GB Card & Partners Introduces CARD DECK® – A New Approach to Building on Challenging Ground

GB Card & Partners (GBCP) has announced the introduction of CARD DECK®, a patent-pending hybrid raft foundation system designed to unlock development on some of the most challenging brownfield sites. Developed through extensive research and collaboration with clients, CARD DECK® represents a new approach to foundation engineering — enabling construction on ground conditions that have traditionally been considered too complex, risky, or uneconomic to develop.

Addressing the Challenges of Brownfield Development Across the UK and internationally, many brownfield sites present significant geotechnical challenges, including soft, highly compressible ground, contamination, and variable fill materials. Conventional foundation solutions such as deep piling or heavy concrete rafts are often costly, carbon-intensive, or simply not feasible. CARD DECK® has been developed specifically to overcome these constraints, providing a practical and sustainable alternative that improves both technical performance and project viability.

A Hybrid Raft Solution

At the core of CARD DECK® is a hybrid raft system that combines a high-strength upper layer with a granular lower layer. Together, these elements form a flexible, composite structure that behaves as a single unit. This allows the foundation to distribute structural loads effectively while accommodating ground movement — a key requirement when building on compressible or hazardous substrates. The system can be configured into modular podiums of up to 50m by 100m, making it suitable for a wide range of developments, including residential, commercial, and mixed-use schemes. —

Proven Success at Erith Quarry

CARD DECK® was first successfully deployed at the former Erith Quarry in Kent — a 20-hectare brownfield site containing up to 28 metres of landfill, including inert, biodegradable, and hazardous materials. The site presented significant challenges, including: – Ground settlement of 1m to 2m – Highly variable and compressible ground conditions – The need to protect surrounding aquifers from contamination. Traditional foundation solutions were considered impractical due to both technical constraints and cost. CARD DECK® provided an innovative alternative, enabling the safe and cost-effective delivery of a major development comprising 850 homes, a primary school, and retail and commercial space, with a total project value of approximately £300 million.

Delivering Measurable Benefits

The application of CARD DECK® has demonstrated clear advantages across multiple areas:

Technical Performance

The hybrid raft accommodates significant settlement while maintaining structural integrity, reducing risk and improving long-term durability.

Environmental Impact

By reducing reliance on deep piling and large volumes of concrete, the system lowers embodied carbon, minimises ground disturbance, and helps protect sensitive environments such as aquifers.

Commercial Value

The modular approach supports faster construction, improved programme certainty, and reduced costs — helping to unlock sites that may otherwise be considered unviable.

A Step Change in Foundation Engineering CARD DECK® reflects GBCP’s commitment to delivering innovative, engineering-led solutions to complex ground challenges. The technology has been developed through a programme of research and real-world application, with a focus on creating scalable, practical solutions that can be adapted to a wide range of site conditions. Dr Geoffrey Card, Managing Director and Founder of GB Card & Partners, said: “CARD DECK® represents a step change in how we approach foundation engineering on challenging ground. By rethinking traditional methods, we can unlock sites that were previously considered impossible to develop, while improving sustainability and commercial outcomes.”

Unlocking Future Development

As pressure continues to grow to deliver housing and infrastructure on brownfield land, CARD DECK® offers a proven solution that can transform the viability of complex sites. With its modular and scalable design, the system has the potential to be applied across projects in the UK and internationally, supporting more efficient land use while maintaining high standards of engineering performance. By combining technical innovation with practical delivery, CARD DECK® is helping to redefine what is possible in foundation engineering.

Notes to Editors

GB Card & Partners is a UK-based civil and geotechnical engineering consultancy specialising in railway, infrastructure and heritage railway projects. The company is recognised for its expertise in slope stability, earthworks and asset resilience.

Media Contact:
Brian Smith
T: 07770 277010
E: brian@briansmithassociates.co.uk