The GEO operates on the basis of 11 Divisions under the direction of the Head of Geotechnical Engineering Office and provides the following geotechnical engineering services:.
One of the GEO's major slope safety regulatory functions is to audit the design of geotechnical works to ensure they meet current safety standards. Each District Division is responsible for a geographical region of Hong Kong. The scope of auditing covers the design of the geotechnical aspects of all building developments and civil engineering works and the standards of site supervision.
In particular, the District Divisions audit the site formation works, landslip prevention and mitigation works, deep excavations, tunnelling works, caverns and foundation works in areas with cavernous marble or complex geological conditions that are designed and constructed by the private sector, public authorities and government departments.
In exercising geotechnical control over private sector projects, we operate through the statutory powers of the Buildings Department to approve design submissions made by a developer's agent or an owner's agent before construction proceeds. The District Divisions also provide an emergency response service in relation to landslide incidents and advice on the clearance of squatter structures on slope safety grounds.
One of the most effective methods for reducing landslide risks is land use planning, in which the potential impact of natural hazards is taken into account in planning new developments as part of a wider risk management strategy.
We provide the Planning Department and the Lands Department with geotechnical input at the early stages of land developments, identifying any geotechnical constraints and advising on the suitability of land for specific purposes. We also undertake technical studies to promote the enhanced use of rock caverns and urban underground space for more efficient use of land resources.
The GEO manages projects under the LPMitP, including planning and launching the projects, managing financial resources, monitoring works expenditure and progress, and appointing and managing consultants to undertake the projects. We select potentially substandard man-made slopes and vulnerable natural hillside catchments for inclusion into the LPMitP and provide technical support to other departments with regard to preventive maintenance works. As part of the LPMitP, studies of high priority man-made slopes, retaining walls and natural hillside catchments are carried out to identify potential danger and the need for preventive and mitigation works.
Where preventive, remedial or mitigation measures are needed for man-made slopes or natural hillside catchments that are under Government's maintenance responsibility, detailed design and the necessary works will be carried out to reduce the landslide risk.
In the design of slope upgrading works, innovative design approaches and new techniques are adopted where possible in order to improve quality and enhance cost effectiveness. We carry out tendering, management and supervision of contracts for LPMit works designed in-house. Apart from in-house slope studies, we are also responsible for managing consultants, who are engaged in assignments to investigate, design, prepare contracts, manage and supervise the construction of LPMit works.
As for slopes or retaining walls on private land, we manage consultants who are engaged to study and recommend follow-up actions.
Where the slope or retaining wall studied is found to be sub-standard, unstable or becoming dangerous, statutory orders will be issued to the responsible private owners by the Buildings Department through the Buildings Ordinance to ensure appropriate follow-up actions to be taken on the sub-standard situations.
Landslides occurring in natural terrain can be very large and travel long distances, such as those occurred in Tsing Shan in , Sham Tseng San Tsuen in , and western Lantau in The GEO has carried out numerous research and development activities since the early s to prepare for the risks posed by natural terrain landslides. The natural terrain hazard studies and necessary mitigation works on selected sites with known significant natural terrain hazards are undertaken under the LPMitP.
Over the years, we have made significant advances in applying new digital and information technology and expanded its ability to manage natural terrain landslides. Geographical Information System is used in spatial analysis and 3-D engineering modelling. Some of the new technologies adopted include digital photogrammetry, satellite-based Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar, remote sensing using 3-D laser scanning and image processing and air-borne Light Detection and Ranging.
Systematic landslide investigations are carried out as part of the LPMitP. The scope of landslide investigations includes examination of all reported landslide incidents and in-depth studies of selected significant landslides to identify the causes of failure and necessary follow-up actions.
Aenean nonummy hendrerit mauris. Phasellus porta. Fusce suscipit varius mi. Cum sociis natoque penatibus. We adhere to stringent quality! Cum sociis natoque penatibt magnis dis parturient montes, nascetur ridiculus s. Nulla dui. Fusce feugiat malesuada odio. Morbi nunc odio, gravida at, cursus nec, luctus a, lorem. Maecenas tristique orci ac sem. Duis ultriciegravida s pharetra magna. There is also the problem of margins — many are reporting increasing order books but until more ground engineering companies become busy enough to turn away work, clients will still be getting very good value out of the geotechnics business.
Another issue that is of concern to many in trying to meet the increasing demand for ground engineering services is matching it with skilled staff.
The beneficial effect of Crossrail on the ground engineering market can be clearly seen in the positions of the top 10 businesses. The other positions in the top 10 are taken by Fugro Geoconsulting in sixth place, Expanded Geotechnical and Keller in joint seventh place and Bam Ritchies at number 10 in the rankings. UK infrastructure is also coming back with work coming through for both rail and highways.
But we are starting to see shoots of recovery outside the south-east. We need to demand a fair price for our work and not just go for turnover. For the first time in the last five years, respondents to the GSF are not expecting workload to decrease in the next 12 months and more than half are expecting levels to grow during that period. Housing is expected to continue to drive the ground engineering market over the next year but other big growth areas over the next 12 months, according to the GSF survey, will be in the power and rail sectors.
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