Bachy Soletanche’s new TrenchMix technique in Midlands flood relief
Developed in the UK by Bachy Soletanche and Mastenbroek, a TrenchMix machine, newly arrived from construction projects in France and Switzerland, is currently helping provide flood protection at a site of special scientific interest (SSSI) in Nottingham. The £650,000 contract is part of a broader £51 million Nottingham Left Bank Flood Alleviation Scheme for the Environment Agency and provides an alternative and economical solution to stopping water seeping beneath flood defences.
- This work for main contractor Jackson Civil Engineering and the Environment Agency uses the patented TrenchMix process, developed jointly by Bachy Soletanche and Mastenbroek
- This involves the construction, below ground, of an impermeable cut-off wall comprising soil mixed with a binding agent
- The technology is a natural development of Bachy Soletanche’s extensive experience in piling and foundations, and is still relatively new in the UK despite its growing popularity in other parts of Europe
- It is believed the TrenchMix machine is being used for the first time for flood defence works in the UK
- In addition to the specialised equipment provided by Mastenbroek, the TrenchMix process relies on a rigorous specification and detailed procedures drawn up by Bachy Soletanche to construct continuous impervious wall for foundations or leachate cut-off applications
- The 400mm thick barrier offers a permeability better than 1X10-8m/s and a compressive strength of greater than 0.5Mpa
Environment Agency Midlands Director, Mark Sitton-Kent, said:
“We need to create a ‘seepage cut-off’, an impermeable barrier below ground level to prevent this from happening. The method we chose had to minimise the amount of land we needed to use, reduce disturbance to both people and wildlife and at the same time be able to work safely alongside high voltage electric cables and a major railway line to the satisfaction of Central Networks and Network Rail.”
He continued: “Initially, because of the ground conditions, the only possible solution seemed to be conventional hammer driven sheet piles. TrenchMix offered a new approach. It breaks up and mixes the soil with a cement grout without the need to excavate and remove it. The resulting mix of soil and grout solidifies to form a continuous underground barrier, preventing high flood levels driving water through the ground beneath the flood wall, and protecting the areas behind the defences.”
Area Flood Risk Manager Innes Thomson said:
“TrenchMix offers significant benefits. It is faster than conventional sheet piling machines, uses low height equipment, and its lower noise and vibration levels will reduce disturbance to wildlife, visitors and local residents. We will also need to use less land to build the defence, and any earth excavated can be re-cycled on site for landscaping work. This will result in less traffic on local roads.”