site conditions. SuchcircumstanceswereconsideredbythepaneltobeexactlywhereEC7 would want investigationplanningandexecutiontobe.The discussion reminded theaudience that the terminologyused in Eurocode is differenttothatwhichBritishStandardshavepreviouslyadopted.Thereare Clauses which are to beregarded as principles andothers which have a strongcompulsion using the wordshallfortheactionsrequired.ItwasalsostatedthatEurocodesareBritishStandards,

The discussion moved on toconsider the use of the SPTfordesign. Itwould seem thatthisisnowthemostcommonlyusedtesttodeterminegroundstrength and hence assessallowable bearing pressure.It was pointed out that muchof the data used to translatethe penetration resistanceinto an allowable bearingpressure is from work carriedout decades ago. None ofthis research seems to have

assessedtheEnergyRatio.TheEnergy Ratio is a key part ofthe requirements given in BSEN ISO 22476 Part 3 (2005)and enables the penetrationresistance to be normalisedto an energy ratio of 60%. Itis clear from testing carriedout on hammers around theUKthatthereareconsiderable

differencesintheperformanceof similar hammers. Thediscussion then looked atwhatmightbeused tobe theacceptable tolerance for theequipment, whilst the EnergyRatiowouldbeagoodmeasurethis is currently not the case.Eurocode only requires theEnergy Ratio to be measuredand recorded as an averagevalue.Thiscouldmeanthatthemaximumandminimumvaluescould be significantly wide. Itwassuggestedthatthisshouldbe changed and a variationaround themean limitation ofnotmore than10%wouldbemoreuseful.

Following this, the discussionmovedon to theuseofU100samples for strength testing.A very simple question wasposedtothepanel:Canwestillusetheseformsofsample?Theconsensusfromthepanelwasthat whilst samples taken inthisformcannotbeconsideredto be undisturbed, we havebeen using results from themfor decades and as such theyshould still be considered avaluable database. Care mustbe taken when using theseresults and an appropriatecharacteristicvalueshouldbedeterminedwhichtakes

BasedaroundadiscussionsessionheldatGeotechnica2013onThursday11thJuly

TheSPTCalibrationTest:DeterminestheEnergyRatioofSPTHammers.

EUROCODE 7 IN GEOTECHNICAL INVESTIGATION : THE DISCUSSION

“The Energy Ratio is a key part of the requirements given in BS EN ISO 22476 Part 3 (2005) and enables the penetration resistance to be normalised to an energy ratio of 60%.”

2019

account of any uncertainty intherecordedvalues.

It was also pointed out thatmany of our tried and trustedrelationship graphs use eitherSPT values where the EnergyRatio has not been recorded,or undrained shear strengthwherethemethodofsamplingisunknown.Itwasagreedthatthereisanopportunityhereforresearch to be undertaken tovalidatethedatausedintheserelationships.

Further comment was maderegarding the competencyof personnel conducting theinvestigationworks.Therewassignificant comment that intough economic times therewasa tendency tocutcornersandlimitthesizeoftheworks.Itwasagreedthatforthemostpartthiswasdrivenbytheclientwhooftendoesnotwanttopay

orseethepointofcarryingoutextensive investigation works.Thereisalackofdriverswhichwould take the client downa more considered path. It isunderstood that the PlanningRules are currently beingredrafted to take account of

Eurocode. It was consideredthat this might act as thedriver needed to ensure thatinvestigation works are fit forpurpose. Alternatively theinsurance industry may alsobecomeafactor,particularly ifthereweretobeafailureduetopoorquality information.Mostpresentagreedthatqualityhad

fallen but few could see thiscausing a step change unlesssomeoutsideinfluenceweretooccur.

Summingup,all inattendancecould see the benefit ofEurocodes / British Standards,which is considered to be aworthwhile document. Thereis some frustration that thedocumentisslowinappearingand some key documents arestill awaited. However thosethat are available give someexcellent information andprovide a good documentto work with. They do notexclude anymethod from usebut do require a well thoughtout planned methodology.All agreed they embody whatwe would consider to be aprofessional approach togroundinvestigation.

