As the demand for robust engineering projects continues to rise, the need for advanced tools and technologies to support project planning becomes increasingly vital. In the high-stakes world of construction and infrastructure development, the ground you build on is your first, and arguably most critical, consideration. Before the first shovel hits the earth, developers and engineers in the UK are legally required to undertake a detailed ground investigation (GI). But what if you could have an advanced "heads up" on potential ground hazards and engineering challenges, moving beyond the mere rock type and straight to the critical properties that affect your build?
Enter BGS Civils. It's a fundamental shift from the traditional geology map, simplifying complex subsurface data into a single, cohesive layer that provides an advanced warning of unusual geology or potential site issues [01:03].
The bedrock of traditional BGS data is a rich lexicon of rock names. While invaluable to a geologist, these names don't always translate directly into the practical engineering properties the "strength" or "break-up potential" that a civil engineer needs to know [05:19]. BGS Civils bridges this gap.
It uses a vast collection of borehole data and donated engineering data to generate a simple, yet powerful, summary of the ground's engineering characteristics. Critically, the dataset is deliberately focused on the uppermost three meters of the subsurface [01:55]. This is the most crucial zone, where nearly all foundations, pipelines, and general infrastructure services are laid, and it is the depth you are most likely to dig into.
This blog aims to shed light on how BGS Civils can dramatically enhance the project planning process. BGS Civils is a suite of digital geological data and information specifically designed for civil engineers. It offers a detailed understanding of ground conditions, facilitating effective planning and decision-making processes in construction projects.
The BGS Civils dataset provides summaries across nine key engineering characteristics, with several proving indispensable for developers:
Strength: A self-explanatory ballpark figure, this indicates how strong the rocks are in your area of interest [02:31]. Understanding this early on allows engineers to anticipate potential difficulties or delays and plan accordingly.
Discontinuities: This characteristic describes the natural ability of rocks and deposits to break up or fall apart [02:54]. It's vital information for planning how you will excavate the site and whether you can rely on the material's natural ability to fracture when moved.
Excavatability: Derived from the strength and discontinuity properties, this component helps you estimate the costs of moving materials around [03:12], directly impacting your project's budget and timeline.
Bulking Effect: When you dig a hole, you can't always put all the material back. The bulking effect provides a simple model to estimate the volume of material that will need to be disposed of after foundation digging [03:20], allowing you to factor in potentially significant disposal costs for site operations.
Highway 600: A highly specific and useful layer for the infrastructure sector, this component references the national manual to advise whether dug material can be reused as embankment fill or must be disposed of [05:56].
Corrosivity: This layer is a necessary heads-up for projects involving metalwork (ferrous materials) being placed in the ground [03:52].
Sulfates and Sulfides: Perhaps one of the most crucial warnings, this property alerts engineers to the presence of sulfates and sulfides in the ground. If these materials are exposed to air and wetted/re-wetted, they can react with certain types of cement, leading to the deterioration of concrete foundations [04:04]. Knowing this in advance is paramount for selecting the correct concrete mix and handling the excavated material carefully.
Foundation conditions and foundation types make up the remainder of the nine components, offering a rounded view for foundation design [05:47].
While always useful, the resistivity layer has become one of the most popular and relevant components in recent years [04:21].
With the national shift toward electric vehicles (EVs), new energy generation and smarter infrastructure, the ground's ability to conduct electricity is more important than ever. Resistivity data, which is a function of clay content, moisture and temperature [08:16], is essential for people planning to install:
Transformers
New cables
Earthing electrical systems
Simply put, it helps you understand how current flows through the ground [04:52]. This is critical not just for safety, but for efficiency and cost. For example, a developer looking to install a bank of EV charging points might find that an area just 100 meters down the road is much more suitable, a "less resistive lump of rock" allowing for an easier, less expensive installation [07:54].
BGS Civils is no doubt a game-changer in the world of civil engineering. Its ability to provide detailed, accurate, and up-to-date geological data makes it an indispensable tool for any civil engineering project. By leveraging BGS Civils, engineers can navigate the complex world of engineering properties with confidence, ensuring successful project outcomes.
In conclusion, BGS Civils is an essential tool that every civil engineer should consider integrating into their project planning process. Its benefits of risk mitigation, time and cost efficiency, improved decision making and sustainability make it a valuable tool for navigating engineering properties with confidence.
Video Source: CentremapsLive Professional Discussion; BGS Civils (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PApJXPgM23A)
Order your BGS Civils dataset today, via our ordering interface on www.centremapslive.co.uk