Engineers Ireland

Conference aim

To inform delegates of the geotechnical knowledge and experience gained in the major road construction programme completed during 2000 to  2010 in Ireland.

Overview

During the period from 2000 to 2010 Ireland experienced a transformation of its major road infrastructure. This construction programme involved huge challenges for geotechnical engineers initially involved in planning and investigation phases of routes and later in the detailed design, construction and operation phases. The decade saw the introduction of design – build and PPP contracts into Ireland as well as the presence of international contractors, which required changes in geotechnical engineering practice to increase the focus on developing alternative construction methods and economics that best suited a single Contractor or Joint Venture Group.
The Conference aims to share the geotechnical knowledge and experience gained during this period by publishing case histories of major projects involving difficult ground or geologic conditions and by having recognised geotechnical experts share their insights into critical issues including the following:

• problems and opportunities of glacial till soils as fill material;
• the successes and failures of piled embankments in bridging over very deep soft ground;
• how to assess the risks, adequately investigate and design mitigation measures for roads traversing karst bedrock;
• design, construction and performance of temporary works including open excavations, soil nail reinforced slopes and sheet pile support systems for roads projects in a variety of soils.

Lastly the Conference will outline the proposed changes to DMRB and SRW Series 600 in respect of Earthworks that has recently been published by the NRA and the rationale and reasons for these changes.

Learning objectives

• Excellent case history experiences in major roads projects not previously published;
• Expert opinions on the lessons learnt in critical aspects of geotechnical practice in Ireland;
• Technical guidance on specific areas including glacial till as fill material, piled embankments, karst, temporary works,
• Update on proposed changes to DMRB & NRA Series 600 as related to Earthworks .

Programme

• Geotechnical Challenges on Road Construction in Ireland 2000 - 2010
  Fintan Buggy, Roughan & O’Donovan
• Use of Irish Glacial Tills in Earthworks
  Conor O’Donnell, AGL Consultants
• Piled Embankments – recent experiences
  Wyatt Orsmond
• Geotechnical Aspects of N25 Waterford Bypass
  Aled Phillips, Arup
•  Investigation, Design & Construction in Karst
  Turlough Johnston, AGEC
  Peter Rutty, Mott MacDonald Limited
• Temporary Works for Major Roads Projects
  Mark Peters, Byrne Looby & Partners
• A2 Maydown to Derry City Airport
  Kevin Raven, Hyder Consultants
• Changes to DMRB & NRA SRW Series 600 Earthworks
  Patrick Casey, Arup

Who should attend

Civil, geotechnical engineers and engineering geologists working with Consultants, Contractors, NRDOs and Local Authorities who are involved in investigating, designing, constructing, approving or supervising bridge and road works construction in Ireland and elsewhere.