Ground conditions across Ireland continue to present complex challenges for engineers, particularly where settlement, voiding, or loss of bearing capacity impacts the performance of buildings and infrastructure.
To support engineers in addressing these issues, a CPD webinar on April 23 will introduce geopolymer injection as a modern, low-disruption ground improvement solution – combining engineering theory with practical, real-world application.
Register here: or at https://geobear.clickmeeting.com/geobear-geopolymer-solutions-in-ireland/register
Advancing ground improvement in Ireland
Ground behaviour plays a critical role in the performance and longevity of assets across Ireland’s built environment. From soft alluvial deposits to shrink-swell clays, variable soil conditions can lead to differential settlement, structural damage, and reduced serviceability.
Traditional remediation methods – such as mass concrete underpinning, piling, or reconstruction – are effective but often require extensive excavation, long programme durations, and significant material use. These factors can make them less suitable for constrained sites or operational environments.
As a result, engineers are increasingly adopting alternative techniques that deliver performance with reduced disruption and improved efficiency.
Geopolymer injection: Principles and performance
Geopolymer injection is a controlled ground improvement method involving the introduction of expanding resin materials into the subsurface through small-diameter injection points.
Once injected, the material expands and interacts with the surrounding soils to:
- Increase stiffness and density;
- Improve load-bearing capacity;
- Fill voids and stabilise weak zones;
- Enable controlled re-levelling where required.
The process is monitored in real time, allowing engineers to observe structural response and ensure precise, targeted treatment without large-scale excavation.
Applications across sectors
Geopolymer injection is used across a wide range of sectors in Ireland and the UK.
Infrastructure: Rapid treatment within short possession windows, stabilisation of embankments, void filling, and re-levelling of slabs without reconstruction – ideal for live operational assets.
Buildings: Non-invasive ground improvement beneath shallow foundations, enabling repairs with minimal disruption to occupants and operations.
Residential: A practical solution for subsidence, often completed within one to two days, without excavation or the need for occupants to vacate – offering a cost-effective alternative to underpinning.
Sustainability and efficiency
Compared with traditional excavation and concrete-based solutions, geopolymer injection can significantly reduce environmental impact by minimising material use, transport, and programme duration. This contributes to lower carbon emissions while maintaining engineering performance.
Join the CPD webinar
'Introduction to Geopolymer Injection for Fast, Minimal Disruptive Ground Stabilisation in Ireland'.
Date: April 23 | Time: 12pm
This CPD webinar will provide a practical introduction to the engineering principles behind geopolymer injection, including how the material enhances soil stiffness, increases bearing capacity, and controls settlement.
Drawing on project experience from across Ireland and the UK, the session will demonstrate how these techniques can be deployed rapidly, with minimal excavation, to extend asset life and improve resilience.
Attendees qualify for one CPD hour and will receive a certificate.
Register https://geobear.clickmeeting.com/geobear-geopolymer-solutions-in-ireland/register
Presenters: Richard Dee (Ireland director) and Andy Lee (VP engineering)