Restricted Access SFA Piling
The piling solution was developed around the structural loading requirements, available ground investigation information and the significant access restrictions.
The works comprised 23 No. 300 mm diameter SFA piles, installed to an average depth of approximately 10.5–11.0 m.
The engineering package included:
The selected solution transferred the structural loads through the variable near-surface deposits and into the competent underlying strata.
A key challenge was delivering the piling works within the available access and working-space restrictions.
Metro Piling mobilised a compact Cobra T12000 piling rig, allowing the SFA piles to be installed safely and efficiently without requiring a conventional large CFA piling rig.
The SFA technique uses sectional augers, making it particularly suitable for sites where headroom, access or working space restrict the use of larger piling equipment.
Each pile was reinforced using purpose-designed reinforcement cages, with the reinforcement installed following completion of the pile.
Ground conditions comprised approximately 4 m of made ground over clay, together with high groundwater.
The piling methodology was selected to maintain bore stability and provide reliable pile construction through these challenging conditions.
Careful control of the drilling and concreting process was maintained throughout the works, with pile installation records produced as part of the quality assurance procedure.
Restricted access meant that mobilisation, concrete deliveries, reinforcement handling and supporting plant had to be carefully coordinated.
Metro Piling worked closely with the main contractor to manage the piling sequence, working platform, setting-out points, concrete operations and site logistics.
Despite the challenging conditions and restricted working environment, all 23 piles were successfully completed, the piling rig was demobilised and the working area was left clean and ready for the following construction activities.
Barnet & Southgate College demonstrates Metro Piling Group’s capability to deliver specialist foundation solutions where restricted access and difficult ground conditions make conventional piling methods impractical.
From pile design and planning through to mobilisation, installation and completion, the works were delivered as a coordinated specialist piling package.
Restricted access. Challenging ground conditions. Engineered piling solutions.
Mobilisation on site
SFA piling in progress
Restricted access working area
Compact equipment for tight access
Working within live college environment
All 23 piles were successfully completed, with the piling rig demobilised and the site left clean and ready for the next phase of construction. Barnet & Southgate College demonstrates Metro Piling Group's capability to deliver specialist foundation solutions in restricted access locations and challenging ground conditions.
"Specialist solutions for complex environments."
