Winter 2015Sharing knowledge, building best practice

EMBEDDED RETAINING WALLSForthcoming revised CIRIA guidance will cover Eurocode compliance, the difficulties of working in softer, less competent ground, and the many advances in engineering analyses, design and construction.

Big Biodiversity Challenge and Awards 2015

SuDS and construction: getting it right the first time

Contaminated sediments: the way forward

Comment

For more than 55 years CIRIA has been at the forefront of providing good practice guidance to the construction industry. This year is no different and as most of you will be aware, we launched the updated SuDS Manual (C753) to a packed room at the House of Commons in November 2015. The new Manual (page 21) focuses on the cost-effective planning, design, construction, operation and maintenance of SuDS, incorporating the very latest research, industry practice and guidance.

Hot on the heels of the updated SuDS guidance, will be the release of the updated Embedded retaining walls (C760) due out in spring 2016. The original guide (C580) published in 2003 fast became the industry standard reference text both in the UK and overseas. CIRIA received huge support from industry for developing the new guide (pages 2-5), which will be Eurocode compliant (EC7, EC2 and EC3) and cover advances in engineering analyses, design and construction. In this issue Lee Kelly, CIRIA Project Manager, interviews members of the project steering group on what readers can expect from the new guide.

The Big Biodiversity Challenge and awards have continued to lead the way in raising the profile of biodiversity within construction. On pages 6-9 we celebrate this year’s Big Biodiversity Challenge awards winners with EM Highways Services (part of Kier Group) scooping the ‘Overall’ and ‘Pollinator’ awards.

On pages 13-14 Ruth Hynes, CIRIA Network Manager, discusses our role in supporting the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) and outlines recent network events examining infrastructure resilience, urban ecology and ethical sourcing.

CIRIA’s work within the SuDS area is renowned. No sooner was the SuDS Manual (C753) published, than our team embarked on a new project. On pages 18-19 Suzanne Simmons, CIRIA Project Manager, discusses SuDS and construction – a new project exploring getting things right the first time with SuDS construction.

Many of you will be familiar with our contaminated land guides, which have gained much attention over the last 15 years. On pages 22-23, a related new CIRIA project outlines why the issue of contaminated sediments can no longer be ignored. CIRIA’s work spans a wide range of topics, and as usual not all of them can be covered in this update. However, we have highlighted forthcoming guidance on Tower Crane stability as well as the further development of lean in construction in this issue. Full details of forthcoming activities and guidance is available from our website.

CIRIA projects are a true collaborative team effort, with our appointed research contractors, project steering groups and wider stakeholders working together to address industry challenges and opportunities. We would like to thank readers who have contributed to our projects over the years and encourage others to look for opportunities to become involved. Further details of projects seeking industry engagement can be found throughout this issue of Evolution or by visiting www.ciria.org

We look forward to working with you to develop and deliver industry improvement and a better built environment for all.

Bill Healy Chief Executive

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Contents

9%

50%

24%

18%

In the past 2-3 years, how much of your work / projects have exposed you to Lean?

Not at all

Very few

Up to 50%

Up to 100%

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16

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Water SuDS and construction: getting it right the first time

CIRIA TrainingHelping you get ahead

Process Lean construction

Sustainability BIG Biodiversity Challenge and Awards 2015

Collaborating for impact

InfrastructureStability of

tower cranes

SustainabilityValuing urban ecology and city resilience

InfrastructureEmbedded retaining walls

The CIRIA Network

InfrastructureContaminated

sediments

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EmBEDDED rEtAining wAllS – upDAtED guiDAnCE for 2016Lee Kelly, Project Manager, CIRIA, discusses the challenges involved in updating the existing CIRIA guidance on embedded retaining walls and opportunities it presents

infrAStruCturE

Diaphragm wall, Crossrail’s Tottenham Court Road Station. Photo supplied courtesy of BBMV

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Q Why was there a need to update C580?

C580 was written before the final version of EC7 was published and some significant changes were made to earlier drafts, particularly with regard to the design approaches. (DB)

C580 needed revising to provide authoritative guidance compliant with the requirements of the Eurocodes and National Annexes, but also to capitalise on where Eurocodes allow the designer to exercise innovation. (BM)

To take into account the development in design and construction practice over the last decade. In addition it would incorporate all the recent project experience, advancement in design software and construction techniques. (MG)

To harmonise the changes within EC7, BS 8002:2015 and other standards and publications. Also, to reflect advances in understanding of numerical modelling and ground movements relevant to the design of embedded walls. (GW)

There was a need for C580 to reflect current codes of practice and standards, especially the Eurocodes. Coverage of design in weak rocks and soils other than stiff clays to achieve consistency was a logical extension. Designers also sought clear guidance on selection of characteristic values and how to sensibly avoid unnecessary conservatism. (KR)

In 2003, CIRIA published C580 Embedded retaining walls. This guide quickly became the industry standard reference text for practising engineers involved in the planning and design of embedded retaining walls both in the UK and overseas. The principles it set out also found much broader application to the design and construction of deep excavations and underground structures. While C580 was hugely influential and an invaluable aid, it became clear that it required both revision and some extension in its scope.

Background CIRIA gained huge industry support for developing new guidance which would include full Eurocode compliance, compatibility of Eurocode 7 (EC7) with Eurocodes 2 (EC2) and 3 (EC3), the difficulties of working in softer, less competent ground, and the many (often subtle) advances in engineering analyses, design and construction.

Lee Kelly, CIRIA Project Manager, spoke to members of the project steering group: Brian McGinnity, (BM) Professional Head of Civil Engineering, London Underground and Chair of the PSG; David Beadman,(DB) Director, Byrne Looby Partners UK; Michael Gavins, (MG) Chief Engineer, Ground Engineering, Atkins; Graham White, (GW) Senior Technical Manager, ArcelorMittal Sheet Piling and Keith Reeves, (KR) Senior Geotechnical Engineer, HS2 Ltd. Discussion was framed around four key questions:

Cover image: Eastney Wall. Photo supplied courtesy of Bachy Soletanche

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Looking forward The new CIRIA guide is due to be published in Spring 2016. Organisations across the globe will be able to use the knowledge and experience that has been accumulated in the new guidance to improve their approach. They will also have the opportunity to offer clients more efficient and competitive solutions for the next generation of major infrastructure projects and basement construction in both the UK and overseas.

Q What opportunities are there for civil/ground engineering projects as a result of this new guide?

An opportunity to avoid being overly conservative. (DB)

I am confident that the revised C580 will be seen by the civil engineering industry as a coherent and authoritative guidance that collates the best ideas and experience available compliant with the requirements of the Eurocodes. (BM)

This project should assist collaborative design and construct processes ensuring clients; consultants and contractors have an excellent common reference document for retaining wall solutions. (MG)

Observational design strategy for temporary steel sheet piling embedded walls and collection and use of data for further research. (GW)

5 Complete design guidance for ground anchors consistent with BS 8081:2015 and prop design consistent with BS 8002:2015, including recent case studies from major infrastructure projects.

6 Updating ground movement data obtained from various scenarios modelled by the research team, including guidance on the effects of excavation geometry with new case studies and extension of the database to include soft ground and weak rock conditions.

Q What will the new guide help organisations to achieve?

Clarify the design methodology, remove confusion and provide a consistent approach for designers that will benefit design and build tenders, and reduce debates between designers and Category 3 checkers. (DB)

Ensure compliance with Eurocodes which is mandatory for my organisation London Underground. It has also drawn the key lessons learnt from the use of C580 since 2003. This will assist London Underground in avoiding unnecessary design effort and prevent over conservative solutions. It was also an opportunity for me personally to input and influence an important piece of work, the project output of which will be used by industry practitioners for many years to come. (BM)

Undertake economic designs using good practice while complying with the relevant codes and ensuring organisations understand and adopt the optimum construction techniques available. (MG)

Harmonisation with other publications such as the ‘in press’ Piling Handbook 9th edition as a ‘non contradictory complementary information’ document with Eurocodes and Design Approach 1. (GW)

We anticipate that designs will become more economical as a result of the provision of clear authoritative design guidance and more information regarding the performance of existing structures. An emphasis on the benefits of appropriate ground investigation and increased adoption of the Observational Method where appropriate should also drive economy. (KR)

In March 2014, CIRIA officially responded to industry need for an update and extension of C580 with the successful acquisition of collaborative funding and the procurement of a research consortium led by Arup, together with Cementation Skanska and the University of Southampton.

Q What were the challenges in updating C580?

