CPM News

BPCF speaking at new and free CPD seminar

The British Precast Concrete Federation will be speaking at the CPD RoadSeminar Tour in London on Wednesday, 13th March at the Royal National Hotel, off Russell Square, WC1H 0DG.

To book your place please visit www.cpduk.co.uk where full details of the programme and other seminar details are available

CPM supplies caissons to 2012 Olympic rail project

Carillion Trenchless Solutions, working for Carillion PLC, have completed the North Line upgrade works that diverted the existing sewer mains on the London Overground – Stratford to Richmond Line, as part of the London 2012 Olympics project

The main line at Caledonian Road Station is in a deep cutting between large retaining walls that are over 50 years old which are strutted with oak beams that were required to stay undisturbed as any damage or movement of these could have resulted in potential failures of the retaining walls and surrounding infrastructure.

During negotiations between Carillion Trenchless Solutions and Network Rail, it was agreed that installation under the structures would be made using the guided auger bore trenchless method, as open cut drainage was not suitable.  It was originally intended to sink CPM standard 3000mm and 2000mm caissons as drive and reception pits; however this method was then revised to cofferdams as there were electric and signaling cables alongside the track which required support during the operation.

Carillion Trenchless Solutions, as recommended by Network Rail designers, used CPM Caisson manhole units which are suitable for the very high track loadings compared to traditional manhole sections.

Approximately eight cofferdams were installed along the one mile of live track with the use of 450mm and 600mm jacking pipes so as not to disturb the reinforcements of the retaining walls.                            

Who says students aren't enterprising?

When students at Warwick University were looking for a place to exhibit posters of up and coming events and functions, they wanted something different than traditional walls and banner stands.

So after looking at several options they went for the far less traditional chamber ring and cover slab alternative, which they then painted blue!

CPM sales negotiator, Jemma Casson commented “I’ve seen precast concrete chamber rings being used on assault courses, in zoos and even by the armed forces rather then in a traditional pipeline but never as a banner stand before”.

CPM wins third party accreditation

CPM is pleased to announce that they have received accreditation from one of the world’s leading managers of supplier information, Achilles following successful evaluation of our management systems following an audit at the Mells works.

By becoming part of the supplier management service, CPM has had to identify, qualify and evaluate its practices and CPM believes that the scheme is an important third party accreditation working towards current and future business success.

Redi-Rock - An ideal choice for £30 million redevelopment

CPM has supplied its Redi-Rock modular retaining wall system to John Luffman Trading (JLT) as part of their project for Devon Partnership NHS Trust at Langdon Hospital for the earthworks and groundwork’s in preparation for a £30 million redevelopment at the mental facility outside Dawlish.

The development which is scheduled for completion by Summer 2013 included drainage, retaining walls and concrete floors. 

Retaining walls from CPM benefit from not only being cost effective but is also fast and easy to install as well as having a natural stone look, making it ideal for the surroundings of the new hospital. 

CPM and Hydro International raise a toast to SUDS on a Steep Scottish Mountain Highway

Highway degradation and surface water pollution in an environmentally sensitive area of the Scottish Cairngorms Mountains famous for its whisky production has been tackled with an imaginative SUDS Solution from Hydro International using CPM products which has averted potential road safety problems on the A95.  

Poor drainage, flooding and freezing weather had led to a landslip and extreme surface degradation along a section of the narrow A95 that descends on a 10% gradient with tight bends to the picturesque village of Craigellachie on the River Spey, near Elgin, which is located immediately above the River Fiddich, a tributary of the River Spey and a Special Area of Conservation, the area is also world-renowned for the production of single malt whisky and is an important salmon fishery.  

Therefore control of any surface water runoff would have to include measures which maintained the clarity and purity of the water.

By working with Hydro International’s stormwater design team and CPM's off-site solutions team, BEAR Scotland specified a long term surface water drainage solution which delivered control of surface water flows and minimised any potential pollution from hydrocarbons into the watercourses below.   The solution incorporated three Hydro-Brake®   Flow Controls within pre-cast concrete weir wall chambers and a Downstream Defender® hydrodynamic vortex separator.

Investigations as part of Transport Scotland’s upgrade of this section of the A95 Aviemore to Keith Trunk Road revealed that surface water flowing down the steep hillside had been infiltrating the road foundation structure along the 0.9km stretch near Craigellachie.  The water flow had been washing away the aggregate layers and causing a loss of load bearing capacity, leading to premature wear, edge deterioration, and in one location a landslide that resulted in a retaining wall being constructed. 

“Winter can be quite extreme in the Cairngorms,” explains Darren McLennan, Senior Engineer, BEAR. “Water freezing inside the road structure creates all sorts of problems. 

