Feasibility Studies

Feasibility equals Constructability: Investment within the pre-construction / feasibility stage of project planning has proven long term savings on wider project programmes & budgets.  Excalon’s dedicated Feasibility Team are able to offer a full service from initial consultation to providing full, detailed & comprehensive Feasibility Surveys & Reports.

What do we do?

Excalon undertake route optioneering exercises to develop viable routes for construction between 2 locations. The route optioneering typically covers the following scope of works:

• Desktop Feasibility options for solution stage. Route options are reviewed with one option recommended for further development
• Review of Special Engineering Difficulties (SED) and Special Environmental Engineering Difficulties (SEED)
• Identification of possible Highways Restrictions such as Section 58’s
• Identification of Stakeholders impacted by the selected route option
• Construction design based on feasibility investigations
• Communication between Excalon and client maintained during development

Route Selection

Example Route Map

The route selection process typically involves:

• Route walks – Routes are walked by Operational Teams to review pinch points and potential SEDs
• Utility Drawings – A full utility pack for each route is reviewed to propose a constructable route subject for trial hole investigations
• Stakeholders – The number & type of stakeholders affected by each route is recorded
• Environmental – Desktop searches are completed along the routes to confirm the least impactful. These typically cover TPOs, Priority Habitats, SSSI & RAMSAR Sites, Historical Waste Disposal sites, Listed buildings
• Section 58s – A review of all roads on each route is undertaken

 

Feasibility Investigations

Example Trial Hole Investigation Report

 

Once a preferred route is outlined ground investigations are conducted along the route including:

• Trial holes undertaken on SED locations to confirm the installation of ducting is possible.
• GPR Surveys at key locations are identified to confirm if the location was viable for the
  scheme whilst attempting to maintain as little impact upon residents and businesses.
• Bore holes are proposed at locations which may require HDD Design.
• As part of the detailed design, key locations are selected for Jointbay positions at specific locations to meet client requirements for the circuit but with as little impact upon residents and businesses as possible.
• Ground penetrating Rader (GPR) is utilised at locations found to be pinch points but not suited to trial holes due to their locations, such as busy junctions where trial hole works would be extremely disruptive to residents, businesses and commuters, or for safety reasons e.g the presence of a HP gas main.

The aim of these investigations at the SED and pinch points is to enable a smooth construction process to minimise delays in any excavations caused by unforeseen circumstances.

 

Communications Plan

Example Stakeholder Drawing

 

As part of a detailed feasibility study, a comprehensive communications plan is developed for each route investigated. Each stakeholder identified is categorised with a communication plan generated. Engagement with the affected stake holders will be suited to the priority level e.g. Higher priority stakeholders will need additional attention in the form of face-to-face meetings during the planning stage of the works.

Compliance Standards:

• BS EN 1997-1:2004+A1:2013, Eurocode 7: Geotechnical design – Part 1: General Rules
• BS EN 1997-2:2007, Eurocode 7: Geotechnical design – Part 2: Ground Investigation & Testing
• BS 5930:2015, Code of practice for ground investigations
• BS 10175:2011+A1:2013, Investigation of potentially contaminated sites – Code of practice
• BS EN ISO 14688-1:2002, Geotechnical Investigation & Testing – Identification and classification of soil – Part 1: Identification & Description
• BS EN ISO 14689-1:2004, Geotechnical Investigation & Testing – Identification and classification of soil – Part 2: Principles for a classification
• BS EN ISO 14689-1:2003, Geotechnical Investigation & Testing – Identification and classification of rock – Part 1: Identification & Description
• BS 8574, Code of practice for the management of geotechnical data for ground engineering projects
• PAS 128:2014 quality level QL-A
• Network Rail Standards NR/L3/CIV/071
• Highways England Motorway DS HD22/11
• NRSWA

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