At the beginning of January 2024, the NHBC published their new Standards for the year and this included a new chapter on the use of, and technical requirement for Engineered Fill that is put down to support residential development sites. The use of filling or earthworks on construction sites serves several important purposes including preventing flooding, enhancing drainage, planning roads, establishing a suitable ground profile or as a ground improvement technique where shallow to moderately deep existing Made Ground can be excavated and relaid to provide a reliable development platform for raft foundations or similar. In summary the new guidance document requires the following steps are taken by the developer:-
Ground Investigation:
Conduct a thorough ground investigation appropriate for the proposed development, considering site conditions and the nature of the filling.
Geotechnical Ground Models:
Develop geotechnical ground model(s) that take into account the proposed development, as well as underlying ground and groundwater conditions.
Engineered Fill Placement to an Earthworks Specification:
Place engineered fill according to a suitable earthworks specification.
Testing and Documentation:
Undertake appropriate geotechnical laboratory acceptability testing and in situ compliance testing.
Document the testing processes and results.
Provide verification to relevant authorities, such as the National House Building Council (NHBC).
Geo-integrity can help with all stages of this process. If you need advice or require a quote give us a call on 01280 816409 or email us.
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