Electrifying transmission tower in Stalybridge

TGS was contracted by UK and Ireland-based system integrator Omexom to provide essential services for a project in Stalybridge, Greater Manchester, UK. Our team’s initial feasibility advice regarding the cost and solutions needed facilitated an expanded role for us in the project.

The Project

The primary aspect of the project involved our teams designing, building and installing the bearing piles for a new electricity transmission tower. The tower’s location close to a live substation, a primary A-road and a river enabled us to combine several skills and showcase our cohesive working style. Additional complexities involved working in a restricted-access area with live overhead power lines. We had to analyse the multiple load cases to ensure we used the correct equipment, in addition to planning for removing spoil and delivering materials.

The Solutions

Our team installed three piles under the four tower legs to carry a combination of compression, tension, shear and moment loads. Because of the proximity of live overhead cables, we used a Klemm 708 rig with a short mast. Using the rotary boring technique, we installed the 450 mm piles 12 m below ground level. Difficult ground conditions and site logistics meant we used neat cement grout throughout the project, combined with full-depth reinforcement. TGS carefully considered the site restrictions to ensure the work did not negatively affect the river and main road.