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Fri March 29 2024

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Battersea foundations present challenges to Bauer

15 Apr 16 Bauer Technologies has won the contract for Phase 2 piling works at the Battersea Power Station development. But it won’t be simple.

Phase 2 of the Battersea development involves the restoration and refurbishment of the power station itself to create more than 250 homes, 50,000 m2 of commercial space and 32,000 m2 of retail, set within 2.4 hectares of new riverside park. The main contractor for Phase 2 of the development is Skanska.

Developed by the Malaysian consortium comprising Sime Darby, SP Setia and Employees’ Provident Fund, the mixed-use project requires Bauer to install more than 600 bearing piles (diameters varying from 0.75 metres to 2.0 metres) up to 60 metres deep. It must also install 500 dry piles and 100 piles under bentonite, together with 900 secant wall piles, all within the power station itself.

Bauer mobilised to site at the end of February 2016 to begin advance works that involves the installation of the preliminary test piles and piling works for 2 tower crane bases, followed by obstruction removal work in advance of the start of the main works in June 2016.

Bauer said that among the project challenges was the limited footprint available for heavy duty piling rigs and equipment, restricted access and, in places, restricted headroom when working around and under existing structures.

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It must also face the removal of substantial manmade obstructions and the presence of a deep scour feature in the London Clay.

Bauer Technologies managing director Martin Blower said: “This is both an exciting and extremely challenging project, requiring a variety of rigs on-site and the removal of significant manmade concrete obstructions before work can begin. We are pleased and honoured to be awarded such a prestigious project.

“To ensure robust delivery, it’s of paramount importance that the right resource is available at the right time and by working collaboratively we anticipate and manage for all potential risk factors as the project progresses.”

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