Author Archives: Andy Goodwin

NHBC BFT 2017 COMPLETED!

A smiling Andy Goodwin and James Regan of GeoMatters (https://lnkd.in/gNS29hP) having finished their tour of the UK supporting the NHBC’s Building for Tomorrow 2017 events! It was a really well organised tour by the NHBC and their events team, so thanks to everyone there.  It was great to speak to everyone on our travels too of course.

GI DESIGN TO EC7

EC7 has been here for a decade now and its use in industry is becoming more widespread all the time.  The 2015 update of the Code of Practice for Ground Investigations, BS5930, says GI’s ‘should’ follow the guidance in EC7 on GI quantum.  This coupled with the adoption of EC7 in Building Regulations and NHBC standards means that GI design is potentially set for some significant changes. To help the industry prepare, we are running again our intensive half day course that aims to address the likely impact of EC7 on ground investigation design.  It will be taught against a background introduction to design practice to EC7, and the requirements for ground characterisation and parametric assessment in particular.  The majority of the course will focus on EC7 design requirements for GI’s, including a design exercise to examine the scale of changes that could be required. The course will introduce also changes to logging and reporting requirements to suit EC7. This course is running in Chesterfield on 4 May 2017.  Please call or email us to reserve your place on this course, or to discuss running it bespoke for your company or team.  Discounts are available for group bookings or delegates attending more than one course.    

COURSES IN APRIL 2017

The year keeps rolling on and Easter is almost already upon us already.  We have several courses coming up in April, including:
  • Retaining wall design to EC7 on 19 April
  • CDM 2015 – Two Years On on 25 April
  • Slope Stability – Principles and Practice on 27 April
We are also repeating our half day course on GI design to EC7 in late April – date TBC. Each course is running in Chesterfield.  Discounts are available for group bookings or delegates attending more than one course. Please call or email us to reserve your place on a course.    

IMAGES FROM NHBC BFT 2017

Some images from the NHBC Building  for Tomorrow” event for 2017, on which we have enjoyed supporting them over the last 4 weeks.  We’ve been talking alongside James Regan of Geo-Matters (https://lnkd.in/gNS29hP) at many of the events.                                    

NHBC BFT2017

We have been busy for the last 4 weeks delivering our part of the NHBC Building for Tomorrow 2017 roadshow.   “Ground Investigation Good Practice” was the subject of our contribution.  It has been great meeting so many people and cascading the news on the GI changes coming due to EC7 and BS5930:2015. More news on this road trip to follow….

NHBC “BUILDING FOR TOMORROW” 2017

We are pleased to announce that we have been asked to support the NHBC in the delivery of their “Building  for Tomorrow” event for 2017.  Together with a partner, Geo Matters Limited, we will be providing a seminar on future changes to ground investigation requirements to meet changes introduced by EC7, BS5930:2015 and BS8004:2015.  We will be presenting at venues across the UK and we look forward to seeing some of you there.  More details of the event can be found using this link.

COURSE CALENDAR FOR 2017

We are pleased to announce that our course calendar for 2017 is now available on the website – just click on “Download Our Calendar” link on the left sidebar or click on this link to access your own copy in a new window. We hope the expanded list of courses offered as ‘open’ courses rather than just bespoke will be welcomed and will aid the planing of your staff development activities.  Remember discounts are available for group bookings or delegates attending more than one course. Please call or email us to reserve your place on a course.    

FIRST CALL FOR COURSES IN JANUARY 2017

We already have several bespoke course commissions for January 2017, and to complement them we are pleased to announce our first public courses in January are also open for bookings.  Each is running in Chesterfield on the following dates: Earthworks – Principles and Practice, 26 January 2016 (£220 + VAT) The course will start from a review of the typical forms of earthworks and will emphasise the need to clearly understand and integrate the design and construction aspects. Key elements to the design of fills will then be addressed including the range of specification types, acceptability criteria, monitoring and control of earthworks, and reporting and certification.  Shallow Foundations and Settlement – Principles and Practice, 31 January 2016 (£220 + VAT This revamped course for 2017 has a greater emphasis on settlements than previously, with minimal content on piled foundations.  It will begin with a review of how foundations are built and fail, before considering bearing capacity and how it is assessed in principle and, in brief, to EC7.  It then focuses on methods of estimating the settlement of shallow foundations. The course will culminate with the application of the learning to case studies. Discounts are available for group bookings or delegates attending more than one course. Please call or email us to reserve your place on a course.    

100% PASS RATE IN AUTUMN REVIEWS!

We are very pleased to be able to offer our congratulations to four mentees of our Dr Andy Goodwin, all of whom successfully navigated their recent chartership reviews.  Two were successful in their Chartered Professional Reviews with the ICE, whilst the other two achieved chartered status with the Geological Society.  Though they are shy to have their names broadcast they know who they are…….. All four have worked with Andy for some time and their success is testament to their professionalism and capability.  We wish you every success with your future careers. If you are in need of mentoring, or need a mentor for your staff, then please contact Andy on 01246 807808 or email him at andy.goodwin@surepathtraining.co.uk.  He will happily talk you through what we could do for you to add value to your existing arrangements and processes, without any obligation.

BESPOKE GEOLOGY COURSE COMMISSIONED

We are pleased to announce that we recently delivered a bespoke course on engineering geology for a large consultancy.  Targeted at civil engineering graduates, the course focused on developing their understanding of geology and its significance in geotechnical engineering.  It was delivered in an interactive, workshops style and covered aspects such as:
  • fundamental geological concepts
  • understanding geological maps
  • practical exercises on developing ground models and cross sections
  • an overview of the geology of the British Isles
  • hazards and risks presented by the major geological units in the UK.
The course was very well received and all delegates felt they had significantly deepened their knowledge and appreciation.  If you have a group of people needing training in this or any other skill area then contact us to discuss how we may be able to design a course to suit your needs and add value to your service provision.