Whitescape Civil Engineering Case Study

www.whitescape.co.uk
Whitescapeand
CivilEngineering

MORELANDSRIVERDALEBUILDINGS
CASESTUDY CIVILENGINEERING
1
Early involvement saves
time and cost
Complex sites or structures need bespoke
strategies that are often more effectively created
when the design is still evolving and all options
are open. Civil engineers need to understand and
align themselves with the customer’s objectives,
if they are going to provide the full benefit of
their specialist experience. The earlier they are
involved in a project, the greater the potential for
enhancing value.
Planning and collaboration are key
A successful civil engineering project depends
on meticulous planning, sequencing and
supervision, as well as close collaboration with
architects, structural engineers and specialist
consultants. The programme must also be flexibly
designed to accommodate unpredictable issues.
Strong communication between all stakeholders
and the supply chain will prove invaluable in
guiding the project to successful completion.
Precision is the civil
engineer’s byword
Fine tolerances, where there’s no margin
for error, demand top skills and experience.
Civil engineering is a people business where
every team member shares responsibility for
getting design and installation exactly right. At
Whitescape, we employ all our own professionals
and operatives, so we can vouch for their
capability and commitment. Our in-house training
ensures they achieve and maintain the highest
practice standards.
Civil engineering is the foundation of
every successful construction project,
and a major factor in maximising the
commercial value to landowners,
developers and investors. Complex
infrastructure projects of any scale
need intelligent solutions to resolve
the challenges. For sites that present
special technical issues, the civil
engineering contribution can make a
material difference to financial returns.
Specialistsolutionsfor
optimumoutcomes
Morelands Riverdale:
demonstrating our approach
This case study exemplifies how we delivered a
complex technical requirement on a particularly
difficult brownfield site. What we accomplished
here illustrates our aim for all civil engineering
projects: to optimise the potential of the site and
its structures, and to surpass all expectations in
doing so.

bordering the filter beds to provide access,
parking and vital service infrastructure, without
which planning consent would not have been
granted. The roadway construction incorporated
ground source heating and cooling, other M&E
and IT services.
To optimise limited space, the new road was
cantilevered over an existing embankment. This
section spanned critically important underground
infrastructure that forms part of the mains
The Morelands Riverdale buildings are
two redundant listed Victorian water
pumping stations beside the Thames
at Hampton, now being converted to
accommodate up to 100 scientists in
startup microbiology businesses.
The Grade II buildings comprise over 400 m2
, and
occupy a constrained and sensitive brownfield
site at one of the largest water treatment plants
in Europe. The challenge was to widen a road
Complexinfrastructureonachallengingsite
2
water supply to west London and has to remain
accessible to Thames Water. Logistical operations
were complicated by prohibited access to the filter
beds, which are protected against contamination
by high security, in place 24/7.
Whitescape designed a novel piling system to
avoid all existing infrastructure and installed it to
exceptionally fine tolerances. Working closely with
the architects, structural engineers and drainage
consultants, we maintained a carefully sequenced
programme while dealing with both known and
unknown challenges on site.
This is the kind of project we relish, as it provides
a real opportunity to exercise our intelligent and
adaptable approach. We also appreciated being
an integral part of this inspiring and ambitious
project to bring historic buildings into innovative
contemporary use.

3
“
”ABOUTTHEPROJECT
• 220m roadway
• Cantilevered construction
• Incorporating infrastructure services
• Historic brownfield site
• Multiple stakeholders
• 39 week timescale
• Value: £2.5m
The project has not been without significant
challenges. It has not only involved a fluid design
process, but also required close liaison with major
utility suppliers and their network infrastructure, as
well as full time co-ordination with multiple additional
contractors. Whitecape, Michael and his team have
continually worked through many scenarios that would
have been immovable objects to others. As we reach the
final stages of this road extension, I can safely say that
regardless of the fact that it required many unique and
bespoke processes and products, Whitescape
have delivered a major contribution to our project
to a high standard.
ALAN HOPLEY - Blackbottle Limited

