Construction Industry Research And Information Association Research Articles

Including uncertainty in valuing blue and green infrastructure for stormwater management

Blue and green infrastructure (BGI) provides a wide range of ecosystem services (ES) and other benefits when managing stormwater, beyond flow and pollution control. A number of tools have been developed to value these benefits. In the UK, stormwater measures that utilise BGI are known as Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS). This paper outlines the Benefits of SuDS Tool (B£ST), developed in the UK by the Construction Industry Research and Information Association (CIRIA) for valuing the benefits of BGI stormwater measures. The tool has been applied to case studies across Europe. B£ST includes a set of benefits based on ecosystem services applied to the use of BGI for stormwater management. The paper focuses on the uncertainties in this multiple benefit assessment, detailing the processes used in the tool. Examples illustrate the scale of the uncertainties in tools like B£ST. The uncertainties when using BGI valuation tools such as B£ST to help inform the delivery of stormwater measures are demonstrated in the paper as potentially of sufficient magnitude to warrant explicit consideration by professionals and decision makers.

Logging the Chalk by Rory N. Mortimore. Whittles Publishing, Caithness, Scotland, 2014. No. of pages: x + 357. Price: UK£135.00. ISBN 978‐184995‐098‐5 (hardback)

When this hefty book fell on my doormat, my first thought was that it could not have been written by a better man. Rory Mortimore succeeds in presenting a splendid overview of decades of his research into the Chalk (mid- and Late Cretaceous), with the focus on the British Chalk (mostly onshore, but also offshore). However, there are comparisons with Upper Cretaceous strata across mainland Europe (mostly France, plus northern Germany and the Maastricht area in the Netherlands). During 30 years, Mortimore has described and interpreted over 3000 chalk cores and visited hundreds of temporary outcrops – ample experience, I would say! This is a comprehensive guide to the Chalk, describing this rock type in detail for the benefit of geologists, (geotechnical) engineers and, also, collectors of fossils. Chalk in the field is of prime importance – things can be seen out there and information gained will help in interpreting cores (best done in bright light, preferably sunlight!). Core loss (around flint levels), nodular chalks and fractures are all discussed. In fact, because of the sheer wealth of detail, some chapters may become very dense and difficult to read. Recent data, obtained in close co-operation with engineers, hydrogeologists and reservoir geologists, have resulted in a much better picture of Chalk. Throughout the book the standard lithostratigraphy (it took over 25 years to reach consensus over this) is used and, where appropriate, CIRIA (Construction Industry Research and Information Association) classification is supplied as well. There are seven chapters and two appendices (three more can be downloaded from the publisher's website). The first describes, classifies and interprets the Chalk, mainly for engineering purposes. Special attention is paid to sheet flints (often missed in cores) and trace fossils, in particular Zoophycos, as well as other features essential in core interpretation. Several examples of macrofossils (cephalopods, inoceramid bivalves, echinoderms) that can aid in logging are provided. Numerous full-colour pictures, with clear labelling (sedimentary features, lithostratigraphic interpretations) are supplied in all chapters. All logs are neat, with colour coding to assist in correlative schemes. Chapters 2–4 discuss the stratigraphic framework for the southern, transitional and northern Chalk ‘provinces’, respectively. In Chapter 5 we get our feet wet, entering the Central Graben and North Sea chalks. Correlative schemes with German, Danish and Dutch chalk sections are included. Chapter 6 focuses on weathering styles in cores and in the field (CIRIA grades; see also Appendix 1), with examples of groundwater staining, karst phenomena, dissolution pipes and relic pipes. The final chapter looks to the future, discussing the impact of optical and acoustic televiewers, and gamma and resistivity logs on Chalk studies – it concludes with several recommendations. Appendix 2 will be very useful in describing flints during logging. Strangely enough there is no reference here to work carried out by the late Felder brothers between 1970 and 2005 near Maastricht, nor to Hans Zijlstra's studies of the Upper Cretaceous–lowermost Paleocene of mainland Europe. Editorial control appears to have been tight, but some taxon names are spelt wrongly, both in the text and in figures; other misspellings refer to non-English names. In summary, this book deserves a wide readership. In fact, every Chalk worker should have a copy. I would certainly have benefitted from it when interpreting the >25 cores of the A2 motorway tunnel at Maastricht several years ago.