Maintaining consistency with EC7 while recognising how the design methodology within the industry has evolved to incorporate its requirements. Some clauses in EC7 can be interpreted in various ways, which can either make the design very difficult to undertake or in some cases make the design fundamentally wrong. (DB)

Balancing the requirement to comply with the Eurocodes while ensuring economic design and compatibility with UK practice. (MG)

Producing a guide that is easy to follow for the civil and structural engineer. (GW)

Achieving consensus between differing and sometimes strongly held views is not easy. Widening the scope of the document and including additional elements required the authors to carefully consider the level of detail to include and what to omit. (KR)

Major changes included in the new publication 1 Full guidance on designing embedded

retaining walls in compliance with EC7 requirements, including new methods detailed guidance for assessing groundwater, wall friction and dealing with accidental load cases and the avoidance of progressive failure.

2 A new framework for understanding and implementing the Observational Method within the Eurocode environment.

3 Updating of construction methodologies and tolerances in-line with current technologies.

4 Detailed design guidance on combining EC2, EC3 and EC7, including new information for rationalisation on crack width assessment.

infrAStruCturE

References

Statutes

BS 8002:2015 Code of practice for earth retaining structures

BS 8081:2015 Code of practice for grouted anchors

BS EN 1993 Eurocode 3: Design of steel structures

BS EN 1992 Eurocode 2: Design of concrete structures

BS EN 1997 Eurocode 7: Geotechnical design

Embedded retaining walls C760 will be available in 2016. Further details will be announced in due course via www.ciria.org

Secant wall. Photo supplied courtesy of BAM

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Show support for CIRIA’s Ground Engineering and infrastructure projects and proposals

Infrastructure data – signposting of good practice in capture, management and analysis (P2952) This new initiative will signpost emerging good practice in the capture, management and analysis of construction and other related data.

Risk assessment for contaminated land – 2014 update (P2963) This project will bring together current understanding and experience in assessing risk in contaminated sites.

Risk assessment for contamination in controlled water (P2930) This project will provide practical guidance on risk assessment and management contaminated controlled water.

Design and Construction of Basements for Domestic Clients - geotechnical considerations (P2997) This best practice report would specifically address the geotechnical design of walls and foundations together with other associated ground related matters.

Defects in hidden bridge components (RP1013) This guide will provide best practise guidance on the inspection and maintenance of the hidden components.

Asbestos from the ground – a site guide (RP1015) This guide will assist site personnel to deal with asbestos from the ground, give them confidence on what actions to take and allow them to work with greater safety and efficiency

The UXO Forum (RP1012) This project has been designed to bring real change to the industry through a series of events and other tools.

Rock slope netting design, installation and maintenance (RP1021) This guide will provide best practice to ensure the consistency of the installation and maintenance of rock slope netting.

Tower crane stability – update (RP999) The update of the 2006 Tower Crane Stability guide (C654) will demonstrate the safe design of tower cranes in response to changes since 2006.

Starting on site (RP1022) This project will produce a guide covering all the key stages in the planning and set-up of a construction site.

To find out more and to get involved contact CIRIA on tel: +44 (0) 20 7549 3300 or email enquiries@ciria.org

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BIG Biodiversity Challenge 2015 Now in its second year, the BIG Biodiversity Challenge to ‘do one thing’ has continued to gather great momentum. Over 100 organisations signed up to the challenge and more than 200 case studies submitted in 2015. Industry support also increased with ABG Geosynthetics, Costain, Kier, Murphy, Sir Robert McAlpine and VolkerWesselsUK becoming new partners. Support from these parters has helped to fund the campaign while showing each partner's commitment as champions of biodiversity in the built environment.

Adrian Shah-Cundy, Head of Corporate Responsibility, VolkerWesselsUK explained the importance of biodiversity to their organisation. “It is well understood that the combination of multiple small losses can have a substantial collective impact on biodiversity, and therefore conversely even the smallest effort to improve a habitat can make a difference. The simplistic beauty of CIRIA’s BIG Biodiversity Challenge is that construction sites and existing buildings can introduce a small biodiversity enhancement and not be discouraged from participating by lack of space, funding or opportunity. This accessibility for everyone to participate is one of the reasons why VolkerWesselsUK fully supports CIRIA’s BIG Biodiversity Challenge, and we look forward to making our own contributions to this environmentally critical initiative.”

Geraint Rowland, Environment Manager, Costain commented “Our environment has never been so important or valued so highly by society and by becoming a Partner of the BIG Biodiversity Challenge we hope to further engage and challenge our people and the wider industry to take an even more active role in enhancing the environment to leave a positive legacy.”

Overview Over the last 12 months CIRIA has continued to lead the way in raising the profile of biodiversity within construction and the built environment. Viewing biodiversity as an essential tool rather than an aesthetic ‘add on’ enables towns and cities to become more resilient to the threats of climate change. Through the development of industry best practice and knowledge sharing promotes the need for biodiversity to be fully incorporated into projects and business plans.

Biodiversity Interest Group 2015 On 19 August 2015, members of the Biodiversity Interest Group attended a site visit of the Green Roofs and Living Walls Centre at the University Of Greenwich. Dr Benz Kotzen, Department of Landscape, gave a presentation on the planning, design and maintenance of the centre, setting the scene for the tour. The walk-through tour allowed for an informal Q&A session with design features and maintenance regimes explained in further detail.

SuStAinABility

INcoRpoRATING BioDivErSity into pRojEcT AND BuSinESS plAnS

Michael Small, CIRIA Project Manager, discusses

raising the profile of biodiversity within

construction through the Big Biodiversity Challenge

and Interest Group

Figure 1 Site visit, University of Greenwich, London

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Map of case study locations 2015 Figure 2 indicates the location of case study submissions to the BIG Biodiversity Challenge 2015. A wide geographical spread from across the UK demonstrates a growing engagement and understanding of biodiversity within construction and the built environment.

BIG Biodiversity Challenge - the next steps In 2016 the BIG Biodiversity Challenge will incorporate a number of new features that reflect growing trends within construction and the built environment. Following industry feedback we are delighted to announce new award categories covering projects at a landscape/master planning scale, further engagement with clients and developing long-term management and maintenance strategies.

As well as updates to the Challenge we are planning a programme of events, seminars and workshops to promote biodiversity at all levels of the construction and development process.

Sign up for the Big Biodiversity Challenge and show your organisation’s commitment to improving biodiversity.

“The BIG Biodiversity Challenge is a fantastic opportunity for organisations to take the initiative and deliver long-term benefits for both biodiversity and the communities they are working in. Moving forward it’s important to engage further with client organisations as a top down approach helps delivers wins for biodiversity whilst creating a legacy which is vital to the long-term success of a project.”

Dr Phil Askew, Project Lead, London Legacy Development Corporation

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Get involved

If you and/or your organisation want to show your commitment to championing biodiversity in construction and the built environment, sign up to the BIG Biodiversity Challenge 2016. The challenge will give you the opportunity to become industry leaders in biodiversity enhancements.

For further details and to sign up visit: www.bigchallenge.info or contact michael.small@ciria.org

The Most Innovative winner 2014 – success so far Following the success of Aberystwyth University’s artificial rockpools project at the 2014 Big Awards Ally Evans, PhD student, Aberystwyth University discusses their progress to date.

“After winning in 2014, we were invited to present our research at a CIRIA workshop Working with nature to enhance hard infrastructure assets held in May 2015. The project was also included as a case study in CIRIA’s second edition of the Coastal and marine environmental site guide (C744).

This exposure raised the profile of our work and we have been approached by a number of developers, consultants and regulators interested in including the enhancement in proposed coastal infrastructure projects. We are working towards refining best practice advice for installing pools and have identified a number of knowledge gaps that we aim to address over the coming years. For example, we are designing experiments to ascertain how many rockpools are needed to deliver real enhancement value on structures of different scales.

We are also investigating how the design would perform in different locations around the world. Pools have already been installed in a coastal defence in Malaysia, and we have identified potential test beds to trial the design further around the UK and Ireland.”

Anyone interested in this research or any potential coastal plans/projects, which may be suitable for biodiversity enhancement should contact Ally Evans allyevans01@gmail.com or Dr. Louise Firth louise.firth@plymouth.ac.uk for further information.

Figure 2

Overall winner/ Pollinator winnerProject name: Area 1 Species Rich Grassland Creation on Roadside VergesLocation: A30 and A38 Exeter to PenzanceOrganisation: EM Highways Services Ltd (Part of Kier Group)Overall award sponsor: Wildflower Turf LtdPollinator award sponsor: Osborne

The pilot scheme took place on the rural road side verges in Cornwall and involved collaboration between Highways England, EM Highways, Glendales and Buglife. The scheme was aligned with Buglife’s B-Lines initiative, which aims to create a nationwide network for pollinators.

