Van Elle team recently completed works at the Royal Clarence redevelopment site in Exeter, where our specialist piling team delivered a complex piling package within a highly constrained city centre environment on behalf of NooKo.
The scheme involved operations across both upper and basement levels, requiring meticulous planning, specialist equipment and close coordination to safely execute works within extremely restricted access conditions.Our scope comprised the installation of Sectional Flight Auger (SFA) piles to support the redevelopment works.
Throughout the programme, the team encountered several obstructions across the upper levels. These were successfully managed using casing techniques down to obstruction level, followed by down-the-hole hammer (DTHH) methods to safely penetrate the obstructions, which were typically identified between 3m and 4m below piling platform level (PPL).
Due to the highly restricted basement working area, operations were undertaken using a Klemm 702 rig, which was carefully craned over existing structures to access the site.
This approach demanded detailed logistical planning and continual coordination to maintain both safety and productivity throughout the programme.
Simultaneously, a Klemm 708 rig operated across the upper levels, enabling efficient parallel working and maintaining strong programme performance despite the challenging environment.
Despite significant access constraints and difficult ground conditions, the Royal Clarence scheme was delivered safely and on programme, demonstrating our team’s technical expertise and capability in specialist piling solutions within complex urban environments.
For more information about our specialist piling and geotechnical solutions, please contact the team at enquiries@van-elle.co.uk.
