Galway Wind Park, Ireland

FT were retained by Roadbridge Ltd to undertake detailed geotechnical design for the following elements of the development:

• Detailed geotechnical design of all access roads, including designs for the geotechnical make-up of the constructed ‘founded’ and ‘floating’ road types
• Geotechnical input into the detailed design of the cable route and cable route crossings
• Detailed geotechnical design of the hardstand and turbine sub-formations.
• Detailed geotechnical design of the borrow pits and material deposition areas including peat retaining structures.

During the construction phase of the development FT provided full time site support in the form of a specialist geotechnical clerk of works. As well as providing full time supervision and support during construction activities the FT clerk of works also undertook a range of site inspection and validation works at key stages of construction. These included:

• Inspection and verification of formation level for founded road construction and supervision of found and floating road construction.
• Inspection and sign off as Designers Representative of turbine foundation base formations
• Monitoring of peat deposits across the development site for instability issues during construction and the completion of peat stability assessments prior to commencement of rock breaking or blasting activities in peat areas.
• Detailed slope stability assessments at peat deposition areas and associated retaining structures.