Handsacre and Armitage

As Part of the Network Rail 4 Tracking scheme on the Midlands Section of the West Coast Main Line, some existing bridges were required to be widened, to accommodate an additional track.

Martello Piling were employed to install 1050mm diameter piles for one abutment, and 900mm diameter piles at the other. Both areas were adjacent to the track and the access was very restricted. The Martello rigs have a low weight and low ground bearing pressure, requiring only minimal temporary works, and hence, were ideally suited. The MP4000 rig installed the 900mm piles in the most restricted area, which could not be extended, owing to an existing adjacent Network Rail sub-station, and other critical services which could not be moved. The MP5000 rig installed the 1050mm diameter piles at the other abutment, in the slightly larger area. All piles were installed to an approximate depth of 13.0m and founded into Mercia Mudstone.

Wimbledon

In the very restricted and low headroom conditions underneath one corner of the Centre Court at Wimbledon, new piled foundations were required for a retractable sliding roof structure.

Martello Piling were employed to install 900mm diameter piles in very restricted access conditions, and a headroom of just 4.9m.

The piles were reinforced to a depth of 20m and founded in London Clay at a depth of 36.0m