A list of countries for principle rock

engineering projects includes:

# United Kingdom: Rock structure
assessment for A82 Loch Lomond Road
Cutting, M1-M62 Motorway Interchange, Hinkley Point C Nuclear
Power Station foundation investigation,
M4-Bryn Glas By-Pass Road Cutting,
Plymouth Tank Farm Inspections
# Egypt: Suez Rock armour quarry design
# United Arab Emirates: Fujairah Rock
armour quarry design
# Australia: Port Hedland Harbour Rock
Dredging Investigations.
# Mauritius: Assessment of Rock Slopes
and tunnels for Port Louis Ring Road

Rock Engineering for

Foundations, Slopes
and Tunnels

# Pakistan: Swabi Scarp Water Supply

Project (10km of new and refurbished)
rock tunnels), Indus Highway Project,
Bridge Foundation Report
# India: Bombay Sewerage Project (twin
three kilometre marine outfall tunnels
and two IPS 35m diameter, 45m deep
rock shafts)
# Malaysia: Bakun Dam Access Road
slope design advice (including 80m high
rock cutting reinforcement design)
# Hong Kong: Risk analysis and slope
protection design for Ting Kau rock
slopes on Tuen Mun Highway.
# Iran: Kerman Water Supply, technical
assessment studies for dam and 64km
tunnel construction.

Antonio Associates
4 Berrow Road Burnham-on-Sea Somerset TA8 2ET United Kingdom
telephone: +44 (0)1278 764000 / 786787
facsimile: +44 (0)1278 764004 / 795577
e-mail: edward.antonio@ukonline.co.uk

Rock mechanics has been a major aspect of work

for Antonio Associates for many years and major
projects have been completed in all parts of the
world.
Rock engineering projects for highway cuttings,
foundations and underground structures and the
excavation of rock or the design of permanent
structures in rock requires a thorough
understanding of:
# all rock types and full rock structure,
# in-situ stress history and induced
changes,
# rock material strength and joint strength,
# optimum and effective reinforcement,
# the effects of water, and,
# an understanding of how these
measurements are applied to the large
scale engineering project.

espite the fact that many rock materials

are stronger than the concrete of most
structures, engineering projects in rock
require thorough consideration. Only in very
particular circumstances can a rock mass be
analysed in a similar way to soil. When deep
underground or when the size of discontinuities,
faults and large joints in most rock masses are of
a similar scale to the engineering design, is when
other design methods can be used which follow
the principles of rock mechanics.

Registered in England number 3537680

Antonio Associates has provided expert support

to projects for the design of rock foundations,
rock cuttings, water supply tunnels, rail and road
tunnels, quarries and rock-filled embankments.

Rock structure is assessed with controlled

sampling techniques using scanline surveys and
stereographic projection methods may be used
for presentation and as design tools.
Surface or underground design must reflect the
interplay of rock strength and rock structure and
often a statistical approach is used to provide
working designs.
Obtaining some knowledge of in-situ stress is
often a greater concern than rock strength for
underground excavations. Weak layers or weak
joints may fail and cause local deformation of
good quality rock in other areas of the opening.

Using field observations, field testing, simple or

in some cases highly sophisticated laboratory
testing techniques, the basic relationships
between rock mass and rock material strength can
be assessed and utilised in the design.

Rock engineering projects

require a thorough
understanding of the interplay of
mass and material properties.

document file name H:\AntonioAssociates\Brochure SpArea 99.wpd . document dated: 1998-09-14

Rock Foundations, Slopes and Tunnels

Typically, on large projects,

geological site surveys,
including field mapping and
coring is required to provide
basic field data for initial
design.

A list of countries for foundations and

retaining structures projects includes:
#

United Kingdom: M1-M62 Motor

way Interchange, Hinkley Point
C Nuclear Power Station
foundation investigation and
foundation design, M4-Bryn Glas
By-Pass, A40 Oxford By-Pass, A36
Salisbury By-Pass, Shrewsbury ByPass, Royal Portbury Docks Quay
Walls and Coal Store, Fawley
Power Station, Southport Waste
Treatment Works, Portishead
Power Station Redevelopment,
Plymouth Shell Oil Store.

Sierra Leone: Beach Hotel

Foundation Design

Pakistan: Indus Highway Project,

Bridge Foundation Report

India: Bombay Sewerage project

(two 3km marine outfall tunnels
and twin IPS 45m rock shafts)

Hong Kong: Risk analysis and

slope protection design for Ting
Kau rock slopes on Tuen Mun
Highway.)