The challenging nature of the
Morelands and Riverdale site demanded
exceptional precision in constructing
the new road and infrastructure.
Whitescape’s contribution in
engineering an intricate design was
fundamental to providing essential
facilities and services for the buildings,
as well as adequate access and
parking for their occupants.
The design involved a cantilevered construction
over the Thames Water embankment bordering
the filter beds, to support the parking area of the
road above and to protect important piping and
culvert runs below, including a 1200mm water
main and 600mm storm water line. Meticulous
survey and engineering was required, to ensure
at least 1m clearance from any of this
existing infrastructure.
Whitescape designed a piling scheme within
these stringent parameters, which was approved
by the structural engineers. Further adjustments
were needed after a second probe to check pile
locations, at 2.5m depth, identified unrecorded
foundations, an underground culvert, and an
older, disused storm drain. Six piles had to be
relocated and the pile caps redesigned
during construction.
The new structure incorporated stormwater drains
with Q-Ceptor oil separators to filter outflow to
the Thames, and manifold chambers for access
to a geothermal heating and cooling system laid
under the road surface. A sprinkler main with two
entry points to the buildings was installed along
the length of the site between the road and the
buildings, as well as eight service ducts and 12
chambers for the IT and M&E infrastructure.
Engineeredto
demandingstandards
4
Having worked closely with Whitescape on the Hampton waterworks
development, a project which had a number of difficult buried services to
navigate, we would highly recommend them for any future projects.
The process threw up various unforeseen challenges which were overcome
remarkably smoothly, with the standard of Whitescape’s work remaining
consistent and to specification. We have greatly appreciated their proactive
attitude and look forward to working with them in the future.
KATE BUXTON - Hockley and Dawson, Consulting Engineers
“
”

5
• The first task was to install temporary fencing and analytic CCTV, followed by
removal of the old concrete road, crash barrier and boundary fence.
• A new 2m diameter manhole was built over the existing stormwater line,
4m below ground, part of the process of bringing the site up to
modern requirements.
• The dig unearthed masses of concrete not shown on the historic drawings or
otherwise recorded, which affected 30% of the site and required excavating
to 6m in some areas.
• This extra concrete and steel were separated out for recycling, while
additional resource and machines were brought in to continue scheduled
earth removal in parallel.
• In total 750m3
of earth - 50 x 15m3
lorry loads - was removed per day over
an 8-week period.
PREPARATIONANDEXCAVATION

• 142 piles, ranging from 13m to 17m deep by 455mm diameter,
were drilled in rows alongside the 220m embankment, requiring
320m3
of reinforced concrete.
• The beams were designed to cantilever over the banked edge
adjacent to the filter beds, to maximise the road surface area,
make provision for adequate parking and allow Thames Water
access to the infrastructure below.
• Accuracy was known to be critical as it was necessary to allow
1m clearance from the water main.
• Obstacles pushed the normal bolt tolerance of 75mm to 5mm
on two piles. The knock-on effect reduced tolerance to
3-5mm across 320 bolts, with zero tolerance on the outer edge
of the site next to the filter beds.
PILEANDBEAMINSTALLATION
6

www.whitescape.co.uk 7
PILEANDBEAMINSTALLATION

FORMWORKANDROADCONSTRUCTION
8
• The formwork had to be strongly
constructed and meticulously monitored
during the pouring process to eliminate
any risk of contaminating the adjacent
filter beds.
• 1900m3
of foam concrete filler was
pumped the 220m length of the site,
with the pipeline broken to control flow
into specific sections. Constant attention
ensured a continuous flow to avoid the
risk of blockages over this distance.
• We met the target of pouring at least
200m3
foam concrete for four days a
week (930m3
per week) over a period of
two weeks. A planned break to avoid
traffic congestion during the Chelsea
Flow Show was used to install the
remainder of the beams.
• The road itself was constructed as a
structured formwork of slab, re-bar and
mesh encased in 15N concrete to create a
sound foundation for the block paving
finish.
• To allow ongoing access to the water
main over the cantilevered parking area,
excavators were used to install pre-cast
removable panels, 5m in width and
weighing up to 2.5 tons.

