2018 REV 4 COURSE CALENDAR

As always, and driven by some unforeseen personal issues, we have undertaken a periodic review of our course calendar and made some small changes.  The new calendar can be downloaded from here. All courses are running in Chesterfield unless stated.  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. Remember too that all courses can be run bespoke for your company if there are sufficient numbers – just call us to see what we could do for you.  

ISTRUCTE TALK WELL RECEIVED

About 50 people turned out to hear our Dr Andy Goodwin speak about EC7 at the IStructE Regional Group meeting at University of Sheffield on 16 May 2018.  Entitled “EC7 is Just for Geotechnical Engineers – Isn’t It?”, the talk gave an overview of the drivers behind the ‘new’ code and the principal practical changes from a structural engineering perspective.  The talk seemed too go down well, and it attracted a lengthy Q&A session.   

MOCK INTERVIEW COURSES CONTINUE

We are pleased to have just been commissioned by a large consultant to run some additional mock interview courses for their graduates pursuing a professional qualification in the Autumn 2018 review sessions with the ICE.   All courses are scheduled to run in August 2018.   Each course involves the candidates submitting their draft Professional Report in advance, based on which the candidates undergo a mock review and then receive individual feedback on their report and their interview. Our Dr Andy Goodwin delivers the courses based on his extensive mentoring experience and his role as a reviewer for the ICE.  If you have a group of people needing training in this or any other skill area then contact Andy to discuss how he may be able to design a course / mentoring programme to suit your needs and add value to your service provision.

ISTRUCTE TALK ON EC7

Just in case you haven’t seen the advertising put out by IStructE, you may wish to know that our Dr Andy Goodwin is giving a presentation to the Regional Group on 16 May 2018.  Entitled “EC7 is Just for Geotechnical Engineers – Isn’t It?”, the talk is aimed at de-mystifying EC7 to help structural engineers recognise its implications for them and aid its wider adoption going forward.  It is being held from 6pm in Lecture Theatre 3, The Diamond, 32 Leavygreave Road, Sheffield S3 7RD.  Further details can be found here.

COURSES IN JUNE 2018

The following courses are planned to run in Chesterfield in June 2018.  Brief descriptions and costs for each are summarised below for ease of reference: Retaining Walls – Principles and Practice, on 7 June 2018 £250 + VAT per delegate This course aims to develop the abilities of the delegates to understand the principles and practice behind retaining structures, including the design of gravity and embedded walls. Introduction to Structural Design to the Eurocodes, on 14 June 2018 £250 + VAT per delegate The course will review the essential elements of the Eurocodes, including EC0, EC1, EC2 and EC3.  It will explore how the codes work and use guided examples to illustrate their application.
Essentials of Project Management, 19 June 2018  REVISED DATE £250 + VAT per delegate Taught from a practical perspective, the course examines what project management is and why it is needed, before introducing delegates to the importance of understanding project financing, contract requirements, and commercial risk. Ground Risk Management for Managers, on 21 June 2018 £250 + VAT per delegate Targeted at project managers and those managing / delivering geotechnical works, the course looks at how ground risk can be managed to enhance project success.
The ICE Professional Review – Overview and Preparation, on 28 June 2018 £250 + VAT per delegate Delivered by an ICE Reviewer, the course will give delegates a rounded view of the review process and provide practical tips on how to prepare your report, and prepare for the interview and written exercise. Please contact us if you wish to receive further details of any course or if you wish to make a booking.  Discounts are available for group bookings or delegates attending more than one course.
 

UPDATED SOIL NAILING STANDARD

Just in case you missed it, BSI recently announced that the UK’s soil nailing design standard has been reviewed and updated.  In their release, BSI stated: “BS 8006-2 Code of practice for strengthened/reinforced soils ‒ Part 2: Soil nail design gives recommendations and guidance for stabilizing soil slopes and faces using soil nails. As there is no corresponding EN or ISO standard, BS 8006-2 is the national de facto soil nailing design standard in the UK and Ireland. Principal technical changes include:

  • Improved compliance with BS EN 1990 on partial factors
  • Clarification of potentially ambiguous notation
  • Updated advice on atmospheric corrosivity
  • Inclusion of site investigation BS 5930
Note that the European standard in this area, BS EN 1997-1, specifically excludes soil nailing. BS 8006-2 is harmonized for use alongside that standard, as well as with BS 8006-1:2010+A1:2016 which covers other stabilization approaches using reinforced soil methods which covers the design of reinforced soil structures.“

EUROCODES AND BREXIT

We are often asked when delivering training courses on eurocodes what impact Brexit will have on Eurocodes.  BSI recently issued their update on the matter, which essentially says that “Eurocodes are here to stay and will continue to perform an essential role across Europe and beyond going forward….the intent is for the UK to remain full members of the European Committee for Standardization and European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization post-Brexit”. Further details can be seen in their article, which can be viewed here.