The project has shown to be a demonstrable method of achieving best value, is replicable and will lead to biodiversity gain. Due to the success of the pilot scheme EM Highways are now undertaking the further schemes this summer on the A30 Devon (timed to coincide with National Pollinator week), and next summer on the A38 Devon.

Community engagement

Project name: Rosendale Allotments Community Depave

Location: Herne Hill, South London

Organisation: Mace Foundation and London Wildlife Trust Partnership

Community engagement award sponsor: Morgan Sindall

The Rosendale Community Depave project was undertaken by Mace and London Wildlife Trust (LWT) between spring 2014 and summer 2015. The project was born out of a strong local response from the local community following flash flooding in Herne Hill, south London, in 2004.

Following the major construction work, community volunteers joined Mace to sow wildflower seeds and plant perennials, which support local wildlife and soak up the rainwater runoff. The site is open to the public and the space is used by allotment plot holders, for community events as well as for yoga classes!

SuStAinABility

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BIG Biodiversity Challenge 2015

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Large scale permanent winner

Project name: Monks Brook improvements – installation of pool and run habitats

Location: M27 Junction 5 Southampton, Hampshire

Organisation: Highways England, EM Highways Ltd, Interserve, Wild Trout Trust (WTT)

Large scale permanent award sponsor: Skanska

The project was part of a £7m scheme to improve the strategic road network, relieve congestion and improve safety. Part of the project required the Eastleigh Link Culvert through which Monks Brook runs to be lengthened by 11m.

It was identified that work in this culvert could affect the local trout population and it was obvious to the project team that a beneficial legacy could be achieved. There was virtually no suitable habitat for adult fish within 500 m of the culvert before the project. Now, the works have transformed a long section of uniform river bed into an ecologically valuable habitat.

Most innovative winner

Project name: Crown Woods Way Street Trees

Location: Crown Woods Way, Eltham, Royal Borough of Greenwich, London

Organisation: Trees for Cities

Most innovative award sponsor: Kier

Trees for Cities and the Royal Borough of Greenwich developed an innovative and sustainable approach to improve surface water management that would reduce flood risk on Crown Woods Way, a residential street in Greenwich. The project involved combining street tree planting and sustainable urban drainage systems (SuDS), such as rain gardens and specialised tree pits.

Two rain gardens were built to mitigate flood risk while creating natural habitats to support biodiversity. Trees for Cities then developed an innovative approach to adoption by maintaining the trees for a three-year period before handing over to the council at Royal Borough of Greenwich who became responsible for tree maintenance as the landowner.

Small scale permanent winner

Project name: The Abbey Mews Apple Project

Location: Newport, Isle of Wight

Organisation: Arc Consulting

The Abbey Mews Apple Project celebrates urban biodiversity by preserving local distinctiveness in a new development: an orchard lost to the housing estate was cloned through grafting and then replaced along a new riverside green. The blossom and fruit will encourage wildlife on the doorstep of new and existing residents and provide healthy food for free from forgotten varieties with great heritage.

The project was initiated between project ecologists and local residents and adopted by the developer, David Wilson Homes. The long-term benefits will be creating resources for biodiversity, increasing opportunities for wildlife and contributing to the ‘Incredible Edible’ development team on the island.

Temporary winner

Project name: Chiswick Gate

Location: Burlington Lane, London

Organisation: Berkeley Homes (West London)

Temporary award sponsor: Willmott Dixon

Although situated in London, and bordered by two busy main roads, the development is within a suburban setting; within five minutes of the River Thames and near to Chiswick House and Gardens. As part of Berkeley’s commitment to the environment, an ecological survey (pre-planning) of the site was carried out, which found it to have a ‘negligible biodiversity value’.

This gave the site team an opportunity to use the area to enhance the levels of biodiversity and use the outputs to raise awareness of threats to wildlife, both within Berkeley and with subcontractors. Once the development has been completed the enhancements can be removed by operatives or donated to local nature reserves.

AwArd CAteGory wInners

On 15 October 2015 the second annual BIG Biodiversity Challenge Awards took place at the Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew. Congratulations once again to all the winners and many thanks to those organisations who sponsored the award categories in 2015.

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CIRIA publications

With over 600 titles on offer, CIRIA has been and continues to be at the forefront of good practice guidance in the construction industry. While many back catalogue publications are still widely regarded as the best available, more recent publications are quickly being established as authoritative in their own right. Coming soon

Assessment and management of unexploded ordnance (UXO) risk in the marine environment (C754)

This publication provides guidance to organisations involved with the planning, design, delivery, operation and maintenance, decommissioning or regulation of projects in the marine environment on the assessment and management of unexploded ordnance (UXO) risks.

Although the guide is focused on the marine environment, the generic principles of the guidance and many of the geophysical survey techniques and risk mitigation approaches will also have applicability to other water bodies, such as very large inland lakes or reservoirs.

Price: £110 (non member)/£55 (member)ISBN: 978-0-86017-760-9

Fit-out environmental good practice on site guide (C757)

This guide is intended to provide advice on environmental good practice, and is aimed primarily at those responsible for managing fit-out projects. It provides practical, succinct guidance to support the delivery of fit-out projects applicable across a range of sectors. It is focused on the contractor and specifically the site manager, but encourages co-operation between all parts of the supply chain to achieve good environmental practice.

Price: £70 (non member)/£35 (member)ISBN: 978-0-86017-763-0

Forthcoming titles for 2016 Structural and geotechnical design of

modular geocellular drainage systems (C737)

Coastal and marine environmental pocket book, second edition (C745)

Groundwater control: design and practice, second edition (C750)

Abandoned mine workings (C758) Tower crane stability (C759) Embedded retaining walls (C760)

CDM 2015 – workplace ‘in-use’ guidance for designers, second edition (C756)

The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM 2015) apply to construction work undertaken in the UK. This guide helps any person or organisation acting as a designer to meet their obligations with respect to designing, taking account of workplace ‘in-use’ risks. Advice on considering construction risks is provided in CIRIA C755, which also contains more general information about designers’ duties under CDM.

Price: £60 (non member)/£30 (member)ISBN: 978-0-86017-762-3

Web guidesOld waterfront walls (C746D)

ISBN: 978-0-86017-751-7Free to download from: http://www.ciria.org/Resources/Free_publications/Old_waterfront_walls.aspx

Communications and engagement in local flood risk management (C751D)

ISBN: 978-0-86017-757-9Free to download from: http://www.ciria.org/Resources/Free_publications/c751.aspx

Communications and engagement techniques in local flood risk management. Companion guide (C752D)

ISBN: 978-0-86017-758-5Free to download from: http://www.ciria.org/Resources/Free_publications/c751.aspx

Published 2015Environmental good practice on site guide, fourth edition (C741)

Price: £70 (£35)ISBN: 978-0-86017-746-3

Manual on scour at bridges and other hydraulic structures, second edition (C742)

Price: £180 (£90)ISBN: 978-0-86017-747-0

Dams and reservoir conduits. Inspection, monitoring, maintenance and repair (C743)

Price: £150 (£75)ISBN: 978-0-86017-748-7

Coastal and marine environmental site guide (second edition) (C744)

Price: £70 (£35)ISBN: 978-0-86017-749-4

The SuDS Manual (C753)

Price: £395 (£295)ISBN: 978-0-86017-760-9

CDM 2015 – construction work sector guidance for designers, fourth edition (C755)

The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM 2015) apply to construction work undertaken in the UK. Under these regulations designers have duties under CDM, on all projects. This guide helps any person or organisation acting as a designer to meet their obligations with respect to construction risks in an effective manner. Advice on considering ‘in-use’ risks is provided in CIRIA C756

Price: £80 (non member)/£40 (member)ISBN: 978-0-86017-756-2

How to orderVisit: www.ciria.orgTel: +44 (0) 20 7549 3300Email: enquiries@ciria.org

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FIt- out guIdAnCe to suppoRt sustAInAble pRACtICes

The new Fit-out environmental good practice on site guide (C757) provides practical, succinct guidance to support the delivery of fit-out projects applicable across a range of sectors. The guide is focused on the contractor and specifically the site manager and aims to create stronger cohesion through the supply chain to achieve good environmental practice.

Pre-release offer: £60 non members / £30 members Available until 29 January 2016

How to order Tel: +44 (0) 20 7549 3300 Email: enquiries@ciria.org Web: www.ciria.org/C744

The new Assessment and management of unexploded ordnance (UXO) risk in the marine environment (C754) is aimed any organisation involved in the planning, delivery, operation, maintenance, decommissioning or regulation of projects in marine environments as well as other water bodies such a reservoirs and large inland lakes. Price: £110 non members / £55 members (Available in February 2016)

How to orderTel: +44 (0) 20 7549 3300Email: enquiries@ciria.orgWeb: www.ciria.org/C754

The fourth edition of CIRIA’s popular Environmental good practice on site guide (C741) continues to provide industry practitioners guidance on identifying potential impacts and positively managing their effect.The new guide reflects changes in legislation, developments in practice and emergence of new issues/challenges that the industry needs to take account of. Price: £70 non members / £35 members. Bulk order discounts available.

