home > research > research contracts > research contract summaries
If you are interested in becoming a research contractor (*only available where marked with an asterisk), steering group member or contributing to a project please email us by clicking on the appropriate link.
Update of CIRIA environmental good practice
on site guidance (2560)
CIRIA is currently looking to identify project partners, funders and potential
research contractors for a project to update the guidance to continue to provide
up-to-date, practical guidance on how to most effectively manage environmental
issues that are relevant to work undertaken on site. Contact CIRIA for further
information on the project, to discuss involvement or to express interest
in becoming the research contractor.
SD:SPUR Assessment and comparison of options for
the management of decommissioning wastes (2496)
The objective of the project is to carry out a generic assessment and comparison
of options for the management of radiologically clean and slightly radioactive
solid decommissioning wastes.
Culvert design and operation guide (2460)
This project will produce an updated version of the 1997 CIRIA Culvert design
manual (R168), with a significant body of new material to account for changes
in drivers, policy, design and management practices since the time of the
previous publication. The new guide will include an overview of the drainage
system, and will describe the environmental and asset management contexts
of which culverts are a part. It will provide users with a comprehensive and
detailed guide on the design, assessment and operation management process
for culverts across the full range of applications. Key aspects of the original
manual will be retained and enhanced by reference to recent research and up-to-date
knowledge, particularly regarding best practices in the management, maintenance
and rehabilitation of culverts
Building site planning and preparation –
a comparative study (2374)
In order to maintain economic growth and protect the environment in lowland
urbanised areas a period of transition is needed to more sustainable construction
techniques starting with building site planning and preparation. This study
will investigate the current UK regulation, legislation and best practice
guidance in the UK and compare this to on site data from case study sites
in the UK. This will then be compared to studies from the Netherlands and
Australia and a set of observations and recommendations will be made.
Sustainable Drainage Systems –
guidance for planners (2343)
Regulation and policy (e.g. PPS25 development and flood risk) increasingly
require local authority planners to implement sustainable drainage systems
(SUDS). This document will compliment recent SUDS guidance to produce a non-technical
guidance document for spatial planners, and urban designers primarily at local
authorities. It will aim to provide clarity on SUDS principles to assist the
inclusion of sustainable drainage in the planning process and ensure successful
and appropriate SUDS are specified by planners and implemented by developers.
Cliff management manual (2331)
This project will produce a Cliff management manual that complements
existing guidance on beach management and managed realignment by providing
a compendium of information on the drivers, processes and mechanisms that
can contribute to improved management of cliffs. The project will provide
a single point of reference for cliff management techniques including risk
assessment and the varying approaches to the management of cliffs and their
managed retreat.
Enhancement of biodiversity within large civil
infrastructure projects (2329)*
This project will produce an easy-to-use guide on the techniques that support
the enhancement and conservation of biological diversity within large civil
infrastructure projects. The project will draw together up-to-date information
and knowledge, good practice and experience on the design and management of
habitat enhancement and restoration in the UK to provide users with a comprehensive
and detailed guide. The guide will include case studies covering a range of
infrastructure types and will outline applicable tools which will support
large infrastructure operators and developers manage biodiversity. The guide
will look beyond regulatory requirements and explore opportunities for organisations
to extend their corporate business performance.
Web-based training on contaminated land (2290)
This project will provide web-based training material on assessment and management
of risk associated with contaminated land. The work will generate a flexible,
inexpensive and easily accessible vehicle to deliver training for contaminated
land professionals with tight time and cost constraints.
The training course will be developed as a series of web-based pages on CIRIA’s
contaminated land website.
Courses will be structured so that participants are able to gain support from
an online tutor and from each other via activities that will be designed specifically
to test learning and encourage participants to share workplace experiences.
Self-assessment quizzes will also be available. The course material will be
updated at regular intervals.
Low Carbon Technologies - the opportunities for
construction professionals (2107)