Site entrance door
Insight GEO was approached to undertake a Phase 1 Desk Study and consider preliminary foundation design for a proposed six storey mixed residential and commercial development in Stirling.
The site was wholly occupied by an existing retail building on a busy road opposite the city’s main railway station. Although a main further phase of investigation will be carried out following demolition, the Client was keen to consider the foundation options available at an early project stage.
All things considered, piling into dolerite bedrock was the most likely solution, so rotary coring to determine rockhead depth and rock mass characteristics was necessary. With no direct plant access to the maximum headroom area of just 3 metres and disruption to the existing business to be minimised, there were a few constraints to consider! Fortunately we had used the tiny Beretta T25 drilling rig from preferred subcontractor, JB Site Investigations, in tight spots before. Its driller, Des Hood, is particularly adept at the careful manoeuvring, which would be required. We measured the clearances, and yes, it could just be done – with a bit of internal doorway widening and ramps for steps.
Easy does it...
Safely round a corner
Prior to mobilisation a team from Insight GEO widened two internal doorways and lined the floors and doors around the drillhole with floor to ceiling plastic sheeting to prevent spread of dust and mess throughout the shop. With so much preparation, all went to plan and the shop only needed to shut for one day.
Strong dolerite was proved below 5 metres depth and with all hands on deck to clean up, the shop window display was back in place shortly after completion of the successful investigation. Business as usual!
Drilling in progress
Clean up complete
Project Team:
Private Client
Engineer: The Gordon Farquharson Partnership, Falkirk
Architect: Twenty Ten Architecture Ltd, Stirling
