Ground Modelling

The services required by a modernised Construction Industry have changed at a rapid pace and Portland Consulting Engineers have responded proactively to the change by investing substantially in computerised software that delivers solutions to overall site development in an effective manner.

Ground modelling is not a new idea but the sustainable Agenda created by Government Legislation on energy and waste has meant that site developers and their design team must respond effectively in reducing the export of materials from a development site into Landfill. This is primarily due to the way in which site excavated spoils are classified in terms of special waste.

The ground modelling approach allows the site layout inclusive of roads, drainage and buildings to be located onto a three dimensional topographical survey. The resultant 3D development model can be adjusted to provide overall volumes of material of either a surplus or negative nature.

Computer software allows the designer to adjust the model until the best balance of ‘cut and fill’ is achieved which bests suits the development of a particular site. This method of modelling is particularly useful when trying to achieve the most effective means of access to individual properties or buildings within the overall development.

Further benefits arise due to the direct interaction between the ground modelling, highway and drainage design software enabling the designer to produce solutions that have particular restrictions imposed upon them with respect to discharge. The drainage design can interactively produce attenuation and storage scenario’s to produce a workable solution.

Once the model has been generated the software allows the designer to value engineer the overall solution on behalf of the rest of the team. This has been particularly useful in the early discussions on abnormal site development costs and land values.