Sandhurst Military Estate — Bridge 16 & Culvert 1

The solution

At Bridge 16, localised corrosion was cleaned back to sound test surfaces before ultrasonic thickness measurements were taken across a predefined inspection grid extending approximately 0.5m above and below the waterline — where deterioration is typically most severe. Three readings were recorded at each location, referenced to individual sheet piles and supported by a comprehensive photographic record, with the Frodingham 1N sections enabling measured thicknesses to be compared against the original nominal values.

At Culvert 1, a detailed topographic survey captured ground levels, drainage features, culvert structures and surface assets, complemented by underground utility mapping using electromagnetic locating techniques and ground-penetrating radar. Working within a live military estate, every stage was planned and coordinated with the Estate Management team to keep disruption to estate operations to a minimum.

The outcome

The integrated programme delivered a complete engineering dataset supporting both structural assessment and drainage design. The Bridge 16 inspection provides a valuable baseline for future structural monitoring and maintenance planning, while the Culvert 1 survey gives the design team the confidence to progress estate-wide drainage improvements — with every discipline delivered through a single commission and referenced to a common coordinated survey framework.