A UNIQUE solution using rolling-strut trench boxes has been supplied by shoring systems specialist Groundforce Shorco to support the installation of new culvert units for Yorkshire Water.
The ten rolling-strut trench boxes, a product unique to Groundforce Shorco, a division of Britain’s largest specialist plant equipment hire company, Vp plc, Harrogate, were crucial to creating adequate working space for the installation of the culvert units for specialist sub contractor, national civil engineering company, K Rouse Ltd.
The culvert installation is part of a continuing project to install a combined sewer overflow system to control the screening of foul water at Endcliffe Park, Porterbrook, Sheffield, at times of flooding and protect local water courses. Main contractor is Earthtech Morrison. The contract is worth £8,500 to Groundforce Shorco.
The challenge for K Rouse Ltd, which specialises in drainage installations, was the tight working dimensions of the 3.8m wide, 4.5m deep and 64m long trench to install the ten 2.8m high pre-cast concrete culverts.
Groundforce Shorco sales and marketing director, Simon Littlewood, says: "The rolling-strut trench boxes are the only proprietary support system which would have provided full excavation support and adequate clearance underneath for K Rouse for installation of the culverts. This is a good example of why we developed this product with the specialist water authority contractor in mind."
K. Rouse site manager, Peter Dawson, says: "The trench dimensions were very tight, making it a potentially very awkward installation. The Groundforce Shorco system allowed us 3.1m clearance below the strut to work on the installation of the culverts. No other shoring system could have achieved this and so we are grateful for Groundforce Shorco’s valuable input."
