Geo-Environmental Consultancy – Lancashire

Summary:

In 2023, Omnia were commissioned by the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) to provide Geo-Environmental Consultancy Support on their campus in Preston, Lancashire. UCLan were proposing to build an extension to their Dentistry Facility, a process which included the demolition of an existing single-storey building and replaced with a larger extension

Scope of Works:

At the Dentistry in Preston city centre, our Geo-Environmental Consultants undertook a Phase I Desk Top Study followed by a Phase II Ground Investigation, to gather information of the underlying ground conditions including in-situ soil strengths. The aims of the investigation were to provide an assessment of risks posed to human health and controlled waters by shallow site soils, an assessment of risks posed by ground gasses, and to provide outline geotechnical assessment including presumed bearing capacities to assist with foundation design.

The site works comprised window sample borehole drilling in 5no locations and installation of 3no boreholes with monitoring pipework. 3no return gas/groundwater monitoring visits were undertaken.

Outcome:

Omnia carried out a human health risk assessment and a controlled waters risk assessment for the site and recommended that no further works were required in either case. Following completion of the monitoring programme, the ground gas assessment concluded that no specific ground gas protection measures were required. Omnia produced an outline geotechnical assessment for the site, including presumed allowable bearing capacities, concrete classification, and advice on floor slab design.