The Project Challenge
Existing infrastructure brings a different kind of foundation challenge.
Upgrade and modification work can begin with incomplete information about foundations below ground. Existing drawings, records and previous works may not fully describe the condition or arrangement found on site, so the existing foundation and surrounding ground may need to be investigated before engineering decisions are made.
The approach must consider access, buried services, excavation requirements, temporary works, what can safely be exposed or tested, and how the area will be reinstated once investigation or construction activities are complete.
What Needs to Be Understood
Reliable upgrade decisions depend on understanding what is already there.
Existing asset work often relies on combining available records with site investigation and practical construction constraints before an engineering approach is developed.
Existing Foundation Information
Available drawings, records, previous modifications and visible site conditions help establish what is known about the existing foundation and where further investigation may be required.
Ground, Services & Access
Ground conditions, buried services, access routes, working space and the surrounding infrastructure can influence how investigation or construction activities are planned.
Investigation Requirements
The extent of excavation, foundation exposure, measurement, sampling or testing needs to be defined so that useful engineering information can be obtained safely and efficiently.
Existing Interfaces & Reinstatement
The existing structure, earthing, foundation interfaces, temporary works and reinstatement requirements need to remain coordinated throughout the work.
Our Support
Engineering support from investigation through reinstatement.
Existing Asset Review
Review available drawings, records, site information and visible conditions to identify information gaps and define where further investigation may be required.
Investigation & Site Control
Support setting out, service checks and controlled foundation exposure, together with measurements, sampling or testing and temporary works interfaces where required.
Upgrade & Modification Support
Use investigation findings to support foundation assessment, modification or remedial approaches, coordinating the existing structure, earthing and construction interfaces.
Verification, Reinstatement & Handover
Support inspection and survey records through backfilling, reinstatement and the compilation of quality, as-built and close-out information.
Working With Existing Foundations
Existing foundations need to be understood before they can be modified.
Work around existing transmission assets may require controlled investigation before upgrade or remedial decisions can be made. Existing conditions, services, excavation requirements, temporary works and reinstatement all need to be considered as part of the engineering approach.
Existing information & investigation scope
Available drawings, records and visible site conditions help define what is already known and where intrusive investigation may be needed to confirm the existing foundation arrangement.
Services, permits & safe access
Buried services, permits, access arrangements and working areas need to be established before excavation or intrusive work begins.
Controlled excavation & temporary works
Excavation around an existing foundation needs to consider ground stability, safe access and temporary works so that the required area can be exposed without introducing unnecessary risk.
Exposure, measurement & testing
Foundation dimensions, visible condition and other required information can be recorded through controlled exposure, measurement, sampling or testing where required by the investigation scope.
Existing interfaces & engineering decisions
Investigation findings need to be considered alongside the existing structure, earthing and other interfaces when developing modification, repair or upgrade approaches.
Reinstatement, verification & records
Following investigation or construction activities, the work area may require repair, backfilling and reinstatement together with inspection, survey and quality records for project close-out.
Typical Project Journey
From existing information to verified conditions and project close-out.
Existing Information Review
Review available drawings, records, previous modifications, survey information and known site constraints.
Investigation Planning
Define the investigation scope, access requirements, excavation approach, temporary works and any measurement, sampling or testing required.
Site Readiness & Service Checks
Confirm setting out, work areas, buried services, permits and other pre-investigation controls before intrusive activities begin.
Foundation Exposure & Investigation
Expose the required areas of the existing foundation and record dimensions, visible condition and other information required by the investigation scope.
Engineering Assessment & Upgrade Support
Use the investigation findings to support engineering assessment and the development of appropriate repair, modification or upgrade requirements.
Reinstatement & Close-Out
Complete required repairs or making-good, backfilling and reinstatement, and compile inspection, survey, quality and close-out records.
Project Outputs
Clear project information from investigation through close-out.
Depending on the agreed scope, AI Engineering can provide investigation, engineering and construction information that records existing conditions, supports upgrade decisions and maintains traceability through reinstatement and handover.
Outputs are agreed for each project and provided where relevant to the project scope.