Earthworks & Pavement Foundations

Tuesday 31 January 2006, Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa

This seminar provided over 180 delegates with the opportunity to learn about the latest requirements of the Highways Agency and provided a discussion forum on a range of aspects of the theory and practice of earthworks and pavement foundations.

Morning Session - Earthworks

Chaired by IHT President David Hutchinson

David Patterson from the Highways Agency gave a description of the Safety Standards and Research (SSR) Directorate role. He also outlined projects relevant to the delegates attending this Earthworks & Pavement Foundation seminar.

Presentation >>

Raphael Lung from the Highways Agency gave a presentation on ‘Revision of 600 Clauses within Specification for Highway Works: What & Why?

For more details please see abstract below and attached presentation

Series 600 Clauses are used extensively for highways earthworks in the UK. Any revision to its Clauses will have implication to the economics of a road scheme. From time to time, it is also necessary to introduce new materials or new methods of construction if there are potential benefits. Selected revised and new Clauses will be presented along with the reasons for discussion and debate. A brief summary of the internal process for updating 600 Series will also be outlined.

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Alan Phear, Principal Geotechnical Engineer, Arup gave a presentation on ‘Performance Specifications – Interim Conclusions’

Afternoon Session – Pavement Foundations

Chaired by Alex Kidd, Senior Geotechnical Advisor, Highways Agency

Wyn Lloyd from the Highways Agency Pavement Engineering Team gave a presentation on New Design Methods. This looked at revisions to both HD25 and HD 26.

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Martyn Jones, Principal Engineer from Scott Wilson Pavement Engineering (SWPE) gave a presentation on ‘Pavement Foundations: Practical Applications Case Study – A19 Thirsk Bypass’.

For more details please see abstract below and attached presentation

By way of a road pavement rehabilitation case study, this presentation demonstrates the following:

• How recent developments in foundation design and specification were implemented;
• How innovative research was employed during the site investigation, subsequent foundation design and thereafter performance testing during the Works;
• Issues arising, in terms of initial performance testing failing to achieve the minimum foundation design criteria; and
• How these issues were addressed such that final verification testing 6 months following completion of the Works has revealed a rehabilitated pavement structure which is performing consistent with the design.

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Dr John Perry, Director of Foundations and Geotechnics at Mott MacDonald gave a presentation on ‘Stabilisation (HA74 revisited) HA 74/00 ‘Treatment of fill and capping materials using either lime or cement or both’’

For more details please see abstract below and attached presentation

This is a widely respected document which is highly regarded by the stabilisation industry. Recent experience, research and other initiatives such as the publication of TRL Report 447 as well as the introduction of European standards for both testing and specification of stabilised materials require revisions to the document to bring it up to date.  The revised Advice Note will encourage greater use of stabilisation techniques on HA projects with considerable benefits of economics and sustainability.

Presentation >>

To register an interest in the IHT/Engineering Group of the Geological Society Annual Joint Seminar in Leamington Spa 2007 please e-mail:
e: conferences@iht.org

Download final programme >>