The challenge
Forming part of the Ayrshire Resilience Project, Scottish Water is working to connect the Glasgow Trunk Main Network with supplies in Ayrshire. Once completed, this upgrade will further strengthen the existing water infrastructure, increase capacity to ensure the network will be able to meet future demands in the area, and provide a two-way water supply between two of the main Water Treatment Works (WTW). This means that, in the event of an emergency, water can continue to be supplied to approximately one million homes and businesses in the Glasgow, Ayrshire and East Renfrewshire regions.
The third phase of this work, named the C1a Project, features a new 12km pipeline between the main network in Glasgow and further supplies in Ayrshire, strengthening the existing water supply. Additionally, the new upgrade means the system has the ability to convey flow in both directions and combines new assets in Highlees and Amlaird. In order to deliver these upgrades safely and efficiently, a range of temporary works solutions were required by CWA, who appointed us to support this stage of the project.
We undertook the design and supply of the temporary works element on the Edmiston Drive section of the project, which involved tying the new line to the existing network. By the very nature of the works there were a number of challenges to overcome for the contractor, the most important of which being the management of the interaction between the temporary works and the permanent works, service crossings and public interface.
Our solution
Jamie McLachlan, Regional Sales Manager at Mabey Hire explained further: “Given these challenges, it was important that we were able to engage early on with CWA on this project, utilising our design expertise to come up with a practical and efficient temporary works design. We also developed a digital model to allow the CWA team to explore the scheme in EVE, our fully immersive 3D environment. This enhanced visibility was key in enabling us to identify clashes with the new and existing structures, as well as observing service crossings to be encompassed within our design. Additionally, EVE has allowed clients, such as CWA, to engage better with their key stakeholders, keeping them better informed as to the progress they are making in projects such as this and the key considerations at the pre-construction stage.
“We supplied a variety of equipment for this main stage of the project, such as our trench boxes, as well as a range of traditional sheets and walers, for the installation of the new pipeline. The nature of the project required us to be agile with the design element, in particular the practicality of our temporary works systems in both busy residential areas of the city as well as public parks and roadways.”
Speaking about the use of EVE, Graeme Dobbin, Project Manager from Caledonia Water Alliance added: “Using Mabey Hire’s EVE software allowed our construction team to plan and implement the works on site, as well as supporting us in reviewing the correct sequence, buildability and detailing any clashes which we’d need to overcome.
“The software also gave the onsite team a great visual representation of the works to be undertaken, which was an invaluable asset when completing this project, due to working around live services. Here Mabey Hire were a great help, keeping in constant communication and working closely with us to develop a solution for any problems that arose.”
In addition to the main installation of the new pipeline, a number of OXO (hydrant, gate valve, hydrant) connection sections had to be installed every 1km, allowing for the future isolation of the line in the event of repairs or maintenance needing to be carried out. We designed and supplied a combination of medium duty bracing, as well as HD lapped trench sheets for the 9m x 4.5m x 4m cofferdam to facilitate the incorporation of these OXO sections.
When it comes to utility projects, working in highly congested areas can be a common occurrence, with existing services, site constraints, tight programming dates and utility isolations to consider. As a result, it is important that projects of this nature are handled with due care and diligence, in collaboration with experienced partners, as Graeme explained: “Mabey Hire are one of the Scottish Water Framework’s suppliers and after speaking to Jamie McLachlan, we were convinced of the viability of not only their temporary works equipment, but also the EVE digital software.”
EVE uses immersive technology to create intuitive 3D designs for construction projects and can incorporate all aspects of temporary works. By rendering a fully explorable visualisation of a project, EVE allows users to explore and interact with their design in a real-world environment, with the ability to view accurate measurements of the site geometry. Not only this, but each product has its own embedded metadata within EVE allowing users to develop their own project specific Risk Assessment Method Statements (RAMS), including lift plans. This can all help to streamline 3D workflows and integrate directly with BIM models in one virtual environment.
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