Testing Greenfield run‐off estimation techniques using high‐resolution field observations

AbstractThe current UK guidelines for sustainable drainage systems design [Department of the Environment Food and Rural Affairs/Environment Agency (DEFRA/EA), 2005; Construction Industry Research and Information Association (CIRIA), 2007] require that the design peak flow from a new development should not exceed that which would occur under the pre‐development or Greenfield conditions. Although these guidelines are fairly recent documents, the standard methodology for estimating Greenfield flows dates back to the results of studies from the 1970s. The recommendation of the guideline method was not the result of any testing and calibration but rather the assumption that it produced Greenfield flow estimates that were in the order of what would be expected. Experience of Greenfield peak flow estimates using the approved method has shown flows to be very low compared with what would be expected where a detailed knowledge of the site hydrology was available or from observational evidence of flooding events. Recent monitoring of surface run‐off and drainage using a 1‐min temporal resolution at the Rowden Moor Drainage Experiment at North Wyke Research, Devon, UK has provided an ideal dataset through which to test the current approved methodology for Greenfield flow estimation. The results show that the methods significantly underestimate the Greenfield peak flows.

Concrete pressure on formwork: influence of cement combinations and superplasticising admixtures

This paper describes a study carried out to examine the effect of cement combinations and new superplasticising admixtures in concrete on lateral pressure development in column and wall formwork. The additions, used in structural grade concretes, included ground granulated blastfurnace slag (ggbs), fly ash (FA), silica fume (SF) and metakaolin (MK). Two superplasticising admixtures were also tested to examine water reduction/variable workability effects on concrete pressure. In addition to the constituent materials, the influence of rate of rise of concrete in formwork was also investigated. The tests involved instrumenting column and wall formwork with concrete and pore water pressure measuring devices (over their height) and recording pressure development, and the head of concrete rising vertically in the element during construction. Tests were mainly carried out under controlled conditions (20 elements of 3·0 and 8·0 m height) and supplemented with measurements at construction sites where the materials of interest were being used (12 elements). The results indicate that concretes containing ggbs and FA gave slightly higher concrete pressures than that of Portland cement (PC), while the reverse was found for SF and MK concretes. The effect of superplasticiser on concrete pressure was influenced by how the admixture was used. For reduced water content/equal workability (slump) concrete, slightly lower pressures on formwork were generally obtained compared with PC, while the reverse was noted when they were used in reduced water content/high workability concrete. Similar influences on concrete pressure were found for these at slow and fast rates of rise. In general, the trends observed in the control and site test data gave agreement. The practical implications of the work were examined with respect to the guidance given in Construction Industry Research and Information Association (CIRIA) Report 108 used for evaluating concrete pressure on formwork. It is suggested that the new materials can fit within the framework of this method with minor revisions.

Contributions to Géotechnique 1948–2008: Retaining structures

Retaining structures and earth support systems form an important part of geotechnical engineering. In the first 60 years of Géotechnique, some 110 publications have appeared that related to such structures. These are discussed in this review under five headings: case histories and full-scale observations; ground movements associated with retaining structures; numerical analyses; compaction stresses acting on structures; and Symposia in Print. Individual comments are made on approximately half of the papers published, highlighting key contributions to the advancement of the understanding of retaining structures. Many of the papers have provided important information subsequently incorporated into standard reference documents for geotechnical engineers, notably three reports published by the Construction Industry Research and Information Association (CIRIA): Temporary propping of deep excavations: Guidance on design; The observational method in ground engineering: Principles and applications; and Embedded retaining walls: Guidance for economic design. In this way, and through the contributions of individual papers to other aspects of performance, Géotechnique has made a valuable contribution to the improved analysis, engineering design, construction and monitoring of retaining structures.