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“It is understood that the Planning Rules are currently being redrafted to take account of Eurocode.”

SENIOR / PRINCEPALGEOTECHNICAL ENGINEER

Soil Consultants is a well established and highly respected geotechnical consultancy serving London and the Home Counties with a wide range of interesting projects. Due to increasing workload and challenging new projects we require a Geotechnical Engineer / Engineering Geologist with about 6 to 10 years experience to join our vibrant professional team. You should be competent in the organisation of investigation projects, interpretive reporting (both in geotechnical and environmental aspects) and have good communication skills. Position based at our Head Office in High Wycombe.

Salary level negotiable plus benefits dependent upon level of experience.Salary level negotiable plus benefits dependent upon level of experience.

Reply with CV to Stuart Wagstaff.

Soil Consultants Ltd Chiltern House, Earl Howe Road, Holmer Green, High Wycombe, Bucks. HP15 6QT Tel: 01494 712494. Email: stuart.w@soilconsultants.co.uk

2221

withPAHs

ToxicityIn terms of human healthrisk, PAHs are a cause ofenvironmental concern due tothetoxicityandcarcinogenicityof some of the compounds ,although this is not uniformacross the range. Benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) is considered tobe themost carcinogenic, andis therefore used as a markercompound by the regulators.The TDI for BaP is 0.02ug/kgbw/daywithanEQSforsurfacewater of 0.05 ug/l (althoughthiswillchangein2015underthe WFD revisions to 0.0001

ug/l).ThecurrentSoilGuidelineValue (SGV) is 1.0 mg/kg forresidential, but the proposedCategory 4 Screening level(C4SL) is 5.3 mg/kg, althoughthis isnot yet inplace. Otherrelatively carcinogenic PAHsinclude:

Indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene,Benzo(b)fluoranthene,Benzo(k)fluoranthene,Benzo(a)anthracene,Dibenzo(a,h)anthracene,Chrysene

Thecarcinogenicriskischronic,not acute, and therefore theonset of symptoms can occurmonthsoryearsafterexposure.Care should always be takentoprotect sitepersonnel fromexposuretoPAHs.

AnalysisSamplesmustbeextractedusinga solvent – this is commonly

dichloromethane (DCM), andwaters can be extracted usinga liquid/liquid systemor solid

phase extraction (SPE). Soilscanbeextractedusingashakemethod, microwave or Soxtec,but they require drying priorto thesolventextraction.Theycanbeovendriedwiththeriskof some loss of naphthalene,or chemically dried usinganhydrous sodium sulphate(preferredmethod).

The most common method ofanalysis for PAHs is by GCMS(gaschromatographywithmassspectroscopy),butitispossibleto analyse just using GC (gaschromatography) providinga clean up is performedprior to analysis to removecoeluting compounds whichmay interferewith the results.GCMSusingSIM(selectiveionmonitoring)isbetter,as

Aromaticcompoundsoriginallymeant ‘fragrant’, but are nowdefined as compounds basedon the benzene molecule.Examples of this group oforganic compounds, usuallyabbreviated to PAHs or PNAs(polynuclear aromatics), arecommonlyfoundonmostsitesdue to the ubiquitous use offossil fuelsandtheirproducts.

Any site where petroleumor coal were used or theirproducts manufactured, islikely to contain PAHs, asthey are introduced into theenvironment by incompletecombustion of the fossilfuels. By definition, theyare formed from two or morefusedbenzenerings–benzeneconsisting of six carbons in aring structure connected byresonatingdoublebonds. There are thousands of PAHs,but research performedin the USEPA laboratories

demonstrated that 80% ofthese can be attributed tosixteencompounds:

NaphthalenePhenanthreneFluorantheneChryseneBenz[a]pyreneIndeno[1,2,3-cd]pyreneAcenaphthylene FluorenePyreneBenz[b]fluorantheneDibenz[a,h]anthraceneAcenaphtheneAnthraceneBenz[a]anthraceneBenz[k]fluorantheneBenzo[ghi]perylene

Naphthalene is the smallestmolecule, consisting of justtwo benzene rings, with theothers gradually increasingin molecular size to the sixringed Indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene.Examples of structures areshowntotheright.

