CARD has been involved with a large number of projects involving live electrical installations, including site investigations and risk assessments plus the design of solutions to overcome difficult ground conditions, limited clearance and remote sites.

A typical power line project was the investigation of 25 towers across a route covering 40km of north Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire that was to be upgraded from 275kV to 400kV, necessitating the refurbishment and upgrading of towers and foundations. CARD investigated the tower sites and existing foundations utilising a variety of ground investigation techniques, appropriate to each situation, to provide design parameters for the contractor.

A further example was the diversion of an overhead power line on the outskirts of Exeter, involving the construction of three new towers. For this we were appointed to investigate the ground conditions at the proposed sites and report on contamination and groundwater levels; give waste disposal advice; and provide geotechnical parameters for the foundation design.

We also regularly undertake substation work. Near Hexham a new electricity substation was required in an area of known mine workings. We undertook a desk study which revealed a number of shafts nearby. The investigation on site began with an electro-magnetic geophysical survey followed by the sinking of boreholes at identified shaft locations and closely spaced parallel trial trenches to bedrock where further shafts were suspected.

CARD is UVDB Achilles registered (supplier No. 83142) and our engineers are experienced in all aspects of site appraisals within the power sector.