Shire Consulting's specialist geotechnical division was started in 1997 to provide a fast appraisal of building subsidence claims on behalf of insurers. Today, a skilled team of geotechnical engineers and technicians supports the building and property survey, civil and structural engineers and telecoms groups. Ground investigation projects have been completed for the housing, commercial, public service and educational property sectors and ten telecom base station sites are surveyed each month.

The benefit of a good geotechnical appraisal is that foundation designs can be specified without over-engineering or compromise to safety. As environmental pressures push for the regeneration of brownfield sites Shire Consulting is working closely with land owners and developers and has carried out appraisals for sites with chemical contamination, loose fills, gas generation and mining activities.

Desktop studies, including searches of previous use records and data held by the utility companies and underground mining companies, followed by trial pits and soil sampling down to six metres are carried out promptly and economically by the team. An independent quality assured laboratory carries out an analysis of core samples for us. More detailed research and investigations can be carried out in house and on site to determine the reason for any abnormal sample results. A network of partners carries out core sampling below six metres.

Drain condition and subsidence surveys continue to be provided for insurers, property owners and property managers often as part of the more comprehensive structural surveys carried out to determine the cause of damage to property and the most cost effective means of effecting repairs.

Our services include:

• desktop searches and reports
• trial pits and sampling
• laboratory analysis
• detailed investigations
• drain video camera surveys
• subsidence survey support
• advice and recommendations