Pile Matt, Design & Construction
BibbEgan Demolition & Strip Out can provide advice and assistance with the design of temporary working platforms for construction plant, investigating the site (pile probing) and testing the solution in situ.
Pile mats and crane bases must be designed specifically for the relevant ground conditions and the form of the loading exerted by the plant that will operate on it. Selecting the most suitable type of pile foundations relies on our expert knowledge of the physical properties of each load-bearing soil layer, and the best method of pile mat installation, combined with all the findings from the site investigation. Independent laboratories sample and test the material, providing appropriate certification.
Waste materials from demolition can be used for piling mats – crushed brick, concrete and cement-based products to create 6F2, from 75mm down to dust, in line with the Highways Specification 600 Series. This contributes to our commitment to re-use as much on-site arisings as possible, and also saves on transport of materials, with its cost and environmental implications.
The general process of pile mat construction, carried out by a team of highly competent personnel, is as follows, with the design engineer approving each stage before work continues:
- Reduce ground to required level for piling
- Proof roll the substrate
- Dig out soft spots and fill them with 6F5
- Proof roll again and carry out Plate Bearing Tests (PBTs) to the required shear value
- Spread out 6F2 to required thickness and lay geotextile if required
- Roll and compact each layer, continuing with PBTs
On completion, we fill out the WPC (Working Platform Certificate) and issue it to the follow-on contractor who will sign it off.
Once the pile mat is put in place, a rigorous maintenance and repair schedule must be instigated to ensure the plant will remain stable for the duration of the project.