Sampling and Site SafetyIt is importantsamples aretaken in glassc o n t a i n e r s ,as plastic cancause someleaching oforganics into the samples.Waters should be taken in a500ml coloured glass bottle/jarwithaPTFE liner in the lid,and soils in a 250g glass jar,withallsamplesstoredat5+/-3oC.

PAHs are not particularlyvolatile, althoughnaphthaleneisclassedasasemi-volatile,sosomelossesofthiscompoundcan occur from exposed

areas on site. Greater riskscan be from ingestion or skinabsorption, so PPE should beworn by site personnel whenhandling soil contaminated

Writing for theGeotechnica once more is highly valued contributor Hazel Davidson of DerwentsideEnvironmentalTestingServices. This month, Hazel discusses why polyaromatic hydrocarbons are so valuable.

POLYAROMATIC HYDROCARBONSWhyarethesecompoundsimportant?

“Any site where petroleum or coal were used or their products manufactured, is likely to contain PAHs...”

“Naphthalene is the smallest molecule, consisting of just two benzene rings...”

“Greater risks can be from ingestion or skin absorption, so PPE should be worn by site personnel...”

“The carcinogenic risk is chronic, not acute, and therefore the onset of symptoms can occur months or years after exposure.”

“Soils can be extracted using a shake method, microwave or Soxtec, but they require drying prior to the solvent extraction.”

2423

itonlylooksforthecompoundsof interestandwill ignoreanyother compounds which maybepresent,sodoesnotrequireacleanup.

It is important to appreciatethe differing options availablewhenrequestingPAHs:

• Speciated PAHs – all16 compounds individuallyquantified• Total16PAHs–thesumtotalofthe16compoundswithnospeciation• Total aromatics – asstipulated in the TPHCWG,whichwill includemanyotheraromatic compounds, not justthe16• Any of the above pluscoronene–thisisanadditionalPAH significant in the waste

industry

ThedistributionofPAHsderivedfrom petroleum is differentfrom those derived from coal,as coal products are likely tocontain higher concentrationsofthemorecarcinogenicPAHs.In some countries, this is whysurface road planings derivedfrom bitumen (petroleumderived) can be used again,butthosederivedfromcoaltar

cannot.Somelaboratoriescanoffer a PAH Double Plot RatioAnalysistodeterminethelikelysourceofthePAHs. Because of these variousoptions, it can be useful toconsultyour laboratorybeforedecidingonthecorrectanalysisforyoursite.

Summary

PAHsareorganiccontaminantscomposedofvaryingnumbersof benzene rings,with sixteenof them listed as prioritypollutants.Theyareintroducedinto the environment by theincomplete combustion offossilfuels,petroleumandcoal,and some species are classedas carcinogenic, with Benzo(a)pyrene being consideredthe most carcinogenic forhumanhealth riskassessment.Analysis is performed usingsolventextraction,followedbygaschromatography,andmassspectroscopy (GCMS) as thepreferredmethod. Becauseoftheirubiquitousnature,almostallsitesshouldinvolveanalysisforPAHs.

“...it only looks for the compounds of interest and will ignore any other compounds which may be present...”

“Some laboratories can offer a PAH Double Plot Ratio Analysis to determine the likely source of the PAHs.”

“PAHs are organic c o n t a m i n a n t s composed of varying numbers of benzene rings, with sixteen of them listed as priority pollutants.”

2625

WeareallfamiliarwithPortlandcement (CEM I), and we arebecoming increasingly familiarwith the growing range ofsustainable low CO2 cements,suchasCEMIIandCEMIIIthatare often used in structuralconcreteapplications.

However,thereisanothertypeof cement that is producedin the UK which is probablymuch less familiar to readersof theGeotechnica; ‘Ultrafine’cementswhicharespecificallyproduced and formulated foruse in grouts in geotechnicalengineering and in otherspecialised applications. Thisarticle explores the propertiesof these products, highlightstheir differences from

conventional cements andshowsoneidealapplication.

