Noise from road traffic, railways, and industrial machinery can have a negative impact on human health, communication and productivity. In order to improve acoustic ambiance, regulating bodies have reinforced certain rules and regulations. These rules are now part of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of all major infrastructure projects.Octopus has experienced specialists dedicated to comply with EIA and offer the expertise needed to address all these challenges. Our acoustic services include planning advice and surveys for building acoustics, environmental noise and vibration, and acoustic performance. Our project experience covers a wide range of acoustic environments, from public spaces such as market squares and parks, the environment along roads and railways, to commercial spaces including offices, hotels, and shopping centers.
Effective noise surveys, analysis, and protection
We use sophisticated computer programmes and sound measuring equipment to perform noise calculations. Our findings are used to help our customers identify the optimal solutions for proper noise protection, such as noise barriers, low noise pavement, and extra façade insulation on buildings.
We provide the facts you need to make your decisions and plan for the future and enable you to have a dialogue with decisions makers, authorities, and the public. By using state-of-the-art computer models according to internationally recognized standards, we provide noise maps showing the noise impact levels at the present and future situations compared with noise limits. The calculations used for noise mapping are based on a combination of information collected in cooperation with you and the application of our know-how.
By utilizing a 3D model along with the calculations, we have the ability to not only see but also listen to a model. This can be used to establish external environmental noise when planning a new urban area, and room acoustics when designing a lecture hall or conference center.
Creative and innovative approach:
Our expertise enables us to provide a unique range of acoustic services covering all aspects of planning advice, environmental noise and vibration, surveying and acoustic performance and building acoustics.
Our services:
The Octopus Acoustics network comprises specialists on all issues related to environmental noise (incl. industry, road, traffic, rail, air, offshore) and building acoustics.
Octopus has extensive experience in the delivery of airport infrastructure encompassing more than 200 completed projects in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, India, and Australasia. Our aviation strategists have advised government bodies and regulators around the world on safety, air traffic management and optimization of airspace design.We are known for producing innovative airfield designs that deliver long-term performance and safety at a competitive cost. Our solutions often combine a minimized and highly targeted airside engineering programme with a rigorous monitoring system to ensure consistent performance over time. This approach ensures solutions are never over-engineered, keeping materials use and capital cost (CAPEX) to a minimum.
Multidisciplinary aviation and airport:
The combination of our detailed technical knowledge and the insight gained through experience means we are ideally placed to manage all aspects of an aviation project – providing our customers with fully integrated, complete solutions.
Our expertise includes:
Airline Master Planning
Octopus has carried out numerous master plans for airports around.
A professional master plan includes in general:
The development of a professional master plan requires a multidisciplinary team of airport planners, designers, architects, engineers, environmental scientists, and economists – all with in-depth knowledge of the airport and aviation sector.
Furthermore, it is important that the Master Plan is fully integrated with the strategic plan and the business plan for the airport in question.
Finally, it is essential that the master plan is developed in full compliance with international ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) standards, as well as in accordance with national standards and practices.
Helicopter landing:
Over the years Octopus has carried out work on the design and operational guidelines for a range of helicopter landing pads.Large hospitals are currently converting their emergency transport facilities to reflect the increased use of ambulance-helicopters. Octopus’s extensive knowledge of emergency readiness combined with our expertise in aviation operations puts us in a unique position to design helicopter landing pads for the specific purposes of the health sector.
Reducing climate impacts:
In the aviation industry real advances in sustainability must be made at both the micro- and macro- level. Lean engineering of aviation infrastructure is essential. Supporting coordinated industry-wide action to reduce climate impacts is equally important. Octopus’s aviation team is experienced at advising private developers, operators, government bodies, and regulators on strategic approaches to aviation development that foreground both efficiency and sustainability. We recently provided feasibility analysis and socio-economic studies for the Nordic Air Navigation Service providers on aspects of the proposed Single European Sky scheme. The purpose of the EU initiative is to rationalize flight patterns across Europe to improve flight efficiency and reduce C02 emissions.
Today’s society requires the creation of new bridges to ensure a better overall infrastructure, as well as the safeguarding of existing bridges. This is true for both urban and rural areas, and for roads, railways, and other transport modes incl. bicycles.Bridge engineering is one of Octopus’s strengths, where we offer unique services within the design, optimization, and asset management. Within all of these services, we prioritize the safe, easy transportation of people and goods. Drawing on our deep understanding of bridge lifecycles, we implement cost-effective solutions that reduce travel time and improve connections.