“Just addressing the road reconstruction without considering the water flow would have resulted in the erosion problem recurring in a few years’ time. We also couldn’t afford to have the water flowing over or under the road structure which could create icing problems in the winter or the risk of further landslips.”

Under the Water Environment (Controlled Activities)(Scotland) Regulations 2011, the drainage from major roads must be subject to control of any diffuse pollution to help meet the objectives of the EU Water Framework Directive.  There were also concerns on the potential of the reconstruction work affecting the water environment, so care was needed to prevent any accidental pollution.

Other restrictions, under the General Binding Rule 10 of The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), stipulate that any road construction must be drained by a SUDS scheme to ensure flow and pollution control.  SEPA Pollution Prevention Guidelines 5 and 8 carefully regulate works which could affect water and look for at least two forms of treatment to the surface water runoff.

“The road is cut very tightly into the hillside, which limits the construction space along much of the stretch of road although there is a small lay-by set into the hillside around the middle of the scheme. There are also a minor road and farm entrance which complicate the road drainage solutions,” Darren continues.

An existing short retaining wall and a series of ditches were proving inadequate, especially as rainfall intensity is increasing with climate change.  Simply improving the ditch volume and water retention with a conventional approach such as cast concrete channels was not an option due to space within the highway boundary. Also, the lack of flow control would risk additional sediment being washed into the river. 

“Because of the gradients, surface area and other site characteristics, the volume calculations were complex.  Hydro was able to design a minimal maintenance SUDS solution providing the required levels of treatment and combining effective flow control with efficient removal of sediments and any hydrocarbon contaminants.”

The basis of the scheme, undertaken by contractor, the Coffey Group, was to excavate and deepen the existing ditches.  These were lined with heavy duty polyethylene to prevent seepage into the road structure then filled with carefully graded filter drain aggregate. Flow through the new channels is limited by a series of check dams before eventually discharging into a new pipeline constructed under the road. 

The water flow in the pipeline is controlled by a series of three precast concrete Hydro-Brake® Flow Control devices, located at 300 metre intervals in weir wall concrete chambers under the road. The controlled discharge of the maximum design flow of the Hydro-Brake® units also enables the pipeline to be used as a temporary storage chamber to help mitigate storm events. 

The last of the three Hydro-Brake® units is located at the downslope end of the pipeline, in front of the Hydro Downstream Defender®.  This device ensures high sediment retention even during storm events, with no re-entrainment, while controlling floatables and providing hydrocarbon separation.  The Downstream Defender® discharges over a reinforced rip rap face set into the embankment to control erosion, and then to the river.

“The result is an elegant solution which meets both the environmental concerns and the serious structural problem.” states Darren. “As the purity of water in the catchment is very important, and the safety of the infrastructure is greatly improved, we have achieved a good result.”

CPM's bespoke solution for a complete drainage package

With a significant number of sharp bends resulting in poor visibility, the A470 Maes yr Helmau to Cross Foxes Improvement Scheme, located within the beautiful countryside of the Snowdonia National Park has been high on the Welsh Government’s programme for trunk road improvements for some time, with site works finally started in late February this year and the Contract being awarded to Alun Griffiths (Contractors) Limited.

The 2.3 km scheme, just south of Dolgellau will improve the existing substandard section of the Cardiff to Glan Conwy trunk road and enhance safety for users, whilst also providing a route for commercial, tourist and local traffic.

With buildability, demonstrating best value and innovation being significant considered factors on this project, Alun Griffiths (Contractors) Ltd were keen to ensure that the road drainage and attenuation elements were progressed and completed on the various phases of the Project within tight timescales in order to minimise exposure from potential run-off and siltation of the sensitive Afon Clywedog whilst also reducing traffic disruption by optimising productivity.

As a demonstration of this commitment, Alun Griffiths (Contractors) Ltd sought the knowledge and expertise of the CPM Group off-site team to provide a bespoke solution to the site drainage and attenuation requirements, developing the Client design to incorporate individual and custom manufactured catchpits and flow control chambers for use within the permanent works. In conjunction with Alun Griffiths (Contractors) Ltd, and after a short consultation period, CPM submitted proposals for 44 number catchpits each with varying inlet and outlet configurations, 18 number stop end bends on the 900mm diameter attenuation pipework and 16 number flow control chambers incorporating a factory cast base and internal weir wall with flow control device.

Both Contractor and Client approval of these quality assured products was given within a short period, allowing factory manufacture to be progressed in accordance with the relevant British and European standard, along with an additional 600 meters of 900mm concrete pipes which are being installed in a fraction of the time and cost usually taken in comparison to conventional methods. Alun Griffiths Contractors Ltd was then afforded the option for delivery and call off to site in accordance with the Accepted Programme.

