Project Snapshot
Date completed: December, 2024
- Type: Single-storey new-build
- Location: Ashton-under-Lyne
- Client: Private homeowner
- Piles: 24 x 150mm
- Beam: 66.1 metres
- Concrete: 18.9 cubic metres
THE CHALLENGE
This private homeowner wanted to build a second singe-storey house, making use of the available space in the confines of their spacious property. The site overlooked horse fields, with Central Manchester visible over the hill to the rear of the property.
The footings had been excavated to uncover large clay deposits, meaning the site required pre-augured piles. We had no trouble incorporating this into our existing work schedule to accommodate the customer’s needs.
Pre-Auguring
Due to the presence of clay deposits when excavating, this project required the piling team to pre-augur the holes to drill through the thick clay. Slip sleeves are then installed in the holes to prevent the clay from gripping the pile and moving it up or down during the changing seasons.
Piling & Heave Protection
Once the holes had been pre-augured, we then commenced driving 24 150mm starter piles to a depth of 2 metres. The piles were driven using a Vermeer pneumatic mole. During the piling process, heave protection was laid to prevent the swelling/shrinking clay from affecting the placement of the steel ring beam.
Steel Ring Beam & Clay Master
We used 66.1 metres of steel ring beam (500 x 350mm) and installed and tied together with metal wire, and then pile-bars are fixed to add structural rigidity between the piles and the steel ring beam when the concrete is curing . Clay Master is then inserted alongside the walls of the footing as further heave protection. This prevents the clay’s swelling or shrinking which could then affect the foundation of this house in the future.
Concrete
A volumetric wagon from Rhino Concrete and a line pump from AC Concrete Pumping arrived on the final day to install 18.9 cubic metres of grade C35 concrete.
THE OUTCOME
Despite the clay deposits, we completed the job within the time frame given to us and the quality of work was up to our high standards. The customer was pleased with the end result as it meant they could progress with the building of this house with peace of mind that the foundations were installed with extra care, from excavation to cured concrete.
Phone: 0161 706 0365 | Email: enquiries@rhinopiling.co.uk
