Enabling works at a new Academy in Kent
Longfield Academy for Kent County Council
Client: Kent County Council
Main Contractor: Carillion Package Contractor: Knight Build
Engineers: Campbell Reith
On behalf of Carillion’s subcontractors Knight Build, CON-FORM implemented an enabling works package to support the development of a new school, Longfield Academy for Kent County Council.
The contract which included site clearance, earthworks, e-found, and stabilisation was completed in one visit split into 4 Phases. The overall duration for both phases was 7 weeks, however, the phased handover allowed Kinght Build to gain full access to Phase 1 at the end of week 3 of our contract.
After the initial topsoil strip and prior to the site being cut and filled to the finished levels, areas under the building footprint and external yard were re-engineered by means of excavation, stabilisati
on and RDC as deemed necessary to achieve a bearing of 150 Kn/m2 under the foundations and 30Kn/m2 under the floor slab and to achieve settlement characteristics in line with the BRE Digest Specification.
Over the remainder of the site, the fill material was modified where necessary to achieve a minimum of 5% CBR in the lower layers of fill.
The top layer over the building footprint and haul roads was then stabilised to achieve 30% CBR to act as a working platform, with the top layer over the carriageways and car parks being stabilised to 15% CBR to act as a capping replacement and minimise the requirement to import virgin aggregates.
On completion of stabilisation, the surface was trimmed to grade prior to a layer of Type 1 stone being pushed out to act as a protective layer for follow on works and ultimately become part of the construction make-ups.
Key Benefits of the CON-FORM Solution
- Adoption of the CON-FORM solution brought technical, environmental and financial advantages.
- Phased approach allowed construction to commence quicker.
- E-found solution allowed normal pad footings and a ground bearing floor slab.
- Long term settlement issues are addressed with the application of Rolling Dynamic Compaction alongside standard method compaction techniques.