A F Howland Associates services

Geotechnical Design applies the fundamentals of soil and rock mechanics to civil engineering design and construction.  AFHA provide a bespoke, site specific service when assessing the geotechnical requirements of proposed developments.Every ground investigation is site specific and tailored to meet the engineering requirements of each project.The scope of works of the investigation will depend upon the anticipated ground conditions and the construction proposals.

Subsidence is a major cause of failure of structures due to excessive settlement of foundations. There can be a multitude of causal factors including: Instability due to the presence of naturally occurring voids or unmapped mine shafts or workings, Settlement and compaction of soils due to percolation of water, Groundwater level fluctuations, Variation in the moisture content of clay soils

A F Howland Associates` experience in litigation includes formulating the contractual conditions and specification for term contracts for site investigations such as the London Docklands Development Scheme. We engineered the innovative approach to provide a specific term contract for chemical/environmental investigations as well as one for traditional geotechnical investigations, which is believed to be the first of its kind.

A F Howland Associates provide a research and development service whereby we are contracted to assess and evaluate construction processes, describe the basic mechanics and develop guidelines for the use of our clients for their respective projects. We have developed design guidelines for the construction process of soil nailing for use in flood defence systmes for clients sich as the Environment Agency. As part of this service we also described the wider potential of the system, outside of those simply related to embankment stability, as well as exploring the financial options available to the EA for the use of the system.

The thermal resistivity of soils can be measured in the field in trial pits or boreholes or under laboratory conditions.  The results provide data to determine the thermal insulating properties of a soil.  A F Howland Associates can collect and provide the raw data needed to derive cable ratings for underground cable routes.  Laboratory measurements can be carried out on undisturbed soil samples or re-compacted soils.  Compaction can be performed on soils samples gained from the field or on soil provided that is to be used for cable trench backfill. The compaction can be applied to provide the in-situ density or a specified density. Typical applications: onshore wind farm and sub-station cable routes.

Electrical resistivity of soil or rock can be measured using. Electrical resistivity testing can be performed on soils or rock to provide corrosivity values of for accurate selection of appropriate pipeline materials. A F Howland Associates can carry out this testing in the field or in the laboratory on undisturbed or disturbed samples.

If significant levels of contamination are identified by the Phase One and Two investigations, developments do not necessarily stop. A site specific Remediation Method Statement can be designed, which, subject to LPA approval, can allow development to proceed. Methods of remedial works can include the following: Excavation and replacement, Strategic emplacement of hard cover, Utilising ground gas ingress prevention techniques, Pump and dispose/treatment of groundwater. Validation of the remediation is subsequently undertaken to ensure that the method statement has been followed, this usually comprises further testing to confirm contamination has been removed.