Restricted Access Piling for a New Machine Base in Leeds
Dawson Foundation Engineering recently completed a restricted access piling project inside a live paper mill in Leeds, installing bottom-driven steel-cased piles for a new machine base.
The works required compact piling equipment, careful planning and an installation method suited to a busy industrial environment. Using a D1000 piling rig, the team installed 4 No. 273mm diameter bottom-driven steel-cased piles to a depth of 6.0m.
Each pile included reinforcement cages designed to help resist significant shear forces from the proposed machine base.
Project Overview
- Location: Leeds
- Project type: Industrial piling works
- Environment: Live paper mill
- Pile type: Bottom-driven steel-cased piles
- Number of piles: 4 No.
- Pile diameter: 273mm
- Installation depth: 6.0m
- Rig used: D1000 piling rig
- Purpose: New machine base
- Programme: Completed within two days
The Challenge
The main challenge was access. The piling area was located inside an operational paper mill, meaning the team had to work within a restricted internal space while managing the movement of plant and materials into and out of the work area.
Industrial sites of this nature often present a different set of constraints to open construction sites. Access routes, existing machinery, services, working space and ongoing site operations all need to be considered before piling can begin.
In this case, the majority of the two-day programme was spent getting the piling rig into position and removing it from the piling area once the works had been completed.
The Piling Solution
Bottom-driven steel-cased piles were selected for the new machine base. This piling method is well suited to restricted access projects because compact rigs can be used and the process generates minimal spoil compared with bored piling techniques.
The Dawson FE team used a D1000 piling rig to install 4 No. 273mm diameter piles to a depth of 6.0m. Reinforcement cages were included within the piles to resist the significant shear forces associated with the new machine base.
The use of compact piling equipment allowed the works to be completed within the limitations of the live industrial environment while still achieving the required foundation support.
Working Inside a Live Industrial Site
Projects within operational facilities require more than just the correct piling equipment. They also require detailed planning, clear sequencing and a practical understanding of how to work safely around existing operations.
For this project, the team had to plan the works around access restrictions and the movement of the D1000 rig into the piling area. Once in position, the pile installation itself was completed efficiently.
Project Outcome
The restricted access piling works were completed within two days. Despite the access constraints, the team successfully installed all 4 No. 273mm diameter bottom-driven steel-cased piles to the required depth.
The completed piles provided the foundation support required for the new machine base, with reinforcement cages installed to accommodate the project’s shear force requirements.
This project highlights Dawson FE’s ability to deliver piling works in restricted access environments, including live industrial sites where space, access and programme constraints must be carefully managed.
Restricted Access Piling Contractors
Dawson Foundation Engineering specialises in restricted access piling using compact plant and equipment. Our team works across domestic, commercial and industrial sites, including internal piling projects, refurbishment schemes and live operational environments.
For more information about this piling method, visit our bottom-driven steel-cased piles page or view our wider piling services.
To discuss a restricted access piling project, contact Dawson FE.