Our approach
Our approach ensures that we can provide all the design, engineering, environmental, sustainability, and project and cost management skills needed to deliver any project. Our reputation for imaginative design is based on the way our ideas translate to practical application. We are supported by a multidisciplinary group of consultants within the areas of environmental planning, landscape architecture, and transport and sustainability. This makes for a winning combination of experience and innovative thinking. Many of our bridges have become landmark structures.
Bridge consultancy
We provide consultancy services for all bridge types, from the smallest culverts, over pedestrian walkways, to the world’s largest bridges. Our specialists are experienced in urban analysis and planning requirements and skilled at working in historic townscapes and rural landscapes. We know how to improve connectivity, support sustainable transport initiatives, and create bridges sensitive to their settings.
Our consulting services cover the entire bridge lifecycle and include:
Our bridge team works closely with our transport and infrastructure teams to provide a fully integrated approach specific to each project. Our customers are typically bridge owners and contractors. We undertake extensive consultations with planning authorities, statutory bodies, and local interest groups to enable delivery of bridges that will secure regulatory approval, are safe, cost-effective and easy to construct.
Multidisciplinary bridge engineering
Over the past decades, bridge consultancy has become more multidisciplinary, and the breadth of Octopus’s services reflects this development. In addition to the traditional services outlined above (under bridge consultancy), Octopus offers a number of other related and integrated bridge consultancy services.
Our services:
All projects require a certain amount of supervision and quality control to ensure an optimal end result. Octopus is a leading provider of infrastructure engineering consulting for the construction phase, and we provide project and construction management services to civil engineering construction projects.We offer multi-disciplinary expertise within the following areas:
As a result of our involvement with large international infrastructure projects, we have extensive experience with managing the interaction between the many different parties with an interest in the projects. Stakeholders include other consultants, contractors, authorities, utility owners, interest groups, and local residents.
Knowledge:
We offer the skills and experience to meet all project phase requirements, no matter how varied or complex the project. With the help of our well-equipped IT toolbox, our skilled engineers are able to provide top-notch project and construction management.
Our services:
Proper ground engineering is a prerequisite for improving the performance of designed structures – including roads, railways, bridges, and tunnels – and can significantly reduce life-cycle costs by making use of the latest technology and methods.Octopus’s ground engineering comprises a comprehensive range of investigations and design services related to the subsurface. We have extensive knowledge in working in different countries, and we are able to handle any soil condition anywhere in the world providing the technology and methods needed.
Our services cover all project phases from site investigations, laboratory and in situ testing to advanced numerical modeling, project implementation, inspection, and supervision.
Geotechnics
Octopus’s services cover every aspect of geotechnics and foundation engineering, including:
Environmentally sustainable solutions:
We also work on research and development projects that focus on environmentally sustainable solutions. These include:
Our geotechnical design services combine technical skills, environmental considerations, and economy. We have extensive experience in the geotechnical aspects of remediation and new construction, both in national and in international projects.
In our planning, we make use of new materials and techniques. Our thorough research into geotechnical materials has secured us a pioneering role in geotechnical engineering.
Geophysical
Geophysics deals with the physical properties of the earth – and the atmosphere. Octopus’s geophysics services apply scientific analysis and measures to buildings, groundwater protection, and marine constructions.
Furthermore, we have extensive experience in the use of geophysical methods in geotechnical engineering as the main part of the pre-investigation for foundations, tunneling, and highways.
Using our expertise, we can carry out virtually any kind of geophysical investigation. In particular,
We use state-of-the-art equipment and perform advanced data analyses and processing to meet the highest standards. Our services are customized to each customer’s needs and are supported by our team to explore geologists, hydrogeologists, geophysicists.
Rock Engineering Services
Engineering geologists interpret observed and mapped geological data. They create conceptual models that illustrate the engineering-geological classification of each rock unit. Civil engineers then use this data to make crucial building decisions.
Our sourced engineering geologists have years of experience with this process. They understand the geological and non-geological factors that can influence rock slope stability. So even though the factors may vary considerably in a given areas
. Our rock engineering services include:
Asset Management is all about keeping roads, bridges, tunnels, ports, and other infrastructure in the best possible condition. It is essential to have a safe and reliable infrastructure system. Octopus is recognized worldwide for our ability to facilitate this at the lowest possible life cycle cost – in close cooperation with our customers.We have expertise in asset management for roads and bridges – and experts in all areas related to condition survey, rehabilitation and maintenance planning. We perform all the necessary assessments and work according to local geography and climate.