Foundations and
Retaining Structures
All structures, large and small, require adequate
foundations. For structures placed on soil or rock
the foundation materials must be assessed in
terms of:
#
#

Antonio Associates
4 Berrow Road Burnham-on-Sea Somerset TA8 2ET United Kingdom
telephone: +44 (0)1278 764000 / 786787
facsimile: +44 (0)1278 764004 / 795577
e-mail: edward.antonio@ukonline.co.uk

#
#

Large foundation loads must be distributed

throughout the foundation so as to minimise total
and differential settlements and maintain an
adequate factor of safety over failure.

H
Registered in England number 3537680

material type and strength,

soil consolidation characteristics
and rock material and joint
compressibility,
foundation load distribution and
active and passive load estimates,
the effects of water, and,
an understanding of how these
measurements are applied to the
scale of the engineering project.

eavy foundations for power stations,

bridges and retaining structures have been
investigated and designed by Antonio
Associates. Foundation materials have ranged
from weak and compressible alluvial soils
through tropical residual soils and soft rocks such
as chalk, to hard rocks with compressible joint
sets.

As the site topography changes, so may the

geology, water levels and ground structure.
Adjacent foundations may requires different
solutions and interactions can arise.

Coastal defenses, canals and water crossings

require repair and upgrading, frequently with
sheet piling.

On strong rock, the critical factor is often rock

structure. Joints, particularly when weathered,
give rise to compressible layers which cause
settlement problems due to the very high loads
generated by bridge
abutments and other
large structures.

document file name H:\AntonioAssociates\Brochure SpArea 99.wpd . document dated: 1998-09-14

A thorough understanding of
ground conditions and structure
loading is developed and
applied to each site.

Foundations and Retaining Structures

Highways projects generally bring a series of

foundation problems not only for the highway
construction itself but also for the foundations of
bridges and embankments.

A list of countries for the principle projects

for embankment and slopes includes:
#

United Kingdom: M1-M62

Motorway Interchange,, A40
Oxford By-Pass, A36 Salisbury ByPass, Shrewsbury By-Pass, Royal
Portbury Docks Quay Walls and
Coal Store, Portishead Power
Station Redevelopment, Plymouth
Shell Oil Store, Greenways Waste
Management Consultancy

Denmark: Dyke Investigation

Malaysia: Bakun Dam Access Road

rock and soil slope design reviews

Pakistan: Swabi Scarp access road

rock slopes.

Hong Kong: Ting Kau rock slopes

Embankments and
Slopes
Vertical alignment for highways, railways and
water systems inevitably require cuttings and
embankment structures to bring the natural
topography onto an acceptable design grade.
Embankments and excavations are also required
for quarry excavations and containment sites as in
landfill.

An embankment design must address:

Antonio Associates

4 Berrow Road Burnham-on-Sea Somerset TA8 2ET United Kingdom

telephone: +44 (0)1278 764000 / 786787
facsimile: +44 (0)1278 764004 / 795577
e-mail: edward.antonio@ukonline.co.uk

#
For cuttings, the natural geological profile must
be excavated to a safe angle. Whether in soil or
rock, an engineering geological assessment of the
natural ground must be made which demands an
understanding of:
#

#
#
#

Registered in England number 3537680

the geological history and the local

processes of weathering and
erosion,
the local hydrological regime,
soil moisture state and strength,
safe slope angles for construction.

For embankments, the behavior of the natural

materials must be understood at the time of
placement and compaction, taking into account
the changes that may occur to source materials
after excavation. The foundations of the
embankment are also a consideration.

the in-situ and

as-placed
character of the
material to be
used for
construction,
character of
foundation
materials,
the local
hydrological
regime,
strength and
consolidation
characteristics of
filling and
foundation soils,
safe slope angles
for construction.

reating a cutting or embankment imposes

changes to the original site-and most
importantly to the local in-situ stress and
hydrological regime.
Embankments and cuttings have been
investigated and designed by Antonio Associates
for highway, landfill and water supply projects.
Cuttings in soil, in tropical residual soils, in fresh
and weathered rock masses, have been designed,
as well as embankments from soil, chalk, strong
rock on competent and weak ground and with
impermeable materials for landfill linings.

CONSOLIDATED UNDRAINED TXL TEST RESULTS

The design of slopes and

embankments is controlled by
the materials available to build
them-there is usually no choice
as to which material must be
used for construction ...

