La Casita

Pile Type: Steel cased driven piles & raised slab 

Number of Piles: 27no.

Diameter: 273mm

Depth: 7m - 9m

La Casita is located adjacent to the River Thames and therefore, the possibility of flooding was highlighted as a prominent risk for this particular project at tender stage.

The project was unconventional as it had numerous strict planning conditions, one notably was for the floor level to be raised 1.3m above existing ground level to mitigate the flood risk. The site also had extremely tight access and was located directly adjacent to the Thames, which again increased potential risks and hazards present on site. Due to the height of the slab, traditional formwork could not be used and therefore, our temporary works engineer designed a bespoke formwork scheme to ensure we meet the most up to date health and safety standards, in addition to providing the most cost efficient method of construction. 

Able designed a bespoke engineered solution which involved supplying and installing 27no. 273mm diameter Steel cased driven (SCD) piles using a HL1200 piling rig, and constructing an elevated 225mm thick RC slab at 1.3m above existing ground level to allow the groundwater to flow beneath. The temporary works consisted of a raised platform, utilising scaffolding beams to construct the formwork, installing our piles protruding out of the ground and being cut down to the correct level. SCD piles were chosen as the site was restricted access and using this method limited the size of the ancillary equipment. This method also produced no spoil, which in turn provided the client with a value engineered solution appropriate for the site and soil conditions present.

After completion, our ingeuity was recongnised by the Association of Specialist Underpinning Contractors (ASUC) and were awarded "Project of the Year" within the £100,000 category.