Today’s technology allows building to take place in increasingly varied terrain where factors such as collapsible or soluble soils and contaminated ground can influence the stability and viability of a project.  Buro Happold’s geotechnical engineers are involved at an early stage of the design process to evaluate the subsoil and identify solutions for deep and shallow foundations.

With unforeseen ground conditions directly related to escalating costs, it is vital that a thorough investigation of a site takes place at an early stage in the design process. We have expertise in advanced ground investigation techniques as well as a complete range of geotechnical design options for foundation construction, basements, retaining walls, ground treatments and building materials.

At the feasibility stage we use state-of-the-art geotechnical techniques to identify contamination such as ground gases, hydrocarbons and heavy metals as part of our integrated ground engineering approach. Aided by advanced finite element analysis we can also predict ground movement, a factor which has a significant influence on the overall design solution.

Working within the overall multi-disciplinary environment of Buro Happold, our specialist engineers provide a quality service across a diverse range of sectors including low and high-rise buildings, brownfield regeneration sites, waterside developments, transport buildings, bridges and highways. The group operates throughout the UK as well as in Europe, the Middle East and the USA.

Our geotechnical team recognises that every project is unique and comes with its own economic priorities and timescales – often matched by a wide variety of ground conditions. As part of our commitment to push the boundaries of geotechnical engineering still further, Buro Happold has been active in developing academic links as well as investing in its own R&D programme.