The most common use ofultrafine cement grouts ingeotechnical engineering isfor strengthening porous orfissuredsoilandbedrock,orforreducingwaterflowthroughtheground.Thelatterisparticularlyimportantfortunnelsandmineworkings.

Theidealgroutshouldhave:

• Lowviscosity• Theabilitytocompletely fillvoids• Resistancetowashout• Freedomfrombleed andsegregation(even underpressure)• Predictablesettingand hardening characteristics• Highstrengthandlow permeabilityinthe hardenedstate

Another key parameter is themaximumcementparticlesize(D95). This is kept as low aspossiblebecausetogetherwiththeparticle shape theparticlesize controls the minimum

poreorfissuresizethatcanbepenetratedbythegrout.

Conventionally, it is oftenassumed that, the size of theminimum fissure that can bepenetratedisabout3timesthemaximum particle size of thecement.

Additionally, the grout shouldremain fluid for the desiredperiodoftimeandbefreefromexcessivebleed(toensurethatthecementparticlesremaininsuspension).

Conventional practice is toassume that the smallestgroutable crack width will bethree times greater than themaximum particle size in thegrout. Consequently, cementswith the very finest grain size(oftenwith95%ormoreoftheparticles (D95) being smallerthan 10 µm), are used forinjection into hard rock, with

tight joints and fissures. Formore open fissures or poroussoils, cement with a slightlylargerhigherD95isacceptable.In comparison the D95 of atypicalCEMImaybeashighas50µm.

Applications of Ultrafine cements

Other applications of highfineness cements outsidegeotechnical engineeringinclude floor levellingcompounds,fine-grainedrepairmaterialsandotherformulatedproducts.Thereisawiderangeof products with differentfineness levels and using onewith a fineness somewherebetween the extremely finerock grout cement and thecoarser conventional cement,is usually the best solution.In fact, any application wherea very fine grained product isrequired(forexampleconcretework-tops for kitchens orindustrial facilities perhaps),might benefit from the use ofanultrafinecement.

Writing for theGeotechnica for the first time is Bill Price, National Commercial Technical Manager of LafargeTarmacCement&Lime. In this month’s article, Bill gives readers a highly insightful introduction to Ultrafine cements.

Ground Stabilisation

Pre-injection

Repair Grouts

CONTROLLED FINENESS: ‘ULTRAFINE’ CEMENTS

Figure 1: Typical applications for ultrafine cements.

“The most common use of ultrafine cement grouts in geotechnical engineering is for strengthening porous or fissured soil and bedrock...”

“ C o n v e n t i o n a l l y , it is often assumed that, the size of the minimum fissure that can be penetrated is about 3 times the maximum particle size of the cement.”

“For more open fissures or porous soils, cement with a slightly larger higher D95 is acceptable.”

Figure 2: Comparison of typical PSD curves of Microcem and a conventional CEM I Portland cement.

2827

The manufacture of Ultrafine cements

Producing cement that fulfilsthese exacting requirementsdemandsadifferentproductionprocesstoconventionalcement,withfarmoreemphasisonthemilling process and control oftheparticlesizedistribution.

Although strictly speaking,suchcementsdonotfallwithintheremitofBSEN197-1,theyarebasedon Portland cementclinkerandinmostwaysbehavethe same as Portland cement(CEM I).UltrafinePortland-slagformulationsarealsoavailablefromsomemanufacturers.

One exception to this similarbehaviour, however, is thesettingtime.Veryfinecementswould, of course, be expectedto set relatively quickly and ifallowedtohydrate.

However, the setting timemayneedtobeengineeredtobe faster or slower than thenormal range for EN 197-1cements depending on where

theproductisbeingapplied.Tothis end, specially formulatedorganicadditivescanbeaddedrather than relying entirely onconventional calcium sulfates(gypsum) to regulate theset. The ultimate strength ofultrafine cements may oftenbe higher than conventionalcement.

