Link proposed two options:

Rolling Dynamic Compaction (High Energy Impact Compaction) combined with either piled foundations or Controlled Modulus Columns (CMC). The RDC would work to densify the landfill and induce settlement, thereby reducing the long – term settlement risk and mitigating potential differential settlement within the variable landfill materials. This would have the added benefit of reduced muck away. The choice of piles or CMC was to enable either a piled or traditional spread foundation design based on the client’s preference.

Given the extensive below ground drainage situated below the water table, they chose to pile these against uplift meaning a piling was overall more economical to the scheme. Shallower drainage would have enabled site wide CMC and control settlement of the external yard more tightly leading to lower future maintenance. The foundation costs would also have been reduced.

Enabling Works

Once on site, Mclaren also engaged Link to provide periodic Earthworks support, slope inspections and provide a Design Verification Report for the enabling works phase of the scheme.

During this period of work, Link engineers were on hand to support McLaren with any earthworks issues that may have arisen and resolve queries from the earthworks contractor. A Link Engineer visited site fortnightly to see progress, check testing against the specification and complete required slope inspections.

Upon completion of the enabling works Link produced a Verification Report synthesising the ground improvement and earthworks undertaking and concluding that the works were in accordance with the design and would perform as anticipated.