Constructed wetlands in UK urban surface drainage systems

This paper presents the outcome of an inventory of planted wetland systems in the UK which are classified according to land use type and are all examples of sustainable drainage systems. The introduction of constructed wetlands to treat surface runoff essentially followed a 1997 Environment Agency for England and Wales report advocating the use of "soft engineered" facilities including wetlands in the context of sustainable development and Agenda 21. Subsequently published reports by the UK Construction Industry Research and Information Association (CIRIA) have promoted the potential benefits to both developer and the community of adopting constructed wetlands and other vegetated systems as a sustainable drainage approach. In addition, the UK Environment Agency and Highways Agency (HA) have recently published their own design criteria and requirements for vegetative control and treatment of road runoff. A case study of the design and performance of a constructed wetland system for the treatment of road runoff is discussed. The performance of these systems will be assessed in terms of their design criteria, runoff loadings as well as vegetation and structure maintenance procedures. The differing design approaches in guidance documents published in the UK by the Environment Agency, CIRIA and HA will also be evaluated.

Standardization and pre-assembly- distinguishing myth from reality using case study research

Standardization and pre-assembly (S&P) are not new, but their application and their drivers, pragmatism and perception, need to be considered in the light of current technology and management practice. There are lessons to be learned from a historical review, but there are also numerous myths that must be dispelled: houses are not cars; maximum standardization is not always the answer; and, S&P do not have to cost more. Steven Groák worked with the author on the research project ‘Adding value to construction projects through standardisation and pre-assembly’ funded by CIRIA (Construction Industry Research and Information Association). The CIRIA project, which forms the basis of this paper, aimed to produce a review of the subject and guidance for clients and project teams through a comprehensive literature review, expert work5 shops and case study research. The paper defines S&P, discusses past, present and future applications (providing case study evidence) and presents the key benefits and implications of the optimized use of standardization and pre-assembly.

Predicting natural cavities in chalk

Introduction Chalk is a soluble carbonate rock with extensive karst development. Natural cavity occurrence initially appears to be random. In an area where the degree of influence of all cavity formational factors is similar, but dissolution is focused on one set of joints rather than another, then solution feature occurrence is perhaps random. This might be termed the ‘microscale’ view, measured at a scale of metres. However, if the pattern of natural cavity occurrence is considered at a ‘macroscale’ level, say measured in hundreds of metres or kilometres, then spatial patterns emerge suggesting dissolution is not as random as it might first appear. Spatial characteristics of natural cavity occurrence on the Chalk In order to analyse the spatial characteristics of natural cavity occurrence it was first necessary to collect as many records of solution feature occurrence as possible from published and unpublished sources including local authorities, Construction Industry Research and Information Association (CIRIA), Transport Research Laboratory (TRL), Building Research Establishment (BRE), National House Building Council (NHBC), the Environment Agency, water companies, and site investigation reports. Particular emphasis was placed on fieldwork to record new features revealed in a wide range of engineering works, road and motorway construction, and on visits to large numbers of working/disused chalk quarries and aggregate workings. A database of 2226 natural cavities was compiled, composed mainly of solution pipes, sinkholes (dolines) and swallow holes. The spatially related database (each cavity location being recorded by National Grid Reference) was carefully scrutinized to determine

SEDIMENT TRANSPORT IN SEWERS - A STEP TOWARDS THE DESIGN OF SEWERS TO CONTROL SEDIMENT PROBLEMS.