Ultrafine cements aretechnically very sophisticatedproductsandthequalitycontrolregimediffersfromthatappliedto conventional cements. Inadditiontothenormalchecks,regularmeasurementofthefullparticle sizedistributionusinglaser diffraction granulometry,monitoring both the D95 andthe narrowness of theparticlesize distribution are carriedout.Frequentchecksonsettingtimeandbleedcharacteristics,using tests related to the site

useoftheproductsratherthanthenormalEN196cementtestmethods, arealsoanessentialpart of the quality controlprocess.

Simply speaking, mixing ofinjection grouts on site isusually carried out in a high-shear colloidal mixer, whichpromotes good internalcohesion and low bleed. It isalso important to avoid over-mixing that could lead tounwantedheatbuildupinthegrout (typically the cementcontentofgroutismuchhigherthan concrete) and reductionsin fluidity and setting time.The grout is then transferredto an agitator tank for storageup to 30-40 minutes. Fromtheagitator tank,groutcanbeinjected using high pressurepistonpumpsintotherock.

An example of an Ultrafine cement – Lafarge Tarmac Microcem

Lafarge Tarmac Microcem isthe only commercial UltrafinePortland cement currently

produced in the UK and hasbeen produced since 1994.It was produced initially inresponse to the demands of

the mining industry, but theproduct performance hasevolved with time and it isnow increasingly used forgeotechnical engineering. It isavailableasbothapackedandabulkproduct.

Lafarge Tarmac CementproducesitsMicrocemrangeofcontrolledfinenesscementsatits Barnstone special cementsworks in Nottinghamshire.Interestingly, the Barnstoneworks which opened in 1875,was thefirstworks in Englandto utilise a rotary kiln. TheMicrocem isproducedbyveryfinely grinding clinker fromthe Cauldon works togetherwith selected set regulatingadmixtures, in a dedicatedclosed-circuit mill with a highefficiency separator. The highefficiency separator (whichcontinuously returns thecoarser particles to the millfor further grinding) is a keyfactor in maintaining efficientproduction and produces anarrowspreadofparticlesizes.

Fineness testing is carried outvery frequently (sometimes asoften as one test every fourtonnes), in order to adjust themillingregimeandmaintainthedesired fineness. The specificsurfacearea(Blaine)canbeashighas1000m2/kgcomparedto around 300-450 m2/kgfor a typical CEM I cement,and products with a range of

different finenesses, suitablefor differing applications, areavailable. The production ofsuch high fineness materialsrequires much more millingthan conventional CEM I,which when combined withthe organic set regulationadditives and the intensivetesting regime, increases thecost of production relative toconventionalcement.

The Ultrafine cement market

Sales volumes of ultrafinecementsareverylowbynormalcement industry standards, asgeotechnical grouts are oftenusedinrelativelylowvolumes(compared to structuralconcrete), but they are highvalue and sophisticatedniche products. As mightbe expected, the carbonfootprintofUltrafinecementissimilar, or slightly higher, thanconventional Portland cement,but given the small quantitiesused on a typical project incomparisonwith concrete andother common constructionmaterials, its contribution totheoverallcarbon footprintofaprojectisusuallyverysmall.

Ultrafine cement basedgrouts are a relatively recent

introduction to the range ofgeotechnicalgroutingmaterialsin a market where chemicalgrouts have traditionally

dominated. They are nowstarting to replace chemicalgrouts in many aspects ofgeotechnical engineering due,inpart,totheirhigherstrengthandreducedchemicalhazards.In essence they combine thestrength of structural cementgroutswith the injectabilityofchemicalgrouts.

Whilst the use of Ultrafinecements in the UK hadhistoricallydeclinedalongsidethe reduction in miningactivity, increased emphasisontunnellingandundergroundstructuresinurbanconstructionprojects (suchasCrossrailandHS2) has delivered steadyincreasesinsalesvolumesoverthelastfiveyearsandisaclearindicatorof agrowing interestinultrafinecements.Figure3:Using theMalvernGranulometer todetermine theparticle sizedistributionofan

ultrafinecement.

“Ultrafine cements are technically very sophisticated products...”

“...the product performance has evolved with time...”

“They are now starting to replace chemical grouts in many aspects of geotechnical engineering...”

Figure4:TheLafargeTarmacBarnstoneworkswhereMicrocemisproduced

3029

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