Didcot, Oxfordshire
Installation of 2,436 precast concrete piles in 4 diameters for a new office and warehouse unit.
Data
2,436 No. driven precast concrete piles, sized 200/250/300/350mm sq.
Client
KKB
Challenges
Tight schedule, large scope and challenging ground conditions involving Gault Clay.
Aarsleff Ground Engineering was contracted by KKB to supply and install
2,436 No. driven precast concrete piles, sized 200/250/300/350mm sq., for the
foundation works of a new office and warehouse unit in Abingdon. With a tight
schedule and challenging geotechnical conditions, the project required precision,
efficiency, and deep understanding of subsurface materials.
The project was situated on a site underlain by Gault Clay, a stiff, over-consolidated clay known for its complex but well-documented behaviour. Unlikeother soil types, Gault Clay offers a high setup effect, meaning that driven piles gain additional bearing capacity over time after installation. This characteristic made driven piles an ideal choice over bored piles, which can be susceptible to wall softening during excavation in similar soils.
While the project didn’t require in-house design, there was strong potential for
value engineering. Aarsleff capitalised on the known behaviour of the Gault Clay to
optimise pile lengths, reducing unnecessary material use and cutting down on install times, without compromising on performance. This not only brought cost savings but also
environmental benefits. Despite the large volume of piles and the relatively short timeframe, Aarsleff delivered the works efficiently and to programme. Technical experience, close monitoring, and seamless coordination across site teams ensured quality and consistency throughout.
By proactively identifying VE opportunities and delivering a robust, well-executed
piling solution, Aarsleff added real value to the project, helping KKB meet both
budget and schedule expectations while ensuring a stable foundation for the future
development.
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