We know what it takes to keep roads, bridges, tunnels, port structures, and other civil works in top condition. All outdoor structures deteriorate due to shifting environmental and mechanical conditions, and from major events such as floods and earthquakes.
Octopus is continuously working on developing new financial models, survey technologies, and effective, long-lasting procedures and methods for repairs or strengthening of damaged structures. This includes procedures for maintenance and repairs complete- or partial replacement, stabilization of the deterioration condition, or a reduction of the current deterioration speed of the structure.
Inventories and measurements
We assess the local conditions, and we do what it takes to minimize deterioration. The critical construction parts can be monitored in order to collect the detailed knowledge about the part’s condition and deterioration process. This makes it possible to significantly reduce costs by conducting major repairs at the (financially) optimal time. We carry out inspections and maintenance activities using the right equipment – and draws on the resources of experts and laboratory facilities whenever necessary.
In order to plan for and execute optimal operation and maintenance for a structure, you need to know its condition. We carefully evaluate the condition through various examination activities, and by conducting routine and special inspections as needed. As a next step, we utilize equipment for the preparation and analysis of building materials.
Port and marine projects are often highly complex, and their planning and design require a wide range of competencies. Octopus is a leading provider of independent consultancy services across the spectrum of port planning and design, marine structures, and coastal engineering.Our comprehensive experience from national as well as international. We undertake both large and smaller-scale projects and assist customers throughout all project phases – from the earliest planning and pre-feasibility studies to master plan studies, design, and tendering.
Further, our services include assistance during construction, operations, maintenance, training and asset management. We work closely with local companies and hire local manpower. We benefit greatly from their knowledge and use it to shape projects according to local conditions and economies.
Our customers include port authorities and operators, private investors and developers, investment banks, and international financing institutions.
A sustainable transport system is essential for a well-functioning society. Increased urbanization and road congestion, and a focus on the environment and energy consumption make railways a strong alternative to road transport for people and freight. Octopus provides professional consultancy services within railways and other public transport.Construction and upgrading of railways are rapidly increasing all over the world. Octopus provides professional consultancy services within railways and other public transport – including a complete range of rail-based systems, from high-speed railways to urban transport systems, such as metro and light rail.
Our technical expertise within rail consultancy comprises permanent way, traction power, and overhead catenaries system, interlocking systems, signaling, traffic management, telecoms and rolling stock. We combine this expertise with all of our other services – allowing us to deliver fully integrated transport solutions. With extensive expertise within railway and urban transport services, we offer planning, design, approval, operational, and commissioning services.
We render services to both the public and the private sector, we have acquired a unique understanding of the different needs. It also gives us a valuable background for finding solutions suitable for all parties involved.
Our areas of expertise include:
Octopus covers the whole project cycle from inception to ex-post evaluation. We also have experience with investor-grade assessment of markets and service propositions. We maintain a strong focus on the customer’s needs and expectations through all stages of our projects – and ensure proper risk management at all times.
We differentiate ourselves by providing expertise and experience at all project stages, a truly multidisciplinary approach, and global knowledge coupled with an understanding of the local context. We adopt the latest technological innovations from around the world, integrate them into the local transport infrastructure and make sure they meet all local regulations and standards.
Unique approach:
Our assignments often require that we combine our railway know-how with our expertise in other civil engineering fields, such as management, construction, and ground engineering.
We have experience with international and national codes and standards (EN and UIC), and we actively participate in workshops and group forums to help set new standards and drive innovation in the industry.
We have a consistent approach to quality and safety. This means that we are as keen on getting the small details right, as we are keen on developing the best overall concept.
Our services:
Roads and motorways are essential to ensure mobility of people and goods, and new road infrastructure is needed on an ongoing basis. More importantly, existing roads need refurbishment or upgrading. By using technology, such as Intelligent Transport System (ITS), it is possible to postpone major new investments in a safe and responsible way.Octopus offers a wide range of services in the area of road and motorway engineering – ranging from strategic assessments and analyses to detailed construction and as-built documents. We also have extensive experience in all the different phases and do everything from concept development to operations and asset management. Modern society depends on a well-functioning traffic and transportation system. To improve the quality of roads and motorways, Octopus’s transportation and traffic engineers offer expert advice on the planning and design of them, as well as advanced support and asset management.
For decades, we have worked on projects for public authorities and contractors, so we understand budget and time constraints, and we know how to handle the political interest associated with these type of projects.
