Bachy Soletanche in £25m Nuclear AMRC construction
Bachy Soletanche will shortly have completed all three phases of a piling contract for the new Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre and Knowledge Transfer Centre at the University of Sheffield for BAM Construction. To date, work has involved installing 331 600mm diameter, 2200kN piles to depths of 19-25m into made ground over mudstone.
Two heavy duty CFA piling rigs (CM70) were used to install the innovative expanded head piles, developed by the project team of BAM Construction and Engineers Buro Happold to assist with slab connections. 2506m3 concrete was used for the piling works, with a total of 7374 linear metres piled and concreted.
Varying rock levels on the edge of the former open cast coal mine resulted in extensive probing and remodeling of the rock levels throughout the contract to produce an economical design. The rock sockets were installed up to 7.5m depth.
Paul Hodgson, Business Development Manager at Bachy Soletanche, said:
“This is one of our more interesting jobs at the moment due to the much bigger scheme surrounding it. During the third phase of works we’ll be installing the piles for two wind turbines, which should be complete by the end of June, when we’re looking forward to seeing the fruits of our labour.”
The first two phases of work were carried out between October and November 2010, and in December 2010. The third phase is due to commence in June 2011.