Keywords HERIOT WATT UNIVERSITY, ABERTAY UNIVERSITY, SHEFFIELD UNIVERSITY, NEWCASTLE UNIVERSITY, CONSTRUCTION IND SEDIMENTS, TRANSPORT, SEWERS, DESIGN, SEWERAGE, MINIMISATION, REDUCTION, SEDIMENTATION, PROCEDURE, METHODS, STANDARDISATION, CALIBRATION, RESISTANCE, LABORATORIES, DRAINAGE, IRRIGATION, HYDRAULICS, HYDRODYNAMICS, DRAINS, OVERLOADING, SOLIDS, DEPOSITS, COMBINED, OVERFLOWS, STANDARDS, BRITISH, SUSPENDED, BEDS, LOADS, CAPACITY, ENTRAINMENT, CONDUITS, BOUNDARIES, SHEAR, STRESS... Show All

Statistical approaches for the reliability of structural designs

The Construction Industry Research and Information Association (CIRIA) has produced some guidelines for the assessment of the reliability of components and/or structures. The methods of analysis suggested by these guidelines are far from adequate and, in certain cases, contain some imperfections. In this paper, some of the weaknesses of the guidelines are identified. The shortcomings are mainly in the ease of calculations and the feasibility of the assumptions which are imposed. Three alternative methods aimed at tackling some of the weaknesses are introduced. A simulation study is used to compare these methods.

Supervision of Sewers for Adoption

The Water Authorities Association guide ‘Sewers for Adoption’ has achieved considerable success in unifying practice and establishing well‐understood and recognized standards for the design and construction of sewers by developers under Section 18 of the Public Health Act 1936. However, the supervision provided by the adopting authorities — particularly in relation to supervision fees — has been an area of dispute for some time.The Construction Industry Research and Information Association (CIRIA) has recently completed a study on the optimum levels of supervision for sewer construction. The study included a national survey on the nature and extent of problems occurring during the course of Section 18 work and the supervision practices presently being undertaken. The study puts forward recommendations on the nature and timing of periodic inspections undertaken during construction. Several specific problem areas are discussed, ranging from measures required to ensure that design submissions are of an adequate standard, to the timing of any pre‐adoption closed‐circuit television inspection. This paper draws upon the contents of the report and discusses some of the principal findings and recommendations of the study.

Health Effects of Working in Compressed Air

ABSTRACTFor more than 50 years, civil engineers, scientists and the medical profession have collaborated to reduce the occupational health risks of working in compressed air. Under the auspices of the Medical Research Council, the Health and Safety Executive and, through the Construction Industry Research and Information Association (CIRIA) of the civil‐engineering industry, the data of the Decompression Sickness Central Registry of exposure and medical records are being analysed in order to identify healthier working practices and disciplines.

Rising groundwater levels beneath London

Introduction In recent years it has been observed that the groundwater level in the deep aquifer beneath central London is rising. It is becoming clear that this could have serious engineering implications for a significant number of structures. Sponsored by the Department of the Environment (DoE) and other interested parties, the Construction Industry Research and Information Association (CIRIA) has commissioned a study into the nature and extent of these potential consequences and the steps which may be necessary to avoid them. This paper is based on work carried out under contract for CIRIA as a part of this study.

Ciria instrumented drilling trials — background and progress : Brown, E T Ground Engng, V12, N1, Jan 1979, P45–52

The Construction Industry Research and Information Association (CIRIA) is currently conducting a series of instrumented ground investigation drilling trials at Rogerley Quarry, Frosterley, Co. Durham. These trials, which form part of CIRIA's underground construction research programme, aim to investigate the practicability and utility of using drill rig instrumentation to record drilling variables during tunnelling site investigations. The trials are to develop techniques that can improve the quality and quantity of data made available in pre-tender tunnelling site investigations. This paper summarises the background, organisation and development of the project, and presents and assesses some of the preliminary results obtained.

THE CIRIA OPTIMIZATION STUDY OF SEWAGE TREATMENT

Abstract This paper describes a feasibility study carried out under contract to the Construction Industry Research and Information Association (CIRIA) by the Local Government Operational Research Unit (LGORU) between June 1971 and December 1972. The aim of the feasibility study was to examine whether a mathematical model could be built that would enable the optimal (i.e. most cost-effective) design of a sewage treatment works to be found for a prescribed standard of effluent. The paper outlines the underlying principles of a simple prototype model that was constructed during the study. The paper is a condensed version of the full report on the study issued by CIRIA.