ASK Network

GCC logo

The ASK Network is being developed by the BGS and Glasgow City Council (GCC), with support from other partners in the public and private sectors.

Join the ASK Network to help develop and exchange data sets and methods about the ground beneath Glasgow and beyond.

The ASK Network — or Accessing Subsurface Knowledge — was launched in The Lighthouse on 16 November 2012.

So what is the ASK Network?

ASK is a new data and knowledge exchange network between public and private sectors developed by the BGS and Glasgow City Council.

Knowledge of the subsurface is key to delivering successful construction and regeneration projects— poor understanding of ground conditions is widely recognised as the largest single cause of project delay as well as overspending — see Ground Rules | NCE.

Learn more about the aims of the network, better use and re-use of data and 3D urban subsurface models.

ASK Network Launch

The ASK Network launch was attended by 62 delegates from the public and private sectors including local authorities, geotechnical and civil engineering consultancies and universities.

Download the ASK Network Launch Programme

Download the ASK Innovation Agreement

Download the Summary of Break-out session

Download presentations:

Aims of the Network

The ASK Network will attempt to:

  • develop and exchange high quality systematic subsurface data sets and methods
  • facilitate effective re-use of subsurface data to better inform decision making and management of urban resources
  • establish a data transfer mechanism to a centralised repository for raw subsurface data in standardised formats, to maximise accessibility and re-use of data.
  • provide access to BGS's attributed 3D model coverage and related GIS data sets
  • enable users to influence outputs from models to improve usability
  • assess ASK Network expansion, and/or use as an exemplar for in other cities/areas of the UK
  • explore integration of geotechnical data and 3D models within building information modelling (BIM)
ask figure 1
Teaching using 3D models

Better use and re-use of data

ASK Network Aims

Unforeseen ground conditions are often the result of inefficient handling of environmental and geotechnical data, and a lack of re-use of ground investigation data. Improving this situation demands significantly better use, and re-use, of data and knowledge.

Recent collaboration between the BGS, GCC and the private sector is demonstrating the value in a step change in how subsurface data are reported and exchanged between the public and private sectors in Glasgow.

3D urban subsurface models

3D EA model

The BGS has been at the forefront of developing 3D urban subsurface models in recent years to help improve understanding of subsurface conditions and view the subsurface in its regional and local spatial context.

3D models are heavily dependent on high quality ground investigation data and can readily be used to promote more cost effective and better informed future site investigations.

With better re-use of subsurface data and knowledge, we are keen to extend these model capabilities and increase the models relevance to practical issues, and support a wide range of decision-making in the public and private sectors.

Contact:

Contact Hugh Barron about joining the ASK Network or for further information