Client:
JML Contracts, with LDN Architects
Location:
Loch Tay, Kenmore, Scotland
Project:
Visitor Centre at The Scottish Crannog Centre
Services:
• Site survey, load testing and reporting
• Supply and installation of screw piles
• Supply and installation of bespoke pile caps
Products:
• 44 no. RADIX Extendable Screw Piles, 89mm diameter to 5.0m depth
• Bespoke pile caps to interface with modular building structural frame
Low-impact, temporary ground screw pile foundations
The Scottish Crannog Centre required a sustainable and low-impact foundation solution to support their new Visitor Centre set on the idyllic shores of Loch Tay.
The Visitor Centre would comprise two new modular eco-buildings that would be interlinked. One of the buildings accommodates a museum and staff office whilst the other a new reception, retail area and café facility.
A solution was required to address their need for a temporary foundation, as the plan is to relocate the modular buildings to another area of the site and enable the future expansion of the Iron Age Village.
As the centre is situated in a preservation area, the surrounding trees are under a tree protection order and cannot be disturbed or uprooted. Ground conditions also required a piled foundation to transfer axial loads to the load-bearing ground. To ensure there is no damage to the surrounding environment and guarantee a stable foundation RADIX specified a sustainable ground screw pile solution.
Reversible foundation solution in a preservation area
RADIX Screw Piles are a low-impact alternative to traditional foundations and a fantastic method for securing temporary structures. Each screw pile can be removed easily without causing damage to the surrounding landscape, allowing the site to be returned to its natural state or repurposed for future development and protecting neighbouring verdant terrain from upheaval.
This solution was ideal for the centre to ensure their plans for relocating the modular build visitor centre would be achievable in the future.
We installed 44 no. RADIX EXT Screw Piles using our hydraulic and agile tracked installation machine, DUG. With DUG's assistance, our expert installation team installed each screw pile to approximately 5.0m to ensure good load-bearing capacity. Installation was completed over two days and ahead of the contract programme.
