Tel. 0870 7771574
Fax 0870 7771577

PROJECT PROFILES: ROAD AND RAIL

Brighton & Hove Bypass

The earthworks contract for the construction of the Hangleton Phase of the A27 bypass involved forming cuttings and embankments through the Chalk of the South Downs. Ashdown was commissioned by the earthworks contractor to carry out in situ density tests, saturated moisture content tests, dynamic probing and cable percussion drilling as part of the compliance testing programme required by the specification.

Involvement in other phases of the bypass has included undertaking in situ plate bearing tests for the design of temporary works supporting the Falmer overbridge and making a contamination assessment of a diesel spillage during site clearance works on the Southwick tunnel.

Railtrack Overbridge, Sydenham, Kent

Ashdown Site Investigation was commissioned to carry out investigations to determine the cause of cracks noted in the walls of the abutment to an existing overbridge. Hand dug trial pits were excavated adjacent to the tracks to reveal the foundations to the abutment and diamond coring was used to establish the thickness of the brickwork forming the walls. Cable percussion boreholes were excavated from road level to establish the materials used to construct the embankment and to obtain information on the underlying soils for the design of new foundations. Reports were produced advising on the cause of the damage and on the alternatives available for foundation repairs.

Slope Maintenance, Railtrack

Long-term slope monitoring and maintenance is an ongoing operation on the cuttings and embankments supporting parts of the East Coast main line. Monitoring equipment has been installed in boreholes formed over numerous sections of the line by our PTS-trained staff. Installation has been achieved by the use of hand operated portable equipment in order to overcome difficult access problems. Instrumentation has included the installation of inclinometers and piezometers into boreholes sunk using window sampling and hand auger equipment.

Home Page / Project Profiles / Road and Rail