Multidisciplinary services:
Over the past decades, road and motorway consultancy has become more multidisciplinary, and the breadth of Octopus’s services reflects this development.
In addition to the traditional services outlined in road consultancy and design, we also offer a number of other related and integrated services.
Solutions for city streets and squares:
Our road and motorway team also plans and designs city streets and squares. They focus on traffic safety and the creation of a good environment for different types of traffic, including pedestrians, cyclists, and vehicles.
One very important aspect of street and square projects – and one that typically represents a bit of a challenge – is the selection of visually appealing and durable pavement materials. Over the years, we have come up with many excellent pavement solutions, often utilizing natural stones to ensure both longevity and sustainability.
Motorways and main roads:
Octopus has worked on road projects all over the world. Our experience ranges from motorway solutions in heavily populated areas to gravel roads in developing countries.
In addition to regular detailed design services for motorways and main roads, we also offer specialized services – for instance, to widen existing motorway sections through open land or highly complex town sections. We know how to navigate the challenges posed by limited space, noise, and existing structures. We also have the in-house capability to undertake geometric and pavement design for all types of road networks (including local roads, collector roads, arterials, and expressways), and we use state-of-the-art design software.
Octopus has combined its expertise in the areas of road and bridge design asset management with advanced testing methods and IT to offer complete solutions for asset management.
Octopus RST is the leading provider of consulting services and equipment for efficient pavement management. We use our expertise and proven analytical methods to optimise road asset management and bring the greatest benefits to road authorities, contractors, and end users.
Our services:
Risk and safety:
What is the probability that a ship will collide with a bridge? Or how do we secure our buildings in a safe manner to protect against critical events? Risk analyses are all about envisaging and describing unforeseen events and modeling the probabilities and consequences.
Areas of expertise:
Quantified Risk Analysis
Quantified Risk Analysis (QRA) is dealing with a detailed modeling of event probabilities and consequences and covers the following
Project Risk Management:
Project Risk Management is a systematic approach to identify and reduce risks related to project execution or to company daily production and covers project cost overrun, delays and quality as well as risk management of project execution – day to day based risk assessment and follow up.
Mathematical modeling and advanced data analyses
As an integrated part of a risk analysis – or as a separate service – the Risk and Safety department performs advanced data analyses and mathematical modeling tasks. The department uses both state-of-the-art commercial software tools and develops its own tools and models suited to solve the specific problem at hand.
Computational Fluid dynamics:
An Advanced Flow Engineering group within the department works exclusively with fluid dynamics and has experience on an international level in building and analyzing CFD models. The works include tasks in Denmark and abroad within e.g. wind environment, wind and wave loading, indoor ventilation, fires and explosions. Advanced computer simulation models are applied in the work.
As urbanization becomes more pronounced, traffic management becomes more challenging. We help our customers meet today’s high demands for improved transportation systems and increased mobility by navigating the complex challenges associated with the planning and design of cities and transport systems.Whether we’re working on small-scale traffic projects or extensive national and international planning projects, our number one priority is to create safe and flexible infrastructure and transport systems. To achieve this, we focus on creating the right balance between heavy and light road users. We also build many types of models – from complicated transport models to 3D visualizations of a simple junction – to ensure that solutions are as effective as possible. Throughout the process, we work hard to improve the visual environment in both urban and rural environments.
Traffic and community planning and strategies:
Transport planning can be key to unlocking the value of a site. Our specialists have a clear understanding of the interplay between public policy and project needs. We work with planners, developers, architects, and operators, as well as multidisciplinary engineering teams, to develop and negotiate the right solutions.
Octopus has the expertise and software for carrying out traffic impact studies, and traffic simulations for the road, rail, and pedestrian traffic, regardless of the country and location.
Our planning services include:
Traffic safety plans:
Octopus excels at creating comprehensive traffic safety plans at the community and municipality level. To facilitate the making of traffic safety plans, we collect information about the present status of traffic safety and potential problems.
Registration and analysis of traffic accidents having occurred in the planning area constitute an important part of the process. These are examined with Octopus’s LITU software and based on geoinformation systems. Mobility habits, detected problems, and perceived traffic safety are investigated with resident surveys.
The first phase results form the basis for the problem analysis. Based on the problem analysis, we set both quantitative and functional goals for traffic safety and mobility management. Additionally, we define the focus areas of traffic safety work. These constitute the starting point for developing solutions to improve traffic safety.
The overall planning work typically focuses on the following:
Sustainable transportation & environment
Traffic analysis and geographic information systems (GIS)
