WTB Geotechnics helps Building Schools For The Future projects

WTB Geotechnics has been supplying geotechnical and sustainable drainage systems to a number of Building Schools For the Future (BSF) projects over recent months. With a nationwide coverage and stock holding WTB Geotechnics is an ideal partner for the school re-building and re-modelling projects driven forward by BSF.

BSF provides the government with a new approach to capital investment for building works and improvements in schools, helping to fulfil their educational reform agenda. Innovation in national delivery partnerships and value engineered solutions are intrinsic in delivering the highest standard of school improvements.

Reducing surface water run-off in schools

Schools have turned to WTB Geotechnics for help in reducing surface water run-off in car parking areas, vehicle access and pedestrian routes within school grounds. Popular products have included Integra and Agrablock. The two products offer a permeable surface via either grass reinforcement or gravel retention for trafficking of pedestrians through to heavy goods vehicles such as school buses and fire engines. Typically an emergency access route requires a highway construction topped with asphalt, whereas if you require a stone sub base with Integra or Agrablock this can be topped off with a grass or gravel surface enabling surface water to drain away naturally and offering a more natural surface.

Sustainable Drainage Systems for sustainable schools of the future

BSF projects have sought to reduce surface water run-off in conjunction with infiltration and attenuation tanks where possible, allowing surface water to drain (infiltration) into the ground or in other instances store water in attenuation tanks in times of heavy rainfall before discharging in the mains drainage.

WTB Geotechnics has supplied a number of sustainable drainage systems including Formpave Aquaflow systems. The Formpave system consists of permeable pavers and layers of aggregate with high void ratio for either attenuation or infiltration applications. Storage can be increased through the use of plastic crates such as Stormcell and Stormbloc. We are also now seeing an increase in green roofs being used not just to help insulate roofs but to reduce surface water run off and help reduce the urban heat island affect.

The leading supplier of sustainable building materials

WTB Geotechnics' partner, Burdens Environmental provide an extensive range of sustainable building materials. For more information visit www.burdensenvironmental.com

Design suggestions

The team at WTB Geotechnics would be delighted to discuss sustainable drainage design suggestions for your project, please contact us to discuss your requirements. CPD presentations are also available on request.