How to orderTel: +44 (0) 20 7549 3300Email: enquiries@ciria.orgWeb: www.ciria.org/C741

Environmental good practice – improving construction

UNEXPLODED ORDNANCE IN THE MARINE ENVIRONMENT

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A number of global initiatives and agreements have marked 2015, from the agreement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) COP21 Paris Climate Change Conference, which will have been held by the time this article is published. This signals the international recognition of the need to consider growth and development more holistically, and more equally address the economy, society and environment, supported by a growing number of frameworks and policies.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are an international agreement, signed by 193 UN member states, which outline 17 overarching goals for the sustainable development of the earth, balancing economic, social and environmental priorities. A number of these goals relate directly to the built environment

and infrastructure, outlining targets for businesses to ensure worldwide access to affordable, modern energy sources, develop frameworks for sustainable production and consumption programmes, and one specific goal focusing on resilience to climate-related hazards. Whatever the outcome of the UNFCC COP21 in December 2015, we will continue to see the impact of climate change and natural hazards on the built environment, with particular impact on infrastructure systems. Climate change, one of the 21st century great challenges, cannot be viewed in isolation. As current trends indicate continuing global increases in urbanisations, population growth and changing environmental factors, understanding the associated risks, potential impacts and how we can adapt to these is paramount to provide a sustainable future.

Within these there are a number of areas that the UK construction sector, with CIRIA, is focusing. The fifth APRES Responsible Sourcing Conference Minimising risk and managing reputation through responsible sourcing held jointly with CIRIA on 24 November 2015 examined examined the need to minimise the impact that construction activities, and the supply chain, have on resources and the environment, both in the UK and across the globe. Speakers from Responsible Solutions, Willmott Dixon, Buro Happold and BRE among others, held a number of breakout sessions looking at the development of risks assessment tools, the Public Services (Social Value) Act 2012 and engineering positive influence initiatives.

Also in 2015 the CIRIA Network examined the role of green infrastructure, nature-based solutions, and ecological engineering in tackling some of the challenges of climate change, infrastructure resilience and sustainable cities. On Tuesday 3 November

industry experts came together to discuss the role of urban ecology in future cities, considering emerging ideas and concepts for increasing city resilience and the multiple benefits of adopting a proactive approach to increasing urban ecology and green space in cities. Valuing urban ecology and city resilience offered presentations and case studies from Atkins, Landscape Institute, MWH Global and Network Rail, providing insights into a number of methods to quantifying and assessing the value of green infrastructure. This was followed by a webinar on 5 November Greening grey infrastructure: innovation to implementation, led by University of Glasgow and Oxford University, explaining key concepts of ecological engineering, and current supporting policy and legislation.

Infrastructure owners and operators continue to be faced with the challenge of ensuring that vital infrastructure is resilient to the impacts of natural hazards, such as floods, droughts and heatwaves, and how this will then affect business service. Ensuring the latest science and research is translated and applied to current industry challenges and businesses will provide the UK with a huge advantage in the future.

Addressing this, the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) has launched a number of innovation programmes, to support the application of the latest science within industry. CIRIA is providing co-ordination services and support to NERC on the environmental risks to infrastructure innovation programme. This programme will be driven by the needs of the business community and decision makers. It will provide sound evidence for the identification and assessment of environmental risks and their impacts on infrastructure, translating the latest research into industry-relevant outputs.

Ruth Hynes, CIRIA Network Manager

COMMUNITY • SHARING • LEARNING • CONNECTING

ruth Hynes, CIRIA Network Manager, discusses recent CIRIA Network events examining infrastructure resilience, urban ecology and ethical sourcing

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Part of this will be a series of events that will present the latest applied science from the academic community, which can provide new insights, solutions or tools for addressing ‘environmental risks to infrastructure’ and offer an opportunity to consider and discuss how this can be applied to business decisions. On the 2 December this year, Natural hazards and climate change – tools and solutions to enable action event, showcased a number of ongoing and recently completed innovation and research projects, which explore the great deal of uncertainty surrounding how climate change will affect the frequency, severity and location of natural hazards and how this will then affect business services.

This event brought industry practitioners and academics together to discuss the latest applications of science in business situations, aiming to better understand how the infrastructure sector can use this latest science to build the resilience of assets and provide long term security for investment, management and provision of national infrastructure.

On 19 November 2015, CIRIA held a seminar Future-proofing infrastructure the face of climate change. This event brought together leading organisations from across the UK that are currently considering adaptation strategies for major infrastructure, and to consider the effects of climate change and impacts of extreme weather on current infrastructure, in planning for future infrastructure and service provision, and design of new assets or asset networks.

With speakers from Royal Haskoning DHV, British Geological Survey, HR Wallingford and Mott MacDonald, attendees were offered the opportunity to discuss a number of case studies and climate change strategies, managing investment for long-and short-term adaptation. Considering the resilience of new infrastructure with the maintenance and integration of existing assets including asset location, construction and operation, requires detailed understanding and analysis of environmental hazards and the impacts that climate change will have on these in a 50–100 year lifespan.

Despite uncertainties around recent UK environmental policies, at least 80 per cent reduction of greenhouse gas emissions on 1990s level is still required by the Climate Change Act 2008, which continues to be supported by work from the Green Construction Board and the newly reformed Construction Leadership Council. In 2016, the CIRIA Network is looking forward to a busy year focusing on a number of events and webinars, supporting the built environment and infrastructure sectors moving towards a low carbon future, and addressing both mitigation and adaptation of the impacts of climate change. Providing a platform for industry and academia to share experiences, good practice and the latest research, the CIRIA Network will continue to facilitate a range of collaborative activities that help improve the industry for innovation and improvement.

NERC Environmental risks to infrastructure innovation programme – how to get involved

Through the Environmental Risks to Infrastructure Innovation Programme, the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) is enabling collaboration between academia and infrastructure owners and operators to use the latest environmental science to identify, quantify and manage environmental risks.

Decision makers are increasingly faced with the challenge of making infrastructure resilient and mitigating the effects of extreme weather events and climate change. There is a wealth of data, knowledge and expertise in the UK that could address this challenge, but this valuable resource is often difficult to access and requires translating to be more readily used.

This programme is a five-year, £5m initiative, which is driven by the needs of the business community, is translating the latest research into industry-relevant outputs. A second funding call will be released in early 2016.

For more information or if you are interested in joining the programme, please visit www.ciria.org/nerc-infrastructure

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Since joining CIRIA early last year I have been struck by the level of commitment our members and funders have to enabling and delivering improvement throughout the construction industry. Alongside this, while every organisation has its commercial goals and aspirations, a dedication to ensuring industry has the best guidance and good-practice available, to enable not only the best outcome for clients but a top quality product, shines through.

Our members and research funders have, in 2015 alone, ensured that industry has a definitive guide to SuDs along with a benefits of SuDs tool (as featured in this edition of Evolution), new guidance for Dam and Reservoir Conduits and championed the cause of Biodiversity through the BIG Biodiversity Challenge and awards (also featured in this edition), to name but a few.

In early 2016 they will provide industry with new guidance on Embedded Retaining Walls, Fit Out Environmental Good Practice on Site and Management of Unexploded Ordnance in Off-shore Situations, as well as our first ‘App’; Working with Wildlife. These projects not only provide guidance and good-practice for the industry, but fundamentally shape the way industry develops in these areas. Ultimately, they bring a positive impact to everyday lives. After all, why do we construct anything if not to meet the needs of, or be of benefit to, society?

Leanne Lawrence Membership and Marketing Services Director

"Making a positive impact is what unites us, and in 2016 the CIRIA team will be focused on maximising the positive impact we make for our members and, ultimately, the industry as a whole."

IMpAcTIMpAcTIMpAcTIMpAcTIMpAcTIMpAcTIMpAcTIMpAcTIMpAcTcoLLABoRATING foR

"Making a positive impact is what unites us, and in 2016 the CIRIA team will be focused on maximising the positive impact we make for our members and, ultimately, the industry as a whole."

Our investment in your return Over the course of the last year, we have been listening to our members, funders and customers and identifying new and improved ways to ensure that we not only offer, but that they can return, the best value for their relationship with CIRIA.

This spring, we will be bringing these new ideas, opportunities and benefits to fruition, while continuing to work closely with our members to assist them in making sure the benefits of CIRIA membership reach widely throughout their organisations.

