Magnum GSIGeotechnical and geo-environmental assessment
We turn site data into engineering and environmental decisions: ground models and design parameters from investigation results, contamination and ground gas risk assessment, and the hydrogeological and planning material that regulators and design teams need.
Why appoint us
Data is not a decision until someone interprets it
A factual ground investigation report lists what was found. The structural engineer needs bearing parameters and a foundation constraint; the planner needs a contamination position the local authority will accept; the client needs to know whether more investigation would change the answer. That interpretation is the work.
The scope follows the decision to be made, so the assessment matches the stage of the project and the risk involved rather than a standard menu.
We review the data before we interpret it, state the uncertainty in every parameter we give, and flag where further investigation would change the conclusion.
Reports are checked by a second engineer before issue, under our ISO 9001 certified quality management system.
What we provide
From interpretive report to planning submission
The work ranges from a single interpretive report to ongoing geoscientific support across a programme of sites.
Geotechnical assessment and interpretive reporting
Ground models and design parameters from investigation data, with assessment of foundations, earthworks, retaining structures, slopes and settlement. Ground Investigation Reports and Geotechnical Design Reports structured to Eurocode 7.
Geo-environmental assessment
Phase 1 preliminary risk assessment, Phase 2 generic and detailed quantitative risk assessment under the Land Contamination Risk Management guidance, ground gas assessment to BS 8485 and CIRIA C665, and advice on remediation options and verification.
Hydrogeological and hydrological assessment
Groundwater levels and flow, dewatering and discharge, aquifer and source protection considerations, and the ground-related inputs to flood risk assessments and drainage strategies, including the material needed for abstraction and discharge consents.
Geoscientific data management and GIS
AGS 4.1 data handling, project databases, GIS figures and web-based mapping, so that investigation, monitoring and survey data can be viewed and queried by the whole team.
Planning and consenting support
Ground conditions and contamination chapters for planning submissions, responses to local authority and regulator queries, and discharge of ground-related planning conditions.
Ongoing support
Retained geoscientific input across a portfolio or programme, so each site is assessed the same way and the lessons from one carry to the next.
How it works
Scope, review, interpret, report
- Brief. What decision the assessment has to support, and what data already exists.
- Data review. Investigation, monitoring and desk data checked for coverage and quality before any interpretation.
- Assessment. Ground model, parameters and risk assessment to the standards listed below, with the uncertainty stated.
- Report. Written for its reader, whether a structural engineer, a planning officer or a regulator, and peer reviewed before issue.
Who it is for
Design teams, planners and owners
Structural and civil engineers, architects and developers who need ground parameters and constraints for design; planning consultants and applicants who need ground conditions addressed for a submission; contractors facing unexpected ground; and asset owners managing existing structures and earthworks.
We work across England, Wales and Scotland.
We also scope, procure and manage ground investigations, so the data we interpret is the data the design needed.
Ground investigation project management →Standards
What the work is carried out to
BS 5930:2015+A1:2020; BS EN 1997-1 and 1997-2 (Eurocode 7); BS 8004:2015 Code of practice for foundations; BS 6031:2009 Code of practice for earthworks; BS 10175:2011+A2:2017; BS 8485:2015+A1:2019 and CIRIA C665 for ground gas; the Land Contamination Risk Management guidance; and AGS 4.1 for data transfer. All work is carried out under our ISO 9001 certified quality management system (certificate 251677); the company holds Cyber Essentials certification, and every report is checked by a second engineer before issue.
Have investigation data that needs interpreting?
Send us the reports you hold and tell us what you are designing. We will say what the data supports and what it does not.