16/04/07 Successful completion of ground consolidation project for housing association

A £400,000 ground consolidation project for the Canmore Housing Association has provided vital support for its home renovation programme in the Gilmerton area of Edinburgh.

The contract at Hyvots Green, which was carried out by ground engineering specialist Consolidate, involved the consolidation of old shallow mine workings beneath occupied houses.

Working with main contractor Lovell Construction in conjunction with Dunfermline-based consultants Mason Evans Partnership, Consolidate engineers carried out the tricky project by drilling angled bore holes into two shallow mini-mine seams lying underneath the houses.

Around 100 holes were drilled, which were then infilled with a pulverised fuel ash (PFA)/cement grout mixture to stabilise the ground. A total of seven housing blocks were treated.

A number of ditches were dug to ensure an adequate angle of attack for the bore holes and also to avoid any potential conflict with household utility connections.

Safety and the minimisation of disturbance to householders were the top priorities during the project. This process was aided by Consolidate site foreman Jamie Campbell who liaised closely with the Tenant Liaison Officer and the main contractor.

Paul Burns, Consolidate Contracts Manager, said: “We have developed a reputation for successfully completing ground stabilisation projects under occupied buildings and this was a key reason for us winning this latest project.

“The prime areas of importance are to avoid overhead and subterranean utility connections and also to ensure the safety and well-being of the tenants at all times.”