"UNDISTURBED" CHALK
400

350

300
250

200

hence, an inevitable compromise must be made

between the uniformity or reliability of those
materials and the contractors ability to build.

150
100

50

IV ABOVE F/P
c'=30KPa; PHI=42E

200

400

600

p'= (s1'+s3')/2 (KPa)

IV BELOW F/P
IV BELOW CWF
c'=100KPa; PHI=42E
c'=1KPa; PHI=37E

Special control is required for

retaining structures such as dams
or landfill liners. Permeability of
the material is another attribute
to be considered
during placement and
compaction.

CHALK BEDROCK (SHORT TERM)

C = 100 KPa; PHI = 42.0 DEG
5

Antonio Associates can

investigate, plan and design
embankments and cuttings in
soil or rock.

0
0

8
1:1.5
1.5:1

12
SLOPE HEIGHT
1:1.25
2:1

16

20

24

1:1
4:1

In difficult ground (weak rock or particularly

weathered slopes) or on poor foundation soils, a
good understanding of the geological processes
enables a sensible line to be drawn about the
theoretical slope angle and the ease of build and
maintenance.
document file name H:\AntonioAssociates\Brochure SpArea 99.wpd . document dated: 1998-09-14

Embankments and Slopes

A list of countries for the principle projects

for Highways and Construction Materials
includes:

#
#

United Kingdom: Dartford and

Ramsgate Ferry Terminals, M1 and
M62 motorway interchange
Geotechnical Investigations and
Foundations Report, Salisbury A36
Bypass and Structure Foundation
Design, Oxford A40 By Pass
Geotechnical Investigations, M4Bryn Glas Relief Road Scheme
Geotechnical Investigations, North
Devon Link Road (IIB)
Geotechnical Investigations.
India: Reconstruction and Four
Laning of National Highway No.2 ,
Bihar Plateau Development
Project.

Hong Kong: Ting Kau Bridge

Project
Pakistan: Indus Highway Project

Botswana: Jwaneng to Sekoma &

Mogishane to Kanye Road Projects.

Abu Dhabi: Baniyas Sector Roads

Project.

Bangladesh: Daulatida to Kushtia

Road Improvement Project.

Nepal: Naubise to Mugling Road

re-construction Project.

Saudi Arabia: Taif Airfield Facilities

Project.

Highways and
Construction Materials

Highway construction is
a problem of logistics.
The earthwork materials
and aggregates for the
highway construction
will often be taken en
route.

Antonio Associates
4 Berrow Road Burnham-on-Sea Somerset TA8 2ET United Kingdom
telephone: +44 (0)1278 764000 / 786787
facsimile: +44 (0)1278 764004 / 795577
e-mail: edward.antonio@ukonline.co.uk

It is essential that proper control procedures are

established, particularly in undeveloped
countries. As part of a program of materials
control the following aspects must be satisfied:
#
#
#
#

Registered in England number 3537680

mapping and location of quarries

and borrow areas,
negotiation of extraction rights,
physical investigation of quality
and extent of the source deposit,
field and laboratory testing

fter an evaluation of the available

earthworks and aggregate materials,
Antonio Associates can design or review
the designs of the embankments and pavements.
Varying the thickness of the embankment and
pavements layers, with consideration given to the
improvement of these materials by physical or
chemical stabilisation methods.

natural and synthetic rubber for

waterproofing, bearings and
gaskets.
other manufactured products for
general construction use including:
lime, paints, non-ferrous metals,
glass, plastics, adhesives, fabrics
(geo-textiles) road furniture,
components of mechanical and
electrical items.

In many countries, the quality of most

construction materials are guaranteed by the
manufacturer or supplier; however inspection,
vetting of their quality systems and monitoring
these suppliers are all part of Antonio Associates
services.
Antonio Associates has extensive experience in
the management of the materials aspects of
feasibility studies and construction projects which
have been located both in congested urban areas
and remote rural environments.
#
Services include:
#
#
Antonio Associates recognises the need to control
the materials used in various facets of all
construction projects:
#

#
#
#
#
#

#
#

earthwork materials: soil, rock and

manmade; processed or
unprocessed for use as filter media,
embankments, and backfill to
structures.
aggregates: natural, manmade,
crushed and uncrushed for use in
unbound and bound pavement
layers, filter media, concretes and
asphalt.
cement for use in mortars,
concretes, and stabilisation.
water and additives principally for
use in mortars and concretes.
bricks and tiles for use in buildings
and paving.
steel: plate, reinforcing elements,
cable and wires for structures.
bitumen, asphalt and tars for
bituminous and asphaltic
pavement layers, tack coats,
stabilisation, and waterproofing.
stone for masonry and gabions.
timber for temporary works and
structures.

