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Culvert void fill – Derby substation, Sowter Road

Challenge

Voids had developed around a culvert structure at an operational substation, creating stability risks and requiring remediation without disrupting critical infrastructure.

Solution

Geobear delivered precision geopolymer injection to fill voids, stabilise surrounding ground and restore structural support with minimal excavation or operational impact.

Operational substation environment

Works delivered within live infrastructure

Culvert void filling

Targeted stabilisation beneath structure

Minimal excavation required

Small‑diameter injection methodology

Background

Voiding had developed around a culvert structure within the grounds of a substation at Sowter Road, Derby. Loss of ground support posed a potential risk to structural integrity and long‑term asset performance.

Given the operational sensitivity of the site, any remediation works needed to be delivered safely, efficiently and without interrupting substation activities.

Challenge

Traditional excavation and backfilling would have required significant plant access and potential service disruption.

Working within a constrained, live environment demanded a low‑impact solution capable of accurately targeting voided areas while maintaining strict safety controls.

Solutions

Geobear implemented a controlled geopolymer injection programme to address the identified voids.

Small‑diameter injection tubes were installed through the surface into the affected zones. The two‑component geopolymer was injected as a liquid, expanding on contact to fill voids, bind loose material and increase ground stiffness.

Injection volumes and pressures were carefully monitored to ensure complete void filling while protecting the culvert structure and surrounding assets. The compact equipment footprint enabled efficient delivery within the restricted site environment.

Results

Voids around the culvert were filled and ground stability restored without extensive excavation or operational shutdown.

The substation remained fully operational throughout, with the intervention providing a durable, low‑disruption solution aligned to long‑term asset resilience.

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