Geotechnics is firmly established at Arup, underpinning nearly all the firm's projects in the built and natural environments. Specialists in the geotechnical groups are skilled in the necessary art and science of designing structures in the ground, including the use of soil as a construction material, and have provided independent advice and expertise to clients for over 50 years.
Core and specialist skills range from environmental geotechnics and landfill engineering to GIS and earth observation, encompassing geology, groundwater and hydrogeology and foundation engineering. The experience and unparalleled industry knowledge of Arup's geotechnical specialists provide value for clients during planning, construction and beyond. The skill base is broad and Arup's experience includes major transport infrastructure, large energy and water projects, such as the Middle Marsyangdi Dam in Nepal, and other complex buildings in any type of geological or terrain conditions across the world.
Arup's geotechnical expertise is often used for large multidisciplinary designs. It is also frequently sought by clients as a service in its own right because of the money it can save later in a project's development. The firm's ability to identify and mitigate ground risks for projects where the consequences of problems in the ground are high has come to the fore in such projects as the investigation into Slope Stability in Hong Kong. Arup's geotechnical skills are also sought by clients, contractors and insurers to provide expert advice when things do not go according to plan.
A sustainable future
Arup's geotechnical vision is to create a truly sustainable geo-consultancy, employing and developing the best individuals across the world. The firm offers a balanced portfolio of skills in ground engineering and the earth sciences to clients through all project phases, from inception, through design and construction, to management and operation.
Geotechnical engineers and earth scientists have a significant part to play in preserving the world's natural resources. Working with colleagues across the skills and experience of the firm, Arup's geotechnical staff have a positive impact on the world's environment. Whether designing heating systems that use ground energy, reusing existing foundations or calculating the most energy-efficient materials to use, Arup Geotechnics is committed to the continued development of new technologies to meet the goal of a sustainable environment.
Underground / Overground
Geotechnics is not just about what happens under the earth's soil, but also the impact it has above ground. Arup's involvement in the feasibility studies, design and construction supervision of the Ashford cut and cover tunnels and retained cut structure enabled the High Speed 1 to pass underground and through the centre of Ashford in southeast England. Arup also provides innovative solutions to problems such as the dynamic analysis of foundations to support the High Speed 1 project.
The firm’s seismic and numerical skills teams provided complex analysis of the site for the Citibank Plaza in Hong Kong to support the safe construction of two linked office towers of 47 and 37 storeys over an area of 8500m².