9
FORMWORKANDROADCONSTRUCTION

Even on a normal construction site, the
Morelands-Riverdale road project would
have required excellent planning and
sequencing. On this historic brownfield
site, fraught with known and unknown
risk factors, the logistics were unusually
challenging.
‘Cando’solutionsforcomplexproblems
Whitescape deployed our own plant and a
directly employed workforce of around 15 people
to maintain full control over every phase and
activity. Meanwhile, the client was carrying out
internal and roofing works, with the buildings
being scaffolded and up to 30 of their own
people on site at any one time. Collaboration
and communication were vital in a project where
stakeholders included the client acting as
his own main contractor, Thames Water and
English Heritage.
“Whitescape has demonstrated great capability for the most complex of construction tasks.
The vast concentration of critical, buried infrastructure has required an extraordinary level
of care and accuracy, and the work has so far been completed without a single complaint
or concern from Thames Water. This challenging combination of tasks and location has
not once intimidated Whitescape; issues have always been met with a confident, ‘can-do’
attitude, and their diligence has set a benchmark for all other contractors on site. Most
valuably, Whitescape has done what is expected, when expected, for the cost expected.
Contractors that consistently manage to achieve all those three things are very rare.
K N B PRICE - Belu Architectural Design & Conservation
”
A proactive approach to Health and Safety was
critical on a site with electricity, water and other
unknowns - including potentially unexploded
bombs. The site adjoins a residential area, so a
pre-start meeting was held and regular updates
given. Consideration and care was exercised at
all times, with strict working hours and controls
on noise and pollution.
10
Whitescape’s role is to provide a technically
excellent result, no matter what potential
difficulties emerge. A ‘can do’ mindset is
essential. With positive and intelligent thinking,
obstacles can always be overcome, and solutions
found, without compromising the outcome. In
this project, we are proud to have satisfied our
customer and shown how our strength, expertise
and attitude enable us to deliver complex projects
with success and certainty.

11
• The brownfield site is in a heavily congested part of London.
The long, narrow, restricted working area with absolutely no
access to adjacent Thames Water filter beds called for precise
scheduling of work programmes, deliveries and other
vehicular movements.
• Timing was difficult: the project began in mid-winter and we
were competing with major contractors for large quantities of
materials in the peak summer period.
• The highly workable programme progressed one step at a time.
This allowed flexibility to plan each stage according to the
ever-changing worksite environment, adapting technical
specifications along the way.
• Planning was particularly critical in the pouring phase when
we had to give 2/3 days notice to suppliers, carefully balancing
the risk of unforeseen factors against the need for
operational continuity.
• Our onsite resource was proficiently managed to ensure that the
right skills were always available and instructions were followed
with absolute attention to detail.
• Whitescape had direct access to architects and consultants,
and evolved a close working relationship with the structural
engineers, as we tackled daily challenges together.
PLANNINGANDRISKMANAGEMENT

12

RESPONDINGTOTHEUNEXPECTED
• The spaghetti junction of pipes, wires
and unknown elements below the ground
required us to maintain constant
vigilance at every stage of a project where
nothing could be taken for granted.
• Unpredicted concrete masses encountered
during the dig meant excavating 30% of
the site to a depth of up to 6m, rather
than the general 2.5m. Additional heavy
equipment was called in to deal with
this complication.
• With six machines and 10 operatives on
site, we were able to separate out the
extra concrete and pipework while
keeping 10 earth removal trucks a day
on turnaround, within the strict
08.00-18.00 working hours.
• 2500m3
of recycled hardcore had to be
delivered to fill the voids left by the
masses of concrete, all during the same
period as 1760m3
of recycled hardcore
was being brought in to construct the
piling mat.
• Over 20 pipes were discovered during
excavations, all of which had to be
identified, tested to see if they were live,
and dealt with accordingly.
• The listed brick boundary wall was found
to be leaning towards the filter beds, to
which we had no access. A steel frame
fixed to the wall and cemented at its base
acted as a counterweight to pull the wall
upright, without damaging its historic
significance.

TheWhitescapecivilengineeringteam
Our Civil Engineering team has all the knowledge and
expertise needed to tackle complex infrastructure projects
across a wide range of sectors. Each member contributes
specialist skills and experience, while the whole team
works together as a seamless unit to deliver the multiple
planning, technical and logistical aspects of the project.
MICHAEL TIERNEY
As Service Leader, Michael works with
customers to understand their needs and
ensure that every aspect of the project is
aligned to meeting their goals.
IAN COX
As Commercial Director, Ian contributes his
specialist expertise to overall design and budget
at the key pre-construction stage.
LUKE BLACKWOOD
As Site Assistant, Luke
provides support and
backup. He is one of
Whitescape’s in-house
trainees, learning our
specialist skills onsite.
13
AUSTIN
HEDGECOCK
As Pre-construction
Manager, Austin
details the building
design and specifies
materials and
components to realise
the architect’s concept.
NICK KNIGHT
As Operations Manager, Nick has overall control
of planning and procurement, working closely
with customers on all operational aspects.

www.whitescape.co.ukwww.whitescape.co.uk
Whitescape Ventures Limited
The Stone Barn,
Brows Farm Business Park,
Farnham Road, Liss,
Hampshire GU33 6JG
T: 01730 894776
F: 01730 894198
E: info@whitescape.co.uk

Whitescape Civil Engineering Case Study

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