Elmwood Group

Project Overview

Elmwood Group is a regional civils contractor that was selected by Aspire Healthcare to plan and deliver the installation of two attenuation tanks, prior to the construction of a new large residential care home near Guildford in Surrey.

Elmwood selected Conquip to work with their project team to create a detailed temporary works design and supply the hire equipment, including hydraulic braces, a waler frame, Sheet Piles and Trench Sheets, with an EMV Hammer to drive the sheets to the required depths, in two areas on the site.

The Challenge

The excavation for the first tank required one level of 300 Brace and 5 metre-long, heavy-duty GU13 Sheet Piles. Once the tank was installed and the area surrounding it backfilled, the team moved onto the second area.

The excavation for the second tank had more complex requirements, with a mix of one level of 300 Brace, Double-Acting Manhole Brace and an Aluminium Waler Frame, all needed for the excavation area with a depth of 3.5 metres, supported by KD6 Trench Sheets.

Both tanks will route excess rain and surface water from the site, out to existing public drains.

The Solution

The project team carefully planned out the six-week long project, so being able to receive advice and an accurate and compliant temporary works design from Conquip’s in-house engineers was vital. The ground conditions were a key factor within the temporary works solution, which consisted of sand and soft clay for the first four metres, giving way to dark London clay after a depth of 4 metres.

The compressed project schedule and compact footprint of this site meant that the team needed to ensure timelines were always met. Various Conquip equipment and services helped them achieve this:

• Driving Trench Sheets and Sheet Piles safely and efficiently with compatible driving tools.
• Smooth installations of the hydraulic braces based on the relevant design, before the arrival and installation of each tank.
• Accurate, reliable timings of both the on-hire and off-hire of equipment that was no longer needed, as the project progressed.
• Easy-to-install Edge Protection panels were supplied around both excavation areas, providing appropriate trench safety and access for operatives on the project.
• Conquip’s Technical Sales team carried out on-site familiarisation training in the initial stage and made several visits to provide advice and guidance at regular intervals during the project.
• Plus, Elmwood Group also chose Conquip Excavator Forks and Fork Extensions to aid loading, movement and unloading of awkward materials around the site.

“Conquip provided valuable support throughout this challenging six-week project. Their engineers developed a practical temporary works design that accounted for the different ground conditions and the specific requirements of both excavations. The equipment arrived when required, was straightforward to install and helped us keep the project on schedule despite the limited space on site. Our contact in the technical sales team provided useful familiarisation training and remained available throughout the works, visiting the site regularly to offer advice and guidance. We were pleased with the reliable service and technical support provided from design through to completion.”

Adam Wallace| Site Manager, Elmwood Group

Learn more about Conquip Excavation Support Design services and equipment here.