31 Mar 2008
Risk Management of Unexploded Ordnance
Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) can be a serious hazard to the redevelopment of sites that have a history of defence use and to sites located within the major urban areas targeted during WWII.
According to British sources the Lüftwaffe dropped approximately 250,000 high explosive (HE) bombs on the UK between 1939 and 1945. Around 25,000 failed to function and were dealt with by the Bomb Disposal Units. A largely unknown number of unexploded bombs (UXBs) remain undiscovered.
Other sites may be contaminated by UXO due to former use as firing ranges, military camps or munitions manufacturing. Even after 50 years or more UXO can retain its explosive properties.
German air-dropped UXBs are frequently encountered when the ground is disturbed during engineering works such as mineral extraction, river dredging and, in particular, construction.
The discovery of UXO usually leads to an interruption in site work and, in may cases, activities in adjacent properties. More critically, the device or one of its components could be initiated and fully or partially function resulting in an explosion.
BAE Systems Environmental offers a series of services to manage and mitigate UXO risks on all types of sites.
BAE Systems, the premier global defence and aerospace company, has specialist knowledge of the risks posed by UXO to construction and other related activities. Using our own in-house explosives and munitions experts and extensive reference data we implement our award winning UXO Risk Management process.
Our Quantitative Risk Assessment for German Air Dropped Ordnance provides the first step in assessing the risk. And uses statistical analysis of UXO data from our extensive database for the whole of the UK. Our method represents a significant innovation in the field of UXO risk assessment and provides consistent and logical findings that can be compared to other project risks.
For sites with a significant UXO risk it is often advisable to conduct geophysical investigations prior to further intrusive works or redevelopment. Working with Pelorus Surveys and Geocone we can offer the full range of services necessary to conduct surface, marine or downhole geophysical surveys to locate potential UXO.
Our innovative technologies and processes allow for conducting downhole surveys to depths of 30m both on land and over water. Our solutions are tailored to be minimally disruptive and cost effective with on site processing and fast feedback of results.
In addition to direct UXO target detection, related features such as buried trenches and pits, buried foundations, sheet piles, utilities and other ground conditions can be mapped.
We can also conduct intrusive investigations to identify target items of UXO for removal and will manage the removal of such items in liaison with the regulatory authorities.
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