The Earls Court regeneration scheme keeps advancing and one of the world’s largest cranes has been erected to facilitate works after the exhibition centre demolition. As part of CampbellReith’s continuing role as Capco’s advising engineer, our structural, civil and geotechnical engineers have provided key inputs to the detailed design of the foundations, lifting beams and surface drainage for this massive crane operation by ALE and Keltbray. The 120m high crane has now been safely erected and tested and will be used to lift concrete beams laid beneath the former exhibition centre.
The crane mat designed by Wentworth House for Keltbray is nestled in between London Underground District Line tunnels. The works included provision of 2m of compacted granular fill – in accordance with a specification we helped to develop to ensure very precise crane base settlement limits were achieved. Our independent geotechnical design analysis was critical to the achievement of a safe, workable solution. The compaction testing regime we designed ensured compliance with the exacting compaction specification was achieved. We have also designed the surface water drainage system for this massive temporary site.
CampbellReith Partner Mike Allen said “I am very proud of the efforts of our team involved in the preparations of this mega crane operation, well done to the team”.
For more details on the project, please see Capco’s press release and Building Magazine article.