John P Evans, Roadworks Agent for Alun Griffiths (Contractors) Ltd on the A470 Maes Yr Helmau to Cross Foxes Improvement Scheme firmly believes that “the quality, suitability and benefit of using the CPM products on this Project has without doubt provided a real advantage in regard to minimising disruption and reducing construction costs whilst also improving on the stated programme duration for these activities. CPM’s responsiveness and pro-active approach has also without doubt contributed to the success of the Project to date.”

An exciting invitation for CPM's Sealed Manhole System

CPM has recently exhibited their Perfect Manhole system at the Kings Cross Supply Chain Safety Exhibition in London, which was organised by Kier Construction in a joint venture between BAM, Mansell and Carillion Construction.

CPM was asked to exhibit the precast concrete sealed manhole, as Kier Construction believes it to be an important development in the health and safety of installing concrete manholes on site, with Richard Webber, Safety, Health and Environmental Manager for Kier Construction, Major Projects commenting "this project addresses the hierarchy of risk control by largely removing the need for persons to enter a confined space."

For more details on CPM's sealed manhole systems and bases please call 01179 812791 or email perfect@cpm-group.com

The future is the Sealed Manhole

Since CPM introduced the perfect manhole to the UK in October 2009 it has become an extremely popular method of manhole construction saving on both time and money and Allma Construction has recently installed the sealed manhole system on a Cala Homes development in St Quivox in Ayr.

The development of 43 detached homes is in the scenic surroundings of the Clyde coastline and close to Prestwick International Airport and Allma’s managing director believes that the perfect manhole system from CPM is ideal as the benefits include time savings as you are able to install the system faster and safer than traditional manhole construction and there are obvious health and safety benefits for employees. After using the system he believes the new method is the way forward for all contractors in the future.

Developers, Cala Homes were also delighted with the perfect manhole and are very keen to see the sealed manhole system used on all future developments

New and Free CPD Seminar in Bristol

As part of the CPD UK Road seminar tour for 2012, the CPSA will be holding a seminar entitled "Carbon Footprint demystified: Do we actually understand what a carbon footprint really is?" at the Marriott Court Hotel in Bristol on Thursday, 21st June. The seminar explains the fundementals of carbon accounting, the data required to calculate a carbon footprint and why data reliability counts in carbon footprinting. For further information please visit www.cpduk.co.uk

Counter Terror opens

The Counter Terror Expo at London Olympia is now open.  CPM is exhiting PAS 68 Redi-Rock (HVP) hostile vehicle mitigation modular walling on stand number C46. For more information please visit: 

http://www.counterterrorexpo.com/page.cfm/Action=Exhib/ExhibID=528/loadSearch=141457_3455

CPM to exhibit at Counter Terror Expo 2012

CPM will be exhibiting their Redi-Rock modular hostile vehicle mitigation (HVP) system at the Counter Terror Expo at Olympia, London on the 25th and 26th April on stand number C46.

The PAS 68 walling is an award winning, quick, effective, re-usuable soltion to perimeter hostile attack and is ideal for airports, train stations, military facilities, utility and critical infrastructure and has been successfully used throughout the UK by high profile clients to guard buildings of great importance.

Redi-Rock walling is fast to install as 30m can be laid in circa 1.5 hours and is proven to stop a 7,5 behicle at 48 kmph (30mph). 

To register and find out more please visit www.counterterrorexpo.com

CPM gains BBA Approval

CPM is pleased to announce that their Redi-Rock modular walling has received approval from the BBA (British Board of Agrement).

To gain certification the Redi-Rock concrete blocks were put through a thorough assessment, where production processes, customer perceptions and performance (both past and present) were all verified.

BBA certificates are accepted by Building Control personnel, clients and specifiers throughout the UK and Paul Cartwright, CPM's Director - Commercial UK, believes that BBA approval will help CPM further develop Redi-Rock as the leading gravity wall solution in the UK. Redi-Rock modular walls can now be considered for Highway applications where speed and simplicity of build are most important.

CPM holds the exclusive Territory Agreement to produce and market Redi-Rock in the UK.

See CPM at the National Self Build & Renovation Show

If you’re thinking of building your own house, planning to renovate or have a project that’s underway, then the National Self Build and Renovation show in Swindon is the key to unlocking your dream home.

CPM will have Redi-Rock modular walling and a rainwater havesting tank on display in the outside living area.

