SUBSTRUCTURE

Knowledge of the existing ground conditions is crucial to the correct choice of substructure for any proposed development.

Although PRO Structures are not geotechnical engineers, we have forged strong links with several local geotechnical consultants and have successfully project managed several site investigations with them on behalf of our clients. We are skilled at assessing what scope of geotechnical testing will be required to meet the client’s budget, while conforming to the substructure structural design and building control sign-off requirements.

We have experience of identifying the optimum forms of building substructure needed, such as vibrated displacement piles, vibrated stone columns, ground compaction and raft foundations, which dependent on the circumstances could save build costs and offer best value to the contractor.

On the design front, we use the latest release of MasterSeries’ and TEDDS reinforced concrete design packages, including both foundation and retaining wall design suites. All designs can be undertaken to the commonly used British standards, as well as to the new Eurocodes if required.

Examples of projects where PRO Structures has successfully offered substructure design and geotechnical assistance include:

•  Brade Drive: The new residential development at Brade Drive in Coventry – the apartment blocks are to be built upon a layer of fill material some 2m in depth, hence we specified driven precast concrete piles with reinforced concrete ground beams.
•  Coniston Community Centre Phase 2 Extension, Bristol – we specified a cantilevering reinforced concrete ground beam with RC pads substructure support scheme to support the new superstructure loads, so they do not affect the existing scheme’s deep strip foundations.
•  Unit 8 Trubody’s Yard, Warmley, Bristol – we project managed the geotechnical investigation for the proposed new build as well as designing the new piled foundations and reinforced concrete ground beam general arrangement.
•  The Eldon House Public House, Clifton – we designed a new external masonry cavity reinforced concrete retaining wall, to retain the existing highway as part of the new partial basement extension to the property.

For more information, do get in touch via the contact form or email us on info@prostructures.co.uk