Airbles Road, Motherwell

Mansell Construction Services, part of the Balfour Beatty Group, were the Main Contractor for the construction of a three storey new build office development of approximately 21,000 sq ft complete with hard and soft landscaping on an existing brownfield site.

Following our successful and timely completion of the bulk earthworks, Story Construction Ltd was entrusted to undertake the drainage, sub-structure, hard and soft landscaping works.

The substructure initially comprised the casting of reinforced in situ concrete pile caps. Cast as a head to a group of piles, the pile cap transfers the load from the structures to a pile group, then the load further transfers to firm soil. A ground beam was then cast to connect the pile caps to form a continuous foundation.

Since the development was constructed on a brownfield site where toxic and hazardous gases are present, an Alderprufe Gas Barrier System was installed. This self adhesive membrane was applied to concrete to protect against the ingress of gases from the ground but also to protect the building against water penetration and therefore provide a high performance damp proof membrane. In addition, in order to provide a large flow void space below the structural slab an Aldervent Geo-Void ventilation system was installed on top of the formation level.

The remainder of the works included the installation of all the site drainage including a petrol interceptor and Tubosider water holding tank together with the installation of ducting for all incoming site services all the completion external hard and soft landscaping.

Outstanding Project Contribution

Due to tight programme constraints, and the undertaking of additional works following the discovery of obstructions within the ground whilst piling, it was imperative that the sub-structure works were accelerated to ensure that the structural steelwork commenced in earnest.

Due to our ‘can do’ attitude and significant suitable resource, we were able to complete our reinforced concrete foundation work in line with the original construction programme.