Gravelly Hill, Birmingham
February 2022
RML were commissioned to carry out a Phase I Desk Study and Phase II Site Investigation for Vodafone at a site in Gravelly Hill, Birmingham.
Walkover Survey by RML Engineer
A walkover survey was carried out by an RML Engineer to establish if contamination is present from any undocumented practice or industrial use of the land and surrounding land and if necessary to confirm the accuracy of the information obtained from elsewhere as part of the Preliminary Risk Assessment (PRA) data gathering process . A visual assessment of the land to check for signs of industrial activity, landfilling, fly tipping , fuel storage, fuel tanks, asbestos related materials or any land contamination was undertaken and a photographic record made to provide evidence to show the condition of the land at the time of the Walkover Survey.
UXO Report
The Detailed UXO Threat & Risk Assessment concluded that the risk level for the site was ‘high’ with the most probable UXO threat posed by WWII German HE bombs, whilst IBs (Incendiary Bomb) and British AAA (Anti-Aircraft Ammunition) projectiles (which were used to defend against German bombing raids) pose a residual threat. On site UXO support was therefore coordinated for all intrusive work.
Historical Maps
Historical Ordnance Survey maps were also obtained for the site, as part of the PRA data gathering process. These maps were used to inform of potential historical contaminative processes.
Site Engineering Work
5 No. concrete cores, MEXE probe CBR tests, 2 No. Drive-in-sampler boreholes, on-site UXO support and Land-borne gas monitoring were undertaken by experienced drillers and engineers.
Laboratory Testing
Moisture contents, Atterberg Limits, Particle Size Distribution, Particle Size Distribution, Quick Undrained Triaxial Compression Tests, Uniaxial compression strength, pH & Sulphates, Chemical Analysis of soil and water and Asbestos Identification were laboratory tests undertaken for this project.