Rail Foundations

Aarsleff's Experience

With over three decades of experience in the UK, Aarsleff Ground Engineering has established itself as a leader in delivering cost-effective and innovative works for rail foundations. Our engineers work collaboratively with clients to design and install robust solutions that stand the test of time.

Our team has extensive experience in fulfilling CRE/CEM roles within a civil engineering context, including securing approvals for piling works within the Track Support Zone (TSZ). Additionally, we are well-versed in planning, managing, and executing ALO (Adjacent Line Open) procedures. Our expertise also encompasses the planning and coordination of lifting operations in live rail environments.

Piling Solutions

At the heart of many rail foundations with challenging soil conditions is a piling system tailored to the site’s geotechnical profile and project specifications. Aarsleff is a proud member of the Federation of Piling Specialists. We offer a wide range of piling services for rail infrastructure, including:

Retaining Wall Systems

In rail infrastructure, elevation changes and track realignment often require the use of engineered retaining wall systems to ensure long-term stability and safety. These systems are essential for supporting embankments, cuttings, platform extensions, and bridge abutments in challenging environments. We design and install retaining wall structures that can be tailored specially for rail foundation works, including:

An Aarsleff plant operator installed sheet piles with a large Hitachi excavator. Another construction worker is visible near the sheet piled wall.

Geotechnical Engineering Services

Supporting railway infrastructure goes beyond piling. Many rail environments require robust earth retention and slope stabilisation measures, particularly in areas prone to ground movement, embankment instability, or space constraints. We provide an integrated range of geotechnical engineering services tailored to rail sector challenges, such as:

Our Rail Foundation Projects

Since our establishment, our experienced team has worked on numerous rail projects that require foundation works. Let’s have a look at some of these projects in more detail.

Scarborough Train Care Facility

A blue and yellow train moves along railway tracks. Houses and trees is visible on both side of the railway.

Location: Scarborough, North Yorkshire, England

Between December 2018 and January 2019, Aarsleff was awarded by Graham Construction, in partnership with Network Rail, for the installation of a contiguous piled retaining wall for a new train maintenance facility in Scarborough. The facility was built to provide maintenance and fuelling services for trains operating to and from Scarborough.

The embankment required stabilisation to prevent the risk of collapsing onto the North East Coast mainline. Our team used a Klemm 702 rig to install 24no. 400 mm cased auger piles, ensuring embankment stabilisation without disrupting the mainline during the peak Christmas period. The steel reinforced cages for the piles were also cut into shorter lengths to prevent further risk of the embankment collapsing.

Channel Tunnel Rail Link / High Speed 1

Railway construction site with workers and heavy machinery

Location: Thurrock, Essex, England

Following the government’s approval of the 69-mile HS1 Channel Tunnel Rail Link, the CTRL Contract 310 from West Thames Ribble Lane to Thurrock was tendered and awarded to Morgan-Vinci as a joint venture. The project involved extensive foundation works to support the reinforced concrete track slab, including installing 3,000 precast concrete piles ranging from 9.5m to 18m in length.

Aarsleff secured the piling contract and began work in June 2002 for an 18-month duration. The 600mm x 600m square section precast concrete piles were cast in 14.2m long single-length segments, using Centrum Pile’s self-compacting concrete. A special rigid mechanical joint was also cast into the ends of some piles to achieve the maximum length required on site.

Widnes

Railway tracks and an Aarsleff yellow piling pig under a blue sky

Location: Widnes, Cheshire, England

Split over two phases, TPS Civil Engineering sub-contracted Aarsleff to help revive the foundations of an existing crane rail at a Port in Stobart, Widnes. Our piling team installed 339No. diameter steel tubular piles using a Junttan piling rig. 1 in 8 piles were raked to account for the higher horizontal loads.

The piles offered a robust solution due to existing obstructions within the current foundations. We worked closely with the engineer on site to position the piles appropriately and avoid the existing piles. After the successful completion of Phase 1, we returned to complete Phase 2 of the restoration project.

Build Solid Foundations With Aarsleff

The importance of expertly engineered rail foundations cannot be overstated. Whether supporting new railway lines, platform extensions, bridges, or embankments, the groundworks beneath the surface play a critical role in long-term performance.

Our unique combination of design expertise, cutting-edge rigs, and experienced delivery teams means we can respond rapidly and effectively to the challenges of modern rail projects. From initial consultation to handover, we prioritise communication, collaboration, and transparency, ensuring projects are completed on time, within budget, and to the highest quality standards.

Whether you’re planning a new rail facility or stabilising an embankment, we’re here to help you build from the ground up. Contact Aarsleff today to see how we can help.

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A leading UK ground engineering specialist, focusing on multi-discipline excellence and value engineering. We design and deliver some of the UK’s largest ground engineering projects.

An Aarsleff construction worker wearing a high-visibility jacket and hard hat on a site.

Our vision is to bring confidence to those constructing the landscape of tomorrow .

1947. Central Jutland, Denmark. Per Aarsleff borrowed 10,000 Danish Kroner from his father’s life insurance, bought an excavator, and founded Northern Europe’s leading contracting company.

Our biggest asset, our team is composed of the leading experts in ground engineering. Working with collaboration and cohesion at the core of our business, we can guarantee a quick and founded answer to all your questions.

We recruit and reward our people based on our ‘Step into the Blue’ company culture, where we embrace the core values of Life and Health, Trust, and Responsibility.

We do everything to ensure our team and yours work safely on our sites. With our core value of Life & Health, we see safety as a cultural pillar.

Our ISO accreditations are an assurance to you that we take governance seriously. Read our policies to discover more.

The projects that keep society running. Bridges, buildings, transit and rail facilities, embankment support, marine and offshore facilities, mines, airports, and water projects.

Close-up view of steel reinforcement cages at a construction site. A yellow KLEMM drilling rig is in the background.

Keeping things turning. Sewage Treatment Works, Waste Water Treatment Works, Wind Farms and Wind Turbines, Biomass Plants, and Power stations.

Aarsleff's Junttan PM 20HLC piling rig in operation with two workers present. Another piling rig can be seen in the background.

Meeting society’s needs. Nursing and care homes, MOD buildings, Schools and Universities, and small or large-sized residential developments.

Three piling rigs positioned on a muddy site under a blue sky. Construction workers are seen near the rigs.

Staying on the move. Remediation, bridges, and foundation work are integral to keeping the industry running smoothly.

Aarsleff worker kneeing down on one knee with a yellow piling rig and concrete piles in the background. The worker is wearing high-visibility clothing and a white hard hat.

The landscape of the marketplace. Mega-retail sheds, distribution warehouses, University accommodation, and major supermarket and household name units.

Keeping things afloat. Ports and harbours, coastal defences, river embankments and inland waterways.

An aerial view of the Port of Hanstholm.