Our expertise includes geohazard assessments, in particular landslide hazards in mountainous and tropical regions.
Landslides are controlled by complex and often inter-related geological and geomorphological factors. With an in-depth understanding of geological and geomorphological processes, GRS provides clear insight into the problem, allowing for the rapid and cost effective evaluation of the risk and, where appropriate, detailed analysis and mitigation design.
For example, in 2008 GRS, on behalf of Scott Wilson Limited, mapped and evaluated specific engineering geological problems associated with sections of a new 139km mountain road construction project through landslide prone terrain in Ethiopia.
In Hong Kong, the Government has recently commenced a 10-year programme of Landslip Prevention and Mitigation (LPMit), focusing on the risk from natural slopes rather than that of man-made slopes, and GRS have been retained as a specialist sub-consultant on 6 out of 8 agreements let to date (July 2009) which have values of between US$0.8M and US$3.5M.
The key aspects of a geohazard assessment, including the engineering geological input are illustrated in this Figure. This approach is discussed in detail in Parry, S., Hart, J.R. & Moore, A.J. (2009) Reducing Uncertainty in Natural Terrain Hazard Studies: the Role of the Engineering Geologist. Proceedings of the 29th Annual Seminar, Geotechnical Division, Hong Kong Institution of Engineers. pp 61-70. http://www.hkieged.org/proceeding.pdf