Jim Cook, chairman of the Association of Geotechnical and GeoEnviromental Specialists, takes B&E through the highs and lows of 2006.

Recruitment
There is a lot going on in the industry in terms of ground engineering. One of the main problems the Association of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Specialists (AGS) is trying to combat is the lack of geotechnical engineers. “There’s always been a dearth of geotechnical engineers,” says Cook. “In the past year the Government has given approval to geotechnical engineers getting work permits from overseas so that’s helped to mitigate the situation.”

The AGS is supportive of the Building Research Establishment and First Steps initiatives for the development of training courses for young engineers. “These courses fill in the practical gaps between fieldwork and engineering that would, in the past have been provided by employers and some universities,” says Cook.

Publications
The AGS is in the process of writing the Yellow Book, which is the site investigation steering group specification for site investigation. The document should be ready for publication early next year and the initiative will provide a benchmark for site investigation projects, says Cook.

“Although there are issues concerning comparisons of ‘like with like’ projects and particular geotechnical inputs,” he says, “it is considered that within the next year there will be a document that could be very informative to clients and practitioners. The document will enable them to evaluate what constitutes a quality site investigation.”

In June, the AGS published the Client’s Guide to Desk Studies. It was launched at the Geodrilling Seminar held in Donnington Park. Cook describes it as a “useful edition” to the Client’s Guides. “We are now looking at producing a  client’s Guide for foundations,” says Cook, “which will include site investigation for various types of foundation options like piling.”

The AGS reissued its Guidelines for Good Practice in Site Investigation this year. The association is also preparing a booklet linking foundations and site investigation, in association with the Federation of Piling Specialists (FPS). The booklet is due to be published in spring next year.

The SGV problem
Soil Guideline Values (SGVs) have provedproblematic for the AGS this year. The lack of SGVs in making geoenvironmental assessments of the ground is an issue that keeps rearing its head, says Cook.

He says: “The association has continued to lobby government agencies like the Cabinet Office-led SGV Task Force and the Environment Agency (EA), to speed up the development of SGVs, which are required to assess brownfield site around conditions. We need to be provided some sort of guidance on the SGVs so that people can start making decisions about the requirements for the remediation site.”

Soil Testing
AGS has been involved with the EA and National House-Building Council to support the requirements of Monitoring Certification Scheme (MCERTS) for laboratory testing.

Piling
The AGS and the Federation of Piling Specialists have agreed to promote the use of AGS-formatted data by site investigation specialists. “This is for the common benefit of piling contractors and design engineers,” says Cook.

Eurocodes
Cook says the AGS has been extremely concerned that the National Application Document for Eurocode 7 has been impeded because of the lack of funding. “The delay of this document could have serious implications for the UK if it is not available by January 2007,” he says. The AGS, together with Ground Forum, has been lobbying to get the document recognised.

The aims and objectives of the AGS are:
• promote and enhance the quality ofprofessional practice in geotechnical and geoenvironmental engineering
• facilitate close liaison between all geotechnical and geoenvironmental organisations
• champion and represent the geotechnical and geoenvironmental industry
• represent and uphold member’s interests in commercial and professional matters
• agree and publish guidelines on good practice and on ethical and professional matters
• encourage quality management systems in geotechnical and geoenvironmental work
• assist and influence decision making within client organisations