WAREHOUSE & LOGISTICS


The growing risk beneath Ireland’s manufacturing sites


By Richard Dee, Director, Geobear Ireland Ireland’s manufacturing facilities are facing a new set of challenges, not only on the


 


FOUNDATIONS UNDER PRESSURE


Ireland’s climate is changing in ways that are directly affecting the ground beneath manufacturing facilities. According to Met Éireann, 2023 was the wettest year on record in Ireland, with a gridded national average of around 1,510 mm of rain. The following year remained high at around 1,228 mm. With higher rainfall, more  hot summers, the foundations of many manufacturing sites are under growing stress. 


shrink-swell cycles in cohesive soils. Ireland’s   clay-rich subgrades lose moisture and shrink,


32 May/June 2026 Irish Manufacturing


creating voids beneath slabs and footings. When  swelling and softening, reducing the effective   settlement; and that’s when the real damage begins.


In addition, much of Ireland’s manufacturing


infrastructure is ageing. Many facilities were built    today’s volatile climate. Foundations, slabs and underground infrastructure may now have limited tolerance for the stresses caused by climate extremes.


What’s concerning is these risks often


   environments, it can be easy to miss early  cracking, or drainage issues. Then, by the time   


THE COST OF GROUND FAILURE    


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