Value: £125,000

The Project

The main contract was to construct a new theatre and arts centre in Newport, South Wales, alongside the tidal River Usk. During the course of the main contract works the well preserved remains of a mediaeval ship was discovered. A new basement was designed to accommodate the remains of the ancient ship and Quantum Geotechnical were awarded the contract to design and install the piling for the basement.

The piling works comprised the installation of 92 bored piles, 200mm diameter and 64 bored tension piles, 150mm diameter within a sheet piled cofferdam.

All piles were reinforced with Gewi threadbar, varying in diameter from 40mm to 63.5mm. The tension piles were installed in a grid covering the floor area, whereas the compression piles were installed under the perimeter walls.

Due to the overhead sheet pile support beams Quantum's compact Klemm 701 with its telescopic mast was used to drill and install piles that would have restricted headroom while a Klemm 802 completed all unrestricted locations.

The piling and anchor works were scheduled to take six weeks providing no delays were encountered. Quantums worked very closely with their Client and the understanding that developed assisted in the project being completed within three weeks which was also well within budget.