As well as building on our highly regarded network programme, we will be introducing some new member benefits throughout these first few months of the year, and focusing on enhancing our digital offering.

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In planning our network and corporate events for the coming year, we are already working to increase the number and quality of networking opportunities, including extending our programme into the regions and offering wider access for national firms, as well as broader sponsorship and profile raising opportunities.

We will also be introducing a range of exclusive and complimentary member events, a number of which will extend beyond the network programme and offer a more strategic outlet.

As ever, quality remains the focus for CIRIA and I’m sure this year’s programme of content-rich and thought-led events will continue to spark interest and provide valuable CPD opportunities for a wide range of industry professionals. And, to allow as many of you as possible to access those opportunities, we will be varying our formats more often, incorporating a range of webinars and videoed / live-streamed events.

The inaugural CIRIA Annual Lecture will also take place this spring. With an overarching theme of innovation, the lecture will bring together academia and industry to debate ideas and opinions on a topic seen as a ‘driver of change’. I don’t want to give too much away at this point, so please keep an eye out for full details which will be announced shortly.

Perhaps the highlight of this spring’s developments will be the launch of CIRIA’s membership brand. Following a consensus of support from our member council, the brand will enable members to demonstrate their commitment to industry improvement, not only through the use of the new logos – which I have given you all a sneak preview of here – but through a collaboratively developed set of values which is currently being tested.

As part of this work, we will be highlighting a new area of the CIRIA website dedicated to promoting our members and enabling them to showcase leading projects, specialisms, innovative approaches and latest news, as well as introducing a member blog.

In addition we are developing a new online Knowledge Hub, providing broader content and expanding the range of information formats available. We will be increasing the regularity and widening the source of our industry briefings and blogs. Event round-ups, reviews, regional blogs, event videos and webinars will be new additions to the content available to members. This will also present opportunities for our members and industry leaders to contribute to and collaborate more regularly in our knowledge sharing activities.

Listening, engaging and collaborating As we move forward into the spring and new initiatives get underway, we will not only be working more closely with members to deliver elements such as the member showcase, but be encouraging you to input more widely into how we develop products and benefits.

And for wider industry colleagues, 2016 presents a number of exciting opportunities to get involved in working collaboratively to share knowledge and support CIRIA’s work to champion performance improvement, whether through supporting research, sponsorship, or contributing to content for our events and Knowledge Hub.

As I mentioned earlier, do keep an eye out online, through Highlights and Member News and social media for news on new initiatives and opportunities to get involved and inform our future plans.

Also, please do get in touch if you’d like to talk about membership opportunities or how CIRIA can help you make the most of your organisations membership.

I look forward to working more closely with you all this year.

Leanne Lawrence Membership and Marketing Services Director, CIRIA

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Case studies highlighted included: The Barbican Centre – demonstrating a

climate change adaption project, which began as high maintenance and moved to low maintenance.

Sheffield Grey to Green – this is the UK’s largest SuDS retrofit stretching 1.3 km attracting year round interest of both native and non-native species. This represents a radical transformation from public highway to greenway.

John Lewis rain garden, Victoria Street, London. Initially this project experienced many issues with clients, but the transformation included scrubs and disconnect down spouts.

Amelia Woodley, Network Rail and Team London Bridge, then outlined their 12 point plan for green infrastructure. This plan sets out to improve links either side of the Thames and a summary of the greening London Bridge project, which was part of the Thameslink programme and runs between Bedford and Brighton. Green infrastructure interventions for the project included green roofs and green walls.

Relating to the London Bridge project, Darly Moore from Cityscapes, discussed a number of case studies including fresh air square, gibbons rent and Greenwood Theatre pocket park.

The final presentation from Monica Barker, Atkins, focused on the economic valuation of ecosystem services and the use of a value transfer approach. A case study of Camley Street Natural Park described in detail the small park covering 0.7 ha, located close to Kings Cross, /St Pancras. Using the value transfer approach, ecosystem services of the park, including recreation, health and education, were given a value accordingly and the park was later valued at £2.7m a year in cultural services.

A growing emphasis on the role that more green places and spaces can have on improving public health and well-being was highlighted by Val Kirby, who spoke of some of the key drivers for creating these in her presentation including the ageing population, increased obesity, health inequalities and the cost of treating ill health. Val gave an overview of the five key principles constituting to a healthy place, from a Landscape Institute report (2013): improve air quality and soil quality –

mitigate climate change improve health inequalities – promote

healthy lifestyles, eg Mersey Forest make people feel at ease – benefits of

public spaces post-operation opportunities for working, learning and

development places designed to be therapeutic.

Brian Horton, an environmental economist at MWH Global, spoke of the benefits of valuing SuDS and went on to introduce the recently released CIRIA Benefits of SuDS Tool (BEST) tool which can help businesses to improve decision making, meet financial targets and also support their business case for SuDS. This innovative tool provides a structured approach to evaluating a wide range of benefits based on ecosystem services (ESS) and triple bottom line (TBL) criteria.

Nigel Dunnett, University of Sheffield, gave an overview of Future nature, explaining the need to re-purpose and re-frame urban green areas and the public realm. Nigel highlighted the need for smart ecology with aesthetic quality. He boldly pointed out that perhaps the term ‘green infrastructure’ should be reconsidered as green areas should be colourful, interactive and fun.

By 2050 the global population is predicted to reach 9.2 billion with 70 per cent of the earth’s population living in cities and urban areas. This is leading to increased pressure on the earth’s resources and increased carbon emissions from built-up and urban areas. Sustaining a balanced ecology is an important part of global sustainability, climate change mitigation and adaptation and healthy environments.

By integrating natural ecosystems into the built infrastructure there are a number of benefits that can be seen not just for the environment, but for city occupants also. While it is difficult to understand the full extent of these benefits there is now a growing emphasis on giving them a monetary value.

On Tuesday 3 November industry experts came together to discuss the role of urban ecology in future cities, considering emerging ideas and concepts for increasing city resilience and the multiple benefits of adopting a proactive approach to increasing urban ecology and green space in cities.

Tom Amour, Director, Arup and Chair, opened the event which examined some of the challenges of valuing urban ecosystems and natural capital and the opportunities for improving and strengthening green infrastructure in the UK.

The first speaker of the evening, Gary Grant provided an overview of the multiple benefits associated with ecosystem services and the important role they play. With one-third of commercial buildings in London able to be retrofitted with a green roof it is time to take a social science approach and obtain employee buy-in for maintenance. Supporting his argument with a number of innovative case studies illustrating the potential for green roofs and walls in combatting urban heat island effects and urban water management, Gary declared ‘the war on nature is over’, and that the built environment should be viewed as having a symbiotic relationship with the natural environment to ensure sustainable cities.

SuStAinABility

VAluInG urBAn eColoGy ANd CIty ResIlIeNCe

Samantha Mitchell and Michael Small from CIRIA, discuss the outcomes of a recent CIRIA Network event addressing the challenges of sustainable and eco-cities, and how to promote the value of city ecosystems and urban ecology

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A panel discussion closed the seminar and focused on the importance of both empowering local people to do more within their environment and reinforcing the importance of the physical and mental well-being benefits. As cities are under increasing pressure to develop land, and provide housing and workplaces for growing populations, the competition for land is becoming increasingly tough. Without studying and identifying the value of city ecosystems and urban ecology, there is a danger of city green spaces, parks and green corridors being deprioritised for other uses.

This topic will be a key focus area for CIRIA in 2016, with a number of events and webinars on the subject planned through the CIRIA Network, and a number of related projects underway including: Working with wildlife – an application. Green infrastructure for the built

environment. Business improvement through

Ecology (BITE).

Show support for CIRIA’s sustainability projects and proposals

Business improvement through Ecology (BITE) (P2865) CIRIA will develop a website-based toolkit of practical resources for the enhancement of ecology using a range of business improvement techniques.

Large landscape trees - a communication strategy (P2896)CIRIA is keen to encourage communication with various stakeholders to explore ways to reverse the decline in large species trees in the urban environment.

Environmental good practice on site pocket book (RP1029)This updated pocketbook will cover changes in legislation and best practice since 2012. It will provide a practical tool for site personnel to deliver environmental good practice.

Minimising risk through responsible sourcing (RP1027)CIRIA together with its partners is working to develop practical guidance to assist procurement of key materials for construction projects.

