Largest circular precast weir wall chamber installed
The CPM Group has supplied the UK’s largest circular precast weir wall chamber to the prestigious Erith Park development, as part of the £60m phase 2 programme of drainage and enabling works.
Ground worker and civil contractor, O’Keefe Construction took delivery of the precast weir wall chamber in June after the off-site solution was made at CPM’s Pollington works in Yorkshire following their new production facility that was built last year.
The precast concrete weir wall chamber was delivered with a hydro-brake® fitted, complete with a preformed base and inlet holes that were formed prior to delivery to suit the site’s exact requirements.
Once the weir wall was lifted into place, the connecting pipework was installed, saving O’Keefe installation time and benefitting from the open excavation being closed quicker.
The weir wall was needed in such a large chamber (3660mm) due to the head and flow rate requirements, which were 4.81m head and a flow rate of 174 litres per second and a precast option was needed due to the pressure on the stainless steel hydro-brake® inside the chamber.
Ross Halliday, Project Manager for O’Keefe Construction said: “The build of the chamber was that of a complex one for all to carry out. Not only was the chamber the largest of its size in the UK there was also the added elements of delivery access and depth of excavation in close proximity to public interface.
CPM were on board with all the design elements from the moment go, taking into account all the relative requirements that made this build such a unique item. Special thanks to Steve Callow, CPM’s Proposal Manager who was on hand to deal with all the design changes and queries raised through design, manufacture and install process.
The install process was as smooth as could be from a project manager’s point of view. The delivery arrived on time and as planned. Myself and the team programmed day one to consist of install of the base unit, secondary ring and weir wall containing hydro-break unit. Steve was on site to assist with the first and most technical element of the build along with Adrian Steele from CPM to monitor and give guidance on quality with regard to sealants and site specifics.
Together the O’Keefe Site team along with guidance from CPM achieved the programmed works for day one setting up the completion of the build to continue in a safe and productive manor.
Big thanks to the guys at CPM for assisting us in carrying out this changeling operation with such procession and efficiency”.