The show takes place on the 14/15 April and pre-registration tickets are free - to register please visit www.buildstone.co.uk

CPM's fantastic innovation

Kier North West using subcontractors, G A Prydden is currently installing CPM's Perfect Manholes to a £20 million scheme for the Ellesmere Port Academy in Cheshire.

The project which sees the relocation of two school sites to the new gateway site demonstrates the vision and commitment of sponsors - University of Chester, Chester Council and the Diocese of Chester and Chester West and will provide a catalyst for the regeneration of Ellesmere Port.

Once completed (scheduled for December 2012) the 1350 pupil facility will include eight sports pitches, a 550 seat theatre, a state of the art science resource, allotments and a fully integrated special needs provision that includes a multi-level reflection space.

The building has been carefully designed to maximise learning space by integrating social areas, such as dining space, the sixth form and staffing meeting areas. Designed on three floors, these are also terraces for the junior and senior colleges' staff and sixth form students.

Academy principle Kevin McDermott commented "the new building will be more that a school, it will be an icon for our community; it will enable our students to live their dreams and it will ensure our talented staff can best support outstanding teaching and learning. Our students, staffs and community deserve this."

Since CPM introduced the perfect manhole to the UK in October 2009 it has become an extremely popular method of manhole construction saving on both time and money with Alan Prydden, Managing Director of G A Prydden who installed them on behalf on Kier North West saying "now we have had working practice of the perfect manhole system, we would like to use them extensively due to the speed and ease that the overall solution provides for all drainage applications" and Alan Yound, site manager for Kier North West stating that the perfect manhole is a "a fantastic innovation which resulted in speed of construction and minimised health and safety issues".

Ecobuild success

The world's biggest event for sustainable design, construction and the built environment and the UK's largest construction event of any kind is once again a great success according to Paul Cartwright, CPM's Commercial Director; "we made some great contacts yesterday and today has proven just as busy. I can't wait to see who visits tomorrow, which is the last day of the exhibtion."

Ecobuild success

The world's biggest event for sustainable design, construction and the built environment and the UK's largest construction event of any kind is once again a great success according to Paul Cartwright, CPM's Commercial Director; "we made some great contacts yesterday and today has proven just as busy. I can't wait to see who visits tomorrow, which is the last day of the exhibtion."

Ecobuild opens

Ecobuild promises to be the best show ever this year with CPM joining a whole host of other precasters in the precast pavilion, located next to the concrete house.

CPM has a sealed base chamber and their new Ledgestone Redi-Rock on display.

Ecobuild opens

Ecobuild promises to be the best show ever this year with CPM joining a whole host of other precasters in the precast pavilion, located next to the concrete house.

CPM has a sealed base chamber and their new Ledgestone Redi-Rock on display.

Pump and value chambers made to fit the bill in difficult ground conditions

When award winning contractors, Brandwells began working on a scheme at Helliers Lane, in Cheddar, Somerset on behalf of Leadbitter Construction, they knew that the ambitious development, intended specifically for local residents, was being built to level 3 of the Code for Sustainable Homes and that the site was on poor ground with a high water table.

So when they needed to install a foul pump into a particular bad area, they looked at different methods of achieving the pump without holding up the site, whilst still being competitive. 

It was CPM’s pre-cast concrete offsite solution team who came up with a pre-fitted 2100mm diameter pump chamber and an 1800mm x 2400mm x 2000mm deep valve chamber that fitted the bill, saving on both time and money.

Symon Wheeler from Brandwells believes the design provided the ideal solution. "From setting up pumps to deal with the high water table and establishing the temporary works to provide the earth works support both the pump chamber and valve chamber were placed and back filled within eleven working days. The integrity of the design gave the team involved the security that the chambers would not leak and the accuracy of the manufacture within the chambers was so good that the installation of the pump gear that could have taken four days was completed in just over one. Facing a similar challenge in the future, be it with a pumping station or a large control manhole, I would certainly discuss it with CPM again."

Valve chamber designs have always had a wide range of dimensional requirements from one site to another so manufacturing an off-site pre-cast option is time consuming and always needs to have one off moulds manufactured.

CPM off-site design team has been working on a manufacturing method that would allow a rapid method of constructing a pre-cast valve chamber without the need of one-off moulds and working with Brandwells gave them the opportunity to perfect the design and manufacturing method.

This new manufacturing method allows bespoke variations in rectangular or square chamber size of up to 3000mm wide & 2500mm deep.

Pump Chambers are available in either one-piece or sectional depending on chamber diameter or depth.  

The pump and valve chambers can be factory fitted with additional options such as pipe work, penstocks and non return flap valves, seating pads and ducting and the pump and valve chamber cover slabs can also be manufactured to suit site requirements.

For more information please contact sales@cpm-group.com