To find out more and to get involved contact CIRIA on tel: +44 (0) 20 7549 3300 or email enquiries@ciria.org References

LANDSCAPE INSTITUTE (2013) Public health and landscape. Creating healthy places, position statement, Landscape Institute, London, UK. Go to: www.landscapeinstitute.co.uk/PDF/Contribute/PublicHealthandLandscape_CreatingHealthyPlaces_FINAL.pdf

HORTON, B, DIGMAN, C J, ASHLEY, R M and GILL, E (2015) BeST (Benefits of SuDS Tool) technical guidance, W045, CIRIA, London, UK (ISBN: 978-0-86017-769-2)

Disconnet down spout, John Lewis rain garden, Victoria Street, London. Photos courtesy of Nigel Dunnett, University of Sheffield

Low maintenance climate change adaptation project, Barbican Centre, London. Photos courtesy of Nigel Dunnett, University of Sheffield

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The project team’s every day experience in dealing with building contractors in delivering a varied range of SuDS projects has helped to secure this work. Sue Illman, lead author, stated:

The project began in December 2015 with completion due in 2017. The time-scale has been designed to allow for extensive consultation with industry. This will identify the critical stages of a project where good communication and handover can effectively occur, and to ensure that critical messages are delivered to the correct people both before and while on site. These messages may include: how to correctly interpret design

drawings and specifications

understanding the importance of not substituting one material over another similar material

minimal tolerances of proposed levels

good site organisation and practice

instilling the correct sequencing of SuDS installation activities as normal processes.

With the recent launch of The SuDS Manual (C753) and the Benefits of SuDS Tool (BeST) (W045), CIRIA could be forgiven for stepping back and watching the rise of sustainable drainage in emerging planning applications and developments. However, that is not the case. There is still a long way to go before SuDS becomes an accepted and mainstream way of managing water on the surface.

As a consequence of feedback from industry and the professions about the reasons behind some SuDS schemes failing to deliver fully on promised outcomes, CIRIA started a new research project to update their SuDS and construction guidance. A team has been appointed to deliver this new project, with Illman Young Landscape Design as the project’s lead author, alongside partner organisation Environmental Protection Group (EPG Ltd).

Getting critical messages across about SuDS delivery to those who are physically building SuDS remains a challenging process. The new guidance outputs will complement and expand upon the messages that are contained in The SuDS Manual, and will refer to it as the fundamental source for all things SuDS. However, it is recognised that outputs from RP1028 will need to be different, presented as engaging, ‘snappy’, short and to-the-point guidance, as well as being easy to access and use while working on site.

wAtEr

Suzanne Simmons, CIRIA Project Manager discusses a new project

exploring getting things right the first time with SuDS and construction gettINg It RIght...

suds and construction

“ Knowing how to build SuDS properly to both good visual and engineering standards, is the industry’s last big hurdle. Unless we do, it will seriously undermine its uptake.”

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These issues reflect some of the common problems identified by CIRIA, where the performance and use of SuDS as part of developments can be considerably undermined through lack of developer and site supervisory competence and/or confidence.

CIRIA is keen to use and consider the experiences and expectations of the construction industry during this project and would welcome input from those who have delivered SuDS first-hand on construction sites. If you would like to get involved in this project through submission of case studies and images or by providing financial support for a wider range of outputs, please contact Suzanne Simmons, Project Manager, CIRIA: Suzanne.Simmons@ciria.org or tel: +44 020 7549 3300

References

WOODS BALLARD, B, WILSON, S, UDALE-CLARKE, H, ILLMAN, S, SCOTT, T, ASHLEY, R, KELLAGHER, R (2015) The SuDS Manual, C753, CIRIA, London (ISBN: 978-0-86017-760-9). Go to: www.ciria.org

DIGMAN, C, HORTON, B, ASHLEY, R and GILL, E (2015) Benefits of SuDS Tool (BEST), W045, CIRIA, London, UK (ISBN: 978-0-86017-767-8). Go to: www.ciria.org Installation of coir mattresses as bioengineered bank

reinforcement. Photo courtesy of Salix Bioengineering

fIRst tIMe

Photo courtesy of JPP Consulting

wAtEr

Example of coir matting for a swale. Photo courtesy of Stormwater Management

Installation of pondliner with protection fleece. Photo courtesy of Stormwater Management

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Show support for CIRIA’s water related projects and proposals

Scoping the accreditation and / or assessment of SuDS schemes (P2802) This project will explore the opportunity and methodology for an accreditation scheme to assess schemes or practitioners to achieve excellence in SuDS delivery.

Supporting the delivery of Water Sensitive Urban Design - enabling high quality development (P2957) This project will provide guidance that supports the delivery of WSUD to effectively enable development.

Seaside piers - inspection and rehabilitation (P2942) This project will provide guidance for individuals and teams to understand enough about the potential structural problems and their solutions to appoint appropriate inspection and repair specialists

Design, modification and removal of river weirs (RP1009) This project will review and update the current Environment Agency guide on River Weirs, originally published in 2003.

Application of EC7 to design of flood embankments (RP1000) This guide will provide an interpretation and application of EC7 in the context of flood embankment design, construction and management that also support the application of the principles and guidance in the International Levee Handbook.

Demonstrating the multiple benefits of SuDS – developing a business case (RP993) This project will support and evaluate potential methodologies for assessing the costs and benefits of retrofitting SuDS.

Responding to lessons learnt from flooding (RP1031) This project aims to provide guidance on how to implement the recommendations contained in the published reports and from other lessons learned.

Update of SuDS construction guidance (RP1028) Updated guidance on SuDS construction will ensure SuDS are built as designed and provide the functionality and performance required.

To find out more and to get involved contact CIRIA on tel: +44 (0) 20 7549 3300 or email enquiries@ciria.org

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tHe uK’s most CompreHensIVe suds guIdANCe Is AvAIlAble Now

guidance on cost-effective planning, design, construction, operation and maintenance of SuDS within new and existing developments

incorporates latest research, industry practice and guidance

how to maximise amenity and biodiversity benefits

how to deliver key objectives of managing flood risk and water quality

new details on improving the design approach and overcoming challenges with specific site conditions

updated information on SuDS components.

The updated SuDS Manual covers:

Price for printed copy:£395+VAT non members£295+VAT members£250+VAT UK local authorities

How to order:

Tel: 020 7549 3300 Email: enquiries@ciria.orgWeb: www.ciria.org/C753 Download a free pdf copy from www.ciria.org

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Sea. In England and Wales they are higher, with a number of industrialised estuaries, such as the Tees, Tyne, Thames, Severn and Mersey, some chemicals show levels that are high enough to have potential toxicological effects. This also agrees with the findings of the Marine Environment Monitoring Group (MEMG, 2004) about contamination on some estuarine sediments. Concentrations are lower at coastal sites. Benthic community structure was determined more by environmental factors than contaminant concentrations. However, localised areas of contaminated sediments in industrialised estuaries were found to be toxic to test organisms (MEMG, 2004).

Not only is there evidence of contaminated sediments, but there are also examples of how these are affecting the food chain. For example, research carried out by the Scottish Government (2011) has provided examples of how heavy metals from the erosion of a coastal landfill in Lyme Regis has been found in the local mollusc population and how legacy of localised contaminated sediments remains in Clyde have lead to increased concentrations of contaminants in mussels.

Industry guidance In the past decade, numerous guidance and reports were published in the USA, Canada, Australia and Europe on different aspects of contaminated sediments management, both for the marine and non-marine environments. Almost 20 years ago, CIRIA published guidance on the disposal of dredged material in land (R175), which provided information on sampling and valid clean up standard for contaminated sediments (i.e. ICRCL). More recently in the UK, the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS), the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA), the EA and Defra have also produced a number of guidance documents on dealing with sediments. https://www.gov.uk/search?q=contaminated+sediments

Contaminated sediments have arisen from a myriad of sources including:

urban and agricultural diffuse pollutions sources

sewer outfalls and wastewater treatment

licensed and non-licensed point source discharges

spillages/leakages from industrial processes

mining activities historic offshore oil and gas drilling

activities shipwrecks and offshore dumps coastal erosion of landfills and other

contaminated sites natural sources such as volcanic

eruptions

With only 27 per cent of English waterbodies achieving the required ‘good’ status as set out in the Water Framework Directive (WFD) (Directive 2000/60/EC) by 2015 the question over how much water quality is being affected by contaminated sediments is now being asked. In addition, there is the question over whether dredging contaminated sediment could lead to a WFD failure.

Royal HaskoningDHV is working on a project (to be finished in 2016) to help the Environment Agency (EA) and the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) understand the scale of risk and impact posed by contaminated sediments in England and, assist these regulators develop sediments management policy to achieve the WFD objectives.

How big is the problem? There is still some investigation being carried out to work out how much contaminated sediments are not achieving WFD compliance, but there is certainly a wealth of evidence to support the presence of contaminated sediments in the UK. For example a report by the Scottish Government (2011) shows that metal concentrations in sediments are generally lower in Scotland and the western Irish

Historical contaminated sediments maybe present in water courses. What is the economic or societal risk when it is difficult to attribute liability and apply the polluter pays principle to a mobile substance? In some instances sediments may have arisen from natural sources up-catchment or have been introduced through an industrial discharge licensed by the regulators. Despite this apathy, contaminated sediments can affect water quality, ecology and ultimately human health via the food chain. However, if such historical contamination is overlain by relatively clean sediment and in effect capped, the problem arises of the potential to disturb this sediment.

