Ground Engineering & Tunnelling (UK)

As one of the industry leaders, our Railway Geotechnics discipline is engaged at all project lifecycle stages including site inspection, ground investigation, detailed design and construction support.

Our clients require value-engineered solutions and an important part of our work is developing automation through the use of digital tools.

We are a recognised framework partner and work closely with a number of contractors providing buildable solutions to extend the life of railway assets. We are lead designer on East West Rail Phase 2, which re-introduces passenger services between Oxford and Cambridge and covers over 70km of earthworks and the Engineering Delivery Partner on Phase 1 of HS2.

Network Rail are a key client and we are actively involved with many projects across their five UK regions.

Geotechnical expertise for our Highway clients is provided in five main areas: site assessment, design, certification, site supervision and asset management.

We work with a range of public sector clients such as Highway England, the Welsh Government and Transport Scotland as well as numerous Local Authorities undertaking design services and management of geotechnical assets.

The asset management side of our business covers physical inspections and monitoring as well as creating and maintaining databases of assets to enable a risk-based and proactive approach to remediation and improvement works.

AtkinsRéalis also work with major contractors on the delivery of Design and Build Projects such as the A14 Cambridge to Huntingdon Improvement Scheme, A9 Dualling Northern Section and A465 Heads of the Valley Dualling Section 2, covering the design of earthworks, reinforced soil structures and slopes, retaining walls and foundations to structures.

We also work closely with other disciplines and can draw upon experts on contaminated land, hydrogeology, flood risk, environmental management and mitigation, heritage, landscape and tunnelling.

Renewables: We have a long history of providing support both offshore and onshore for renewable technologies including offshore wind, wave and tidal, solar, geothermal and CCS. In offshore wind, we have a pedigree of over 40 prestigious and diverse projects throughout the world including UK, Europe, China, Taiwan, South Korea and the USA. Examples throughout the project lifecycle include desk study and 3D ground modelling and jacket foundation design for the St Brieuc OWF France, Concept to Detailed Design of the pre-piled jacket substructures for Beatrice OWF and design optimisation for Triton Knoll OWF which resulted £45M of client savings.

Conventional Power & Distribution: The power network and distribution is the common thread amongst the other sectors outlined above. We work closely with the likes of National Grid and others to ensure that power generated is distributed. We also assist other providers and operators in optimising or decarbonising current operations.

We provide world-class ground engineering services to enable clients to deliver excellence in their projects. Our reputation has been built up over many years by combining the knowledge of experienced staff with cutting-edge digital techniques.

UK Regulated Water: we have worked alongside most UK Water companies in both strategic partnership roles and as Design and Build partners and have built strong relationships along the way. We have also played a leading role as detailed designers in the delivery of Thames Tideway. We are currently part of the Programme Delivery Partner (PDP) JV working on Anglian Waters reservoir programme which is a framework spanning the next 15 years. The work will involve the design and construction of two new reservoirs: the first new reservoirs in the UK for 30 years.

Environment Agency (EA): we have a strong portfolio of projects with the EA ranging from small-scale remediation of flood defences to large complex flood risk management storage schemes. Our reputation and excellent working relationship with the EA is built on the skills, excellence and commitment of our people. This is demonstrated through the successful appointment of AtkinsRéalis to the new Collaborative Delivery Framework (CDF) as a design consultant for the South Western region, where we are working closely with Kier and the EA to deliver innovative, carbon-neutral, economic solutions over the next five years.

UK Ports: we have a strong track record and portfolio of current projects working closely with our maritime clients. We are working across the port sector for private, trust and public body port owners and operators. Our involvement in the UK ports sector covers both the detailed design of new quaysides and associated assets as well as the inspections and maintenance of existing facilities. AtkinsRéalis is currently acting as a designer on behalf of contractors constructing a range of new facilities across the UK, from ferry terminals to deep water berths and land reclamation.

International Water & Ports: our team has worked on various international projects to improve the reliability and sanitation of current water supplies and to provide flood alleviation barriers. Recent projects include the Freetown Water Supply Project in Sierra Leone and the Kelani flood alleviation scheme in Sri Lanka.

Geotechnical expertise in the Cities and Development market supports our clients across many segments of the built environment including residential and commercial development sectors, and the education sector and helps unlock transport-oriented development.

Our expertise ranges from contributing to development appraisal and master planning through to outlining and detailed design stages of projects and construction supervision.

The Ground Engineering team has provided invaluable support in major airport expansions including London City Airport and Gatwick Airport.

The team was also involved during the ground investigations at Heathrow undertaken in support to the airport’s sustainable expansion.

Oil & Gas: Over 50 years of heritage in the development of the oil and gas market internationally across the full project lifecycle (Upstream, Midstream and Downstream). Our global team of experienced ground engineering professionals work on some of the most challenging projects to ensure that geotechnical challenges and geological risks are managed.

Mining: Mining and quarrying companies frequently turn to AtkinsRéalis to provide high-end design, project management, engineering, environmental and geotechnical services for various high-profile projects. This work has frequently pushed the boundaries of technology and innovation including the recent Interpretation of satellite, aerial, UAV & LiDAR data combined with 3D, 4D & 5D ground modelling and visualisation. We are currently actively involved with both live UK new mines for West Cumbria Mining and Sirus Minerals.

We are an active Tier 1 consultant to the Nuclear new build industry in the UK at varying stages including Hinkley Point C and Sizewell C for EDF and Bradwell B (CGN) and provide services ranging from permitting and 3D modelling through to engineering delivery, design management and client side consultancy.

Our geotechnical expertise in the Defence sector relies on our wide range of experience in both national and international geotechnical projects, both in defence and civil engineering.

We have gained an enviable reputation in seismic and blast engineering through major projects undertaken for Defence sector clients including various seismically qualified government buildings for the DIO internationally and within the UK.

Our extensive work in fields such as civil nuclear and offshore engineering provides substantial technical crossover which has enabled us to build a large team of engineers with the required specialist skills for defence projects.

Our commitment to staff technical development has enabled us to push industry-leading innovations to the benefit of our clients. A number of specialist ex-services and army reserve staff are employed by AtkinsRéalis giving a first-hand insight into the requirements of the MoD.