~ Geobear is in contention for further industry recognition ~
Ground engineering specialist Geobear has been nominated for several industry awards, including UK Project with a Geotechnical Value of between £500K and £1M Award alongside Network Rail, Ayesa and Murphy. The other shortlistings are for the Small Project Award, up to £5 million, and the Health and Safety Award. The Institute of Civil Engineers North West Civil Engineering Awards and Ground Engineering Awards will be presented on May 8 and June 18, 2025, respectively.
The project with Network Rail, Ayesa and Murphy, shortlisted for the UK Project award, happened in spring 2024 after a train derailment caused by a void under the track. The site, situated between a sea wall holding back estuary tides and a surface water lagoon, had a Site of Special Scientific Interest classification, eliminating cementitious engineering options that could seep into the soil.
Geobear designed a solution using its quick-setting, highly expansive geopolymer to fill the void under the seawall, preventing collapse and tidal flooding. During track bed reconstruction, Ayesa and Geobear designed and deployed a geopolymer solution beneath the surface, creating solid, lasting foundations.
“This project required careful collaboration under intense pressure to reopen the track from the local community and logistical business interests,” said Richard Holmes, director at Geobear UK. “Brilliant engineering enabled trains to run after just one month; traditional excavation solutions might have taken triple that time.”
Geobear earned the Health and Safety award nomination after its occupational health team redesigned vertical drill stands used daily by its technicians. The original stands were heavy, difficult to transport and designed for flat surfaces, limiting their practicality.
The new design features lighter, modular sections, off-road wheels, a rear counterweight, and stabiliser jacks for improved stability and ease of transport. These enhancements have reduced the risk of musculoskeletal disorders, injuries, and ill health, earning positive feedback from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
“These shortlistings reflect Geobear’s ability to respond quickly and effectively in cases of geotechnical distress, as well as our commitment to supporting employee health and wellbeing,” explained Simon Hughes, managing director at Geobear.
“The Geobear injection geopolymer solution is faster, less disruptive and more environmentally friendly than other techniques, like underpinning and piling, so I’m pleased to see it recognised by these bodies,” concluded Hughes.
Find out why Geobear’s rapid, low-environmental impact solution keeps earning award nominations in geotechnical engineering here.