In the last few years there has continued to be increasing infrastructure development, demand for aggregate, more capital dredging to accommodate large draft container shipping and climate change, all of which have increased the potential for contaminated sediments to affect the environment. While anthropogenic activity may well be able to avoid areas of contaminated sediments the effects of climate change make no such accommodations. Climate change is leading to unpredictable extreme weather events that can cause erosion, flooding and potential changes in salinity, pH and temperature. All of these effects have the potential to remobilise historic contamination.

Sediments play multiple roles in the environment – being valued as a habitat and a resource, but posing a problem as a physical or chemical pollutant. Often national economic needs are at odds with the measures required for sustainable sediment management.

Contaminated sediments the way forwardJoanne Kwan, CIRIA Project Manager, and Claire Dickinson, Independent Consultant, discuss why we can no longer hide away

infrAStruCturE

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However, it is often difficult to locate the right guidance to assess and remediate contaminated sediments risk.

How can CIRIA help In 2015, CIRIA's scoping study identified a need for:

guidance and projects that are relevant to practitioners, eg consultants, contractors and dredging companies managing UK projects

how the existing guidance and report address sampling and analysis of sediments

areas where further work is needed.

Over 170 published reports, papers and projects were reviewed.

Recommendations Information and guidance on how

to carry out risk assessment and remediation seems to be scattered across a large number of reports and sources. A portal that signposts (with summaries and how to access) all the relevant guidance and work relevant to UK sediment projects may be useful.

More opportunities for stakeholders to discuss their issues.

Further cross reference to different reports and projects.

Links with recent developments and findings from scientific papers to real cases.

See the table to the right for detailed guidance to be included.

Contaminated sediments the way forward

References

Directive 2000/60/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2000 establishing a framework for Community action in the field of water policy (Water Framework Directive)

MEMG (2004) UK national marine monitoring programme - second report (1999-2001), Marine Environment Monitoring Group, The Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Suffolk, UK. Go to: http://jncc.defra.gov.uk/pdf/nmmp2ndreport.pdf

SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT (2011) Clean and safe seas, Section 2: Overall assessment, The Scottish Government, Edinburgh. Go to: www.gov.scot/Resource/Doc/295194/0114545.pdf

WHITE, M, JOHNSON, H, ANDERSON, G and MISSTEAR, B (1997) Control of infiltration to sewers, R175, CIRIA, London, UK (ISBN: 978-0-86017-474-5). Go to: www.ciria.org

Topics covered Target audience

How to carry out risk assessment and management for contaminated sediments

Consultant and contractors

Sampling and analysis particularly for non-marine sediments

Consultant and contractors

Case studies and examples Consultant and contractors

How recent research on issues such as sediment dynamics etc link to the risk assessment process

Consultant and contractors

Visual tools, eg videos showing how things are done

Clients, consultants, contractors and regulators

Photos on pages 22-23 courtesy of the Environment Agency

CIRIA is exploring ways to develop more detailed, but succinct practical ‘how to’ guidance, which will be useful when dealing with marine and non-marine sediments. The output of this new study will cross reference to existing guidance and include case studies to demonstrate good practice.

To find out more visit www.ciria.org or contact Joanne Kwan joanne.kwan@ciria.org

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References

GILBERTSON, A, KAPPIA, J, BOSHER, L and GIBB, A (2011a) Preventing catastrophic events in construction, Health and Safety Executive, London, UK. Go to: http://www.hse.gov.uk/research/rrpdf/rr834.pdf

GILBERTSON, A, KAPPIA, J, BOSHER, L and GIBB, A (2011b) Guidance on catastrophic events in construction, C699, CIRIA, London, UK (ISBN: 978-0-86017-699-2). Go to: www.ciria.org

SKINNER, H, WATSON, T, DUNKLEY, B and BLACKMORE, P (2006) Tower crane stability, C654, CIRIA, London, UK (IBN: 978-0-86017-654-1). Go to: www.ciria.org

Get involved To find out more email alan.gilbertson@ciria.org

Introduction In 2006, CIRIA published C654 Stability of tower cranes, which is widely referred to by both temporary works and permanent works designers. It was prepared in response to problems experienced on projects at this crucial interface between equipment and foundations and contains a wealth of information. Although no problems have been reported with the guidance, CIRIA is updating the guidance for a number of reasons set out below.

Reasons for updating the guide The withdrawal of BSI support (in 2010)

for the design codes used in 2006. These former design codes are now replaced by Eurocodes, which are the current design codes.

A perceived industry need to examine in more detail the roles and responsibilities of the various parties involved in designing and constructing and in managing the various interfaces.

Changes within the guidance provided by the tower crane industry’s European representative body, the FEM (Federation Europeene de la Manutention).

Background Stability of tower cranes has featured in many news reports over the years. Collapse of a tower crane clearly has the potential for disastrous consequences and featured in report to the HSE (RR834, Gilbertson et al, 2011a and 2011b).

What to expect from the new guide The updated publication follows new industry guidance and is supported by a project steering group (PSG) representing all aspects of the industry. It is due to be published in 2016.

Issues that have arisen during the update of the guide have included: The need to explain clearly the steps the

various parties need to take to respond to the risk issues inherent in designing bases and ties for tower cranes, in order to work as a team and overcome the interface issues involved.

The difficulty of applying Eurocodes to the design examples. The difficulties arise both from lack of familiarity of the industry including the PSG with the Eurocodes, and the fact that they are new and being progressively reviewed and improved. There are also difficulties in applying Eurocode terminology to tower cranes. For example, is the crane self-weight, a permanent load or a temporary one?

Detailed requirements for the selection, installation, use and maintenance of tower cranes now being available in the BS 7121 series and on the Construction Products Association website, consequently this information is being removed from the new guide.

stAbIlIty of tower CrAnes

Alan Gilbertson, CIRIA consultant, discusses the forthcoming update of CIRIA guide Tower crane stability (C654)

infrAStruCturE

25

Photo supplied courtesy of Mace

Picture caption to go here

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The second phase also recognised that currently the greatest successes in construction arise from the congruence of different initiatives and tools. So the following guides were also prepared: How are the Lean and BIM agendas

linked? (C725) How are the Lean and sustainability

agendas linked? (C726)The six guides are free to download from: www.ciria.org/lean

Continuing the Lean journey CIRIA plans to develop further guides to add to this series of publications. To inform this work, CIRIA is seeking feedback from organisations and individuals who: have established Lean in their projects

and organisations are considering, or are at the early stages

of their Lean journey.CIRIA would like to hear about the challenges and questions you have faced (or are facing). This will inform the next phase of CIRIA’s Lean programme.

The questionnaire will take about 10 minutes to complete, and can be found at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CIRIA-LEAN

A preview of the responses to some of the questions to date are set out in Figure 1 on the opposite page.

Getting Lean CIRIA has been keen to raise awareness of Lean, disseminate success stories and produce guidance on the topic. This is central to its twin aims of performance improvement and knowledge transfer.

CIRIA’s Build Lean was a ‘novel’ approach to describing how an organisation might trial, demonstrate and roll out Lean activities. The narrative in the book describes how the lead character, Steve, uses Lean to transform his organisation into a successful customer-facing business.

“I do feel that we have not exploited the value of the Build Lean book as having read it a number of times the content is excellent.”Derek Drysdale, Divisional Director, Lean improvement, Highways Agency

The guide drew experience from consultants, contractors, clients and academics – all of whom could relate to the challenges faced by Steve and, more importantly had knowledge of how they could be overcome. On completion of the guide, however, the group felt that there were many points in the story where Steve could have benefitted from some more detailed guidance, so the next phase of the project led to the production of a suite of more ‘conventional’ guides addressing the questions set out here: Which are the principal Lean tools in a

construction context? (C727) What can clients do to promote, enable

and benefit from Lean? (C728) What is the best way to go about

appointing and working with a Lean consultant to increase organisational capacity? (C729)

How can the benefits of applying Lean be measured and demonstrated across an organisation? (C730)

The recent budget, comprehensive spending review and the challenge to government departments to further significantly reduce spending are leading to another wave of scrutiny in terms of the need and effectiveness of services and activities. Construction and maintenance activities are clearly an element in this.

At the recent Lean Construction Institute summit, one of the speakers challenged the Lean community to be more upfront on the financial benefits of Lean. Definitions inevitably infer improvements in productivity, performance and value, but to catch the current government’s eye, he suggested it needed a £ sign.