#
#

#
#

locating sources of all construction

materials, relevant inspection and
the arrangement of necessary
independent testing.
earthworks and pavement design.
establishment of the appropriate
Quality systems for the size and
nature of the Project.
establishing on-site laboratories.
training of local personnel.

document file name H:\AntonioAssociates\Brochure SpArea 99.wpd . document dated: 1998-09-14

design of asphalt, batched products

and concrete mixes.
supervision of all on-site testing
both in the field and in the
laboratory.
analysis and proposing solutions to
difficult or unforeseen ground
conditions.

Highways and Construction Materials

A list of projects for Geotechnical

Investigations includes:
#

United Kingdom: M1 and M62

Motor way Interchange SI and
Foundations Report, Royal
Portbury Docks SI and Foundations
Report, Salisbury A36 Bypass SI
and Structure Foundation Design,
Plymouth Shell Oil Refinery,
Oxford A40 By Pass Geotechnical
Investigations, M4-Bryn Glas Relief
Road Scheme Geotechnical
Investigations, Hinkley Point 'C'
Nuclear Power Station Site
Investigations and Foundation
Design, North Devon Link Road
(IIB) SI, Fawley B Power Station
Marine Hydrographic and
Geophysical Surveys, Fawley B
Power Station Offshore Site
Investigation, Mablethorpe Pipe
Trench Marine Geotechnical
Investigations.

#
#
#

Australia: North West Shelf Project

Geophysical and Marine
Geotechnical Investigations, Port
Headland Harbour Extension
Geophysical and Marine
Geotechnical Investigations
Tunisia Zarzis Harbour Extension
Development Marine Geotechnical
Investigations
Bahrain Bahrain Causeway Marine
Geotechnical Investigations
Lebanon Beirut Harbour
Deepening Dredging Report
Nigeria Lagos Water Supply Study,
Well Testing and Hydrological
Investigations
Yemen: Wadi Rasyan Well Testing
and Hydrological Investigations.

Antonio Associates
4 Berrow Road Burnham-on-Sea Somerset TA8 2ET United Kingdom
telephone: +44 (0)1278 764000 / 786787
facsimile: +44 (0)1278 764004 / 795577
e-mail: edward.antonio@ukonline.co.uk

Registered in England number 3537680

Land and Marine

Geotechnical
Investigations
Ground investigation projects are required to
provide detailed and quantitative information.
Investigations must be specifically designed for
the project and aim to provide the necessary
information for design both efficiently and with
an appropriate precision. Special field and
laboratory testing may be required.
Investigations may require:
#
#

#
#
#

accurate borehole logging to

international standards,
in situ testing of soil and rocks
(CPT, PMT, PBT, density probe and
geophysical well-logging),
rock and soil laboratory testing,
foundation design,
interpretative and or factual and
reporting.

he design and control of large scale

investigations are a significant area of
experience. Projects completed include on
shore sites (for highways, bridges and power
stations) and offshore (for dredging, harbours,
quay walls, pipelines, offloading facilities).
These systems include ship, seabed and
jack-up-based systems for rotary drilling,
sampling, in situ testing, vibrocore and for
hydrographic and geophysical surveys.

Other specialist areas include investigation

contracts and claims, hydrological and well
pumping studies, industrial site redevelopment
and waste management projects for geotechnical
aspects of fill liner design.

Specifying large in-situ tests such as plate

bearing tests, cone penetration tests and
geophysical well-logging tools as well as
seismic, electrical and nuclear, land and
marine geophysical tools.

Designing ground investigations demands an

understanding of the parameters that are required,
how to measure them and the influence of
standard measurement techniques on the values
themselves.

Flexibility is important. Both

ideas and plans change during
the investigation phases and
these options must always be
considered during initial
planning.

The site conditions must be understood so as to

plan access and progress. In marine works,
seabed conditions, tides, water depths and
currents must be taken into account for the
periods of working.

Antonio Associates can design and

plan investigations in any region be
that remote desert or over water.

Of particular importance is our

ability to organize rapid
investigations for specific problems
found during construction.

document file name H:\AntonioAssociates\Brochure SpArea 99.wpd . document dated: 1998-09-14

Land and Marine Geotechnical Investigations

We have long experience with specialist tools

for sampling sensitive soils, weak rocks.