COURSES IN MAY 2018

The following courses are planned to run in Chesterfield in May 2018.  Brief descriptions and costs for each are summarised below for ease of reference: Shallow Foundations and Settlement – Principles and Practice, 3 May 2018 £250 + VAT per delegate The course will consider how shallow foundations are built and could fail before focusing on bearing capacity, settlement prediction, and design requirements. Mentoring for Engineering Geologists on Geotechnical Engineering, 8 May 2018 £335 + VAT per delegate This ‘long day’ course provides the equivalent of 1.5 days training with just one day out of the office.  It covers fundamental soil mechanics concepts before applying the principles to foundations, retaining walls and slopes. ICE Professional Review – Preparing for the Written Exercise, 10 May 2018 £250 + VAT per delegate The role of the Written Exercise in the review process will be discussed before examining typical question styles to help delegates understand what a question is looking for.  Exercises to plan and discuss answers will be included. Essentials of Project Management, 17 May 2018 £250 + VAT per delegate Taught from a practical perspective, the course examines what project management is and why it is needed, before introducing delegates to the importance of understanding project financing, contract requirements, and commercial risk. CDM 2015 – Thre Years On (half day), on 22 May 2018 £150 + VAT per delegate The course will review the essential elements of CDM 2015 before reflecting on the lessons learned since the Regulations were implemented. Managing and Leading Teams, on 24 May 2018 £250 + VAT per delegate This course is aimed primarily at young staff wanting or needing to develop their understanding of the breadth of management and leadership approaches. Please contact us if you wish to receive further details of any course or if you wish to make a booking.  Discounts are available for group bookings or delegates attending more than one course.  

UPDATED COURSE CALENDAR ISSUED

As always, we have undertaken a periodic review of our course calendar and made some changes.  The new calendar can be downloaded from here. Upcoming courses in May include:
  • Shallow Foundations and Settlement, on 3 May
  • Mentoring for Engineering Geologists on Geotechnical Engineering (1.5 days equivalent), on 8 May
  • The ICE Professional Review – Preparing for the Written Exercise, on 10 May
  • Essentials of Project Management, on 17 May
  • CDM 2015 – Three Years On (half day), on 22 May
  • Managing and Leading Teams, on 24 May
In addition to these standard day courses, we have our inaugural Design Programme on Soil Slope Stability and Earthworks .  This programme of 6 evening  courses starts on 30 May.  It allows delegates to explore the subject matter in more depth than possible during a typical day course. All courses are 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. Remember too that all courses can be run bespoke for your company if there are sufficient numbers – just call us to see what we could do for you.  

TWO TRAINING AGREEMENTS SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED

We are delighted to announce that Sam Fish (pictured) and Adam Farrance of DNV GL have recently been signed off their ICE training agreements.  We are very pleased for them both and look forward to supporting them further as they prepare for their Chartered Professional Reviews.

Both Sam and Adam have been supported by our Dr Andy Goodwin for several years in his longstanding SCE role with the company.  Adam had this to say about the mentoring support he had received:

“Surepath have been supportive of my development and made sure that their training was adapted to suit my learning style.  I was made to feel valued, which helped to build the easy working relationship that led to me being signed off with the ICE.”

We much appreciate the feedback, which reflects the ethos and efforts put in by Andy in his support of all mentees.  Andy looks forward to continuing his role with DNV GL, and to signing off other graduates over the next few years.

If you are in need of mentoring or need a mentor for your staff, then please feel free to contact Andy to discuss how he could use his mentoring and professional skills to help you.  He may be contacted on 01246 807808 or email him using the enquiries link on this website.   Andy will happily talk you through what we could do for you to add value to your existing arrangements and processes, without any obligation.