‘Lean’ is a term that is familiar to many in the industry, albeit often rooted in manufacturing. However, Lean is about applying a rigorous and mindful approach to work planning, logistics, collaboration, information sharing and empowerment. Most construction organisations, whether they think so or not, are employing some form of Lean approach by simply applying common sense and good communication. Lean is not just about cutting costs, but about systematically pursuing client value and attacking waste (in its many forms) at source.

Also, while people might look to Lean to achieving efficiencies in difficult times, it is not just a tool for bad times. It is a continuous improvement tool. Forward-thinking organisations committed to continuous improvement have been applying Lean for many years.

tEChnology

lean: saving you time and money and helping you win business

Owen Jenkins, Director, CIRIA, discusses Lean, a ‘novel’ approach to attacking waste at source and transform an organisation into a successful customer-facing business

References

HM GOVERNMENT (2013) Construction 2025. Industrial Strategy: government and industry in partnership, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, London, UK. Go to: http://tinyurl.com/nhyttkp

TERRY, A and SMITH,S (2011) Build Lean. Transforming construction using Lean Thinking, C696, CIRIA, London, UK (ISBN: 978-0-86017-696-1). Go to: www.ciria.org/lean

Websites Implementing Lean: www.ciria.org/lean

27

27

Figure 1

9%

50%

24%

18%

In the past 2-3 years, how much of your work / projects have exposed you to Lean?

Not at all

Very few

Up to 50%

Up to 100%

9%

50%

24%

18%

In the past 2-3 years, how much of your work / projects have exposed you to Lean?

Not at all

Very few

Up to 50%

Up to 100%

9%

50%

24%

18%

In the past 2-3 years, how much of your work / projects have exposed you to Lean?

Not at all

Very few

Up to 50%

Up to 100%

32%

11%

20%

7%

9%

20%

Where did your initial exposure or interest in Lean derive from?

Project

(Part of) taught course

Conference / presentation / video

Magazine Article / Conversation

Book

Other

32%

11%

20%

7%

9%

20%

Where did your initial exposure or interest in Lean derive from?

Project

(Part of) taught course

Conference / presentation / video

Magazine Article / Conversation

Book

Other

13%

70%

0%8%

10%

In what sectors have you applied Lean approaches?

None

Construction

Manufacturing -automotiveManufacturing - other

Other

13%

70%

0%8%

10%

In what sectors have you applied Lean approaches?

None

Construction

Manufacturing -automotiveManufacturing - other

Other

6%

13%

20%

17%9%

9%

16%

9%

2%

Which of the following groups of tools/approaches have you applied?

Vision / Objectives / Strategy (e.g. HoshinKanri)Lean collaborative planning

Value adding / waste identification

Structured problem solving (e.g. fishbone,A3, 5-whys, Plan-do-check-act)Workplace organisation (e.g. 5S)

Visual management

Process improvement

Operations improvement

Other tools

6%

13%

20%

17%9%

9%

16%

9%

2%

Which of the following groups of tools/approaches have you applied?

Vision / Objectives / Strategy (e.g. HoshinKanri)Lean collaborative planning

Value adding / waste identification

Structured problem solving (e.g. fishbone,A3, 5-whys, Plan-do-check-act)Workplace organisation (e.g. 5S)

Visual management

Process improvement

Operations improvement

Other tools

9%

9%

43%

26%

14%

Which of the following describes your belief in terms of demonstrating the benefits of applying Lean?

Not heard about benefits / casestudies

Heard about benefits / casestudies, but not convinced

Heard about benefits / casestudies and fairly convinced

First hand (unquantified)experience of benefits

First hand, quantified informationdemostrating benefits

9%

9%

43%

26%

14%

Which of the following describes your belief in terms of demonstrating the benefits of applying Lean?

Not heard about benefits / casestudies

Heard about benefits / casestudies, but not convinced

Heard about benefits / casestudies and fairly convinced

First hand (unquantified)experience of benefits

First hand, quantified informationdemostrating benefits

9%

9%

43%

26%

14%

Which of the following describes your belief in terms of demonstrating the benefits of applying Lean?

Not heard about benefits / casestudies

Heard about benefits / casestudies, but not convinced

Heard about benefits / casestudies and fairly convinced

First hand (unquantified)experience of benefits

First hand, quantified informationdemostrating benefits

What information or evidence would you require before considering applying Lean techniques, or to help you to encourage others to do so?

The five most needed pieces of information or evidence are:

1. Building Lean building experience and capacity in Supply Chains

2. Case studies demonstrating the application and benefits of Lean at different stages of a project / programme

3. Understanding how Lean fits in with other industry initiatives (e.g. BIM or Sustainability)

4. A basic understanding of Lean tools and when to apply them

5. Lean in the design process

28

CIRIA has delivered a range of informative and engaging training courses since 2005. Topics covered include sustainable urban drainage systems, SuDS planning facilitation for local authorities, environmental good practice on site, culvert design and operation, and much more.

Training is delivered by industry experts either as open courses or in-house at client offices where courses can be customised to suit specific needs. Course content includes up-to-date experience with practical examples and group work to deliver first class learning outcomes.

Benefits of training with CIRIA CIRIA is a not-for-profit, independent

and authoritative organisation. True to our mission, CIRIA training aims

to help improve performance in the modern built environment.

Course content is developed from CIRIA’s good practice guidance, and reviewed and updated regularly.

Training is delivered by industry experts.

Courses available Environmental good practice on site –

IEMA approved and UKCG recognised as SEATS equivalent course for site supervisors.

SuDS foundation Designing SuDS Developing SuDS: Securing SuDS

through planning for local authorities Culvert design and operation Control of water pollution from

construction sites Working with wildlife BIM strategy for clients and consultants Lean in construction Sustainable procurement for

construction

In-house training All CIRIA training courses can be delivered in-house at your offices. Courses are based on tried and tested approaches or can be adapted to suit your training needs. Training courses are engaging, interactive and informative, and using practical examples create the ideal learning environment with practical examples to create the ideal learning environment.

Online training This CIRIA course was recently updated and now fully reflects changes in technology and policy reiterating why contaminated land is still important and relevant. The course is aimed at anyone who wants a foundation level understanding of brownfield and contaminated land legislation, liabilities and technical details. The online format provides a flexible approach to learning, allowing you to learn at your own pace and at a time that suits you. In addition, the course allows for 35 hours of CPD.

New courses under development During summer 2015 we undertook market research activities and the findings suggested a greater appetite for SuDS related training as well environmental good practice on site webinar based learning. Further details of new courses to be offered will be announced during 2016.

CiriA trAining HelpIng you get AHeAd

29

Environmental good practice on site28 January, London8 March, Manchester

SuDS Foundation23 February, Manchester12 April, London

Designing SuDS26-27 January, London23-24 March, Manchester

Culvert design and operation 15-16 March, Leeds

Forthcoming courses in 2016

How to book:

Visit: www.ciria.orgTel: +44 (0) 20 7549 3300Email: enquiries@ciria.org

CiriA trAining CAlendARWhat delegates say

about CIRIA training

SuDS training “Gives a very good overview of the principles and shows more ‘non-engineered' solutions, which is important” NPS Humber Ltd

“It was a fantastic opportunity to not only learn best practise, but also to see that no design is perfect and it always offers a learning opportunity. It was good to meet with other LLFAs and consultants, to understand their thought processes” Buckinghamshire County Council

“This was the best training course I have attended in many years, the level was pitched absolutely right for me and provided all the information I hoped to gain. I have no significant concerns or comments to make regarding areas for improvement. Very good indeed” Stansted Airport

SuDS planning facilitation for LAs “Very interesting topic. Crucial that more people are aware of SUDS interventions” LB of Lambeth

“Drainage is not everyone’s idea of an interesting subject, but Bob’s clear enthusiasm for and detailed knowledge of the subject made the training much more animated and interesting” LB of Bexley

Environmental good practice on site “Nicola Fagan presented this course superbly. She was engaging, clearly very knowledgeable and facilitated delegate discussion extremely well” Geo-Environmental Services Limited

“Great course, highly recommended, very enthusiastic and knowledgeable trainer, lots of practical exercises” BAE Systems

“In all a very good and a real eye opener as to the possible effect we could have on the environment” AMCO

Culvert design and operation “I have found this course very comprehensive, it was technical, but the trainers made it enjoyable” Bracknell Forest Borough Council

“A very useful course, well delivered with very well informed presenters” Environment Agency

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© CIRIAEvolution is published by

CIRIAGriffin Court15 Long LaneLondon, EC1A 9PNTel: +44 (0) 20 7549 3300Fax:+44 (0) 20 7549 3349

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