Project Overview
This week, Dawson Foundation Engineering (DFE) successfully completed specialist piling works in Wilmslow, delivering sectional flight auger (SFA) piling with 300mm diameter bored piles within an existing structure. The project presented several technical challenges, most notably restricted headroom of just 3.0 metres in certain areas, requiring careful planning, specialist equipment and responsive engineering input.
Scope of Works
DFE was appointed to design and install SFA piles to depths of up to 10.0 metres, ensuring the foundations met both structural and programme requirements. All piles were installed internally, within a live building environment, demanding a high level of control, coordination and attention to health and safety typical of commercial piling works.
Key elements of the works included:
- Installation of 300mm diameter SFA bored piles
- Piling to depths of up to 10.0m
- Working within severely restricted headroom using specialist low headroom piling solutions
- Use of site-batched grout for pile formation
- Installation of reinforcement cages to resist shear and tensile forces
Engineering Challenges & Solutions
During installation, ground obstructions were encountered at several original pile locations. Thanks to DFE’s in-house design team, pile layouts and design solutions were revised immediately, allowing works to continue without impacting programme or quality.
This integrated design-and-delivery approach ensured:
- Minimal disruption to site activities
- Rapid resolution of unforeseen ground conditions
- Continued compliance with structural performance requirements
Quality & Performance
All piles were formed using controlled grouting techniques and reinforced as required to suit the applied loads. Working in confined internal conditions required precise execution, with specialist low-headroom piling rigs deployed to safely and efficiently deliver the works.
The result was a robust foundation solution installed on time, despite the constraints imposed by the existing structure.
Our Expertise
Dawson Foundation Engineering designs and installs a full range of piling services, including:
- Continuous Flight Auger (CFA) piles
- Sectional Flight Auger (SFA) piles
- Bottom-driven piles
- ODEX piles
- Screw piles
- Associated reinforced concrete (R.C) works
With in-house design expertise and a flexible delivery team, DFE is well positioned to overcome complex ground conditions, restricted access and challenging site environments. To view more of our recent projects, visit our Our Work page.