Marine geotechnical investigations on the Mersey
RSKโs geoengineering specialists Structural Soils helped to design and construct the Mersey Gateway bridge by providing marine geotechnical investigations. Right from the outset, the team knew the complex site, including its environment and isolated position, would provide plenty of technical and logistic challenges, so it engaged the wider RSK group of companies for its extensive skillset.
Difficult terrain; specialist tools
The dynamic site is a 1-km-wide tidal estuary with an irregularly shaped large sandbank in the centre. Deeper water surrounds the sandbank, which is submerged by high spring tides. The riverside on both sides is salt flats, and the nearest harbour is more than 20 km downriver.
Considering the timeframe and the site location, RSK applied a multidisciplinary approach. Deploying specialist equipment, including a jack-up platform and a spud-legged barge, made accessing the site and drilling easier. Using the jack-up platform, engineers drilled 28 boreholes in the deep-water channels and moved the platform according to the tidal cycle. Directly from the sandbankโs surface, engineers drilled boreholes through the sandbank using equipment positioned on the spud-legged barge. In many boreholes, in-situ, high-pressure rock dilatometer testing was undertaken incrementally as the boreholes progressed. Once completed, specialists began double packer permeability testing and geophysical logging, including optical and acoustic logging.
Transporting the drilling equipment to the site involved a 20-km journey upriver from the nearest dock. RSK appointed local contractors with good knowledge of the river and access to low draught vessels. Boats with outboard engines could not be used owing to a build up of sediment deposits on the riverbed, so a hovercraft and helicopter, operated by RSK Orbital, transported engineers from shore to the sandbank and the drilling platform. To ensure the highest level of environmental safeguarding, RSK implemented a wide range of control measures and contingency plans for potential pollution incidents affecting the estuary and undertook noise monitoring and abatement measures to ensure that the ground investigations did not set a poor precedent of noise impacts on nearby residents and businesses.
โIโd like to thank every single person who got us to this point, on what has been a long and sometimes challenging journey,โ offered a delighted local official.
- Location: England
- Client: Halton Borough Council
- Project status: Completed
Supporting the creation of a new garden village in Cheshire
View ProjectRepairing lightning damage on a wind turbine in Scotland
View ProjectHelping Singapore meet its future waste disposal needs
View ProjectDesigning and assessing an onshore wind farm in the Highlands of Scotland
View ProjectDesigning and assessing proposed windfarms in Scotland
View ProjectEnvironmental and social risk appraisal support for African โpower-to-xโ development
View ProjectConsulting on the construction of the Keppel Marina East Desalination Plant, Singapore
View ProjectBringing international best practice and process to phase 2 of Singaporeโs Deep Tunnel Sewerage System
View ProjectFacilitating renewable energy investments in Europe
View ProjectEnsuring shale gas projects for Poland and beyond
View ProjectProviding award-winning storm water solutions for urban flooding challenges
View ProjectUpgrading sewage treatment facilities to serve community needs in Hong Kong
View Project
๐ณ๏ธโ๐ RSK is proud to stand alongside members and allies of the LGBTQ+ community.
๐ People deserve to be their authentic selves and love freely without fear.
You can read Graeme and Abigail's full stories next week in RSK insights. Keep an eye on our social media for more information.
#rskfamily #pride #pridemonth #loveislove #lgbtq
๐ธ #selfiesonsite ๐คณ
Ryan Dunderdale, Senior Surveyor at Central Alliance, providing technical support and on-site training to datum plate install teams down in Bristol.
Want to join our team? View our latest opportunities ๐ www.rskgroup.com/careers
#RSKgroup #behindthescenes #meettheteam #RSKfamily #RSKonsite #engineering #construction
๐ In the June edition of our #employeespotlight, we spoke with with Rosie Pearce at Stephenson Halliday and Carmen Snowdon at WRc Group to find out about their recent achievements ๐
๐ Congratulations to you both!
Click the link in our bio to find out more!
#rskfamily #employeeapprecitation #team #landscapeinstitute #instituteofwater #architecture
"If you donโt feel valued, represented and respected in your workplace, then inevitably your #wellbeing will suffer.โ
๐ In our latest edition of #ADayInTheLife, we spoke with Ellen Lapworth-Maisey, Wellbeing, #Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Manager at RSK โ a fascinating position that helps to create an inclusive and empowering #culture for all RSK staff.
Click the link in bio to learn more!
#RSKGroup #RSKfamily #diversity #inclusion #mentalhealth
๐ธ #selfiesonsite ๐คณ
Some pictures of the Envireau Water staff on site.
Want to join our team? View our latest opportunities ๐ www.rskgroup.com/careers
#RSKgroup #behindthescenes #meettheteam #RSKfamily #RSKonsite #waterindustry #construction
๐ถ ๐ฃ๐ฒ๐ฑ๐ผ๐บ๐ฒ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐๐ต๐ฎ๐น๐น๐ฒ๐ป๐ด๐ฒ ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ฎ๐ฎ ๐ฐ๐ผ๐ป๐ฐ๐น๐๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ ๐ฎ ๐๐๐ฐ๐ฐ๐ฒ๐๐
#RSKSteps came to an end on Tuesday 31 May after a month of stepping adventures.
๐๐ป ๐ป๐๐บ๐ฏ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐:
โ๏ธ1449 participants
โ๏ธ332,268,416 steps
โ๏ธยฃ1500 raised for our chosen charity, MIND!
Read more about this fantastic challenge in our bio!
#RSKGroup #RSKfamily #wellbeing #health #mentalhealth #walking
#RSKEvents
๐ Join Dirk Van Look and Chris Hughes on our webinar all about #PFAS โ perfluoroalkyl substances, which are both human-made and known to be harmful to humans.
๐ก We will showcase real-life examples to demonstrate how RSK is responding and developing capabilities to assess these emerging #contaminants.
Find out more and register now in our bio!
#RSKGroup #RSKfamily #PFAScontaminants #foreverchemicals #chemicals
๐ In light of #PrideMonth, we are sharing information about how to become a better ally. #Pride offers a sense of solidarity and a platform for expression.
Keep an eye out for our upcoming posts!
#RSKGroup #rskfamily #LGBT #LGBTQ+ #inclusion #diversity #LGBTally #Pride2022
๐ข RSK is pleased to announce it has further expanded its presence in Ireland by acquiring one of the most reputable tree care companies in the country.
๐ณ Dermot Casey Tree Care was founded in the 1970s by Managing Director Dermot Casey and is one of the most highly regarded tree surgery companies in Ireland, with more than 50 years of experience.
Find out more in our bio!
#RSKGroup #RSKfamily #treecare #landscape #treesurgery #landscaping #nature