Wesham, Coronation Way

Portal Construction engaged Menard to undertake ground improvement works beneath the new HTI headquarters building in Wesham, utilising Controlled Modulus Columns (CMC) technology. The project was delivered over a six-week period, initially using a single CMC rig. To ensure timely completion, a second rig was mobilised towards the latter stages of the programme.

Cone Penetration Tests (CPTs) were conducted to support the finalisation of the ground improvement design. Two soil models were considered during the design phase, typically comprising cement-stabilised sands underlain by natural silty clay, which was in turn underlain by natural sands. Treatment depths across the building footprint varied between 3.5 metres and 11.1 metres.

Menard proposed the use of Controlled Modulus Columns (CMC) as a ground improvement technique to facilitate the adoption of shallow foundations. This solution offered both cost and programme advantages over the originally proposed piled foundation scheme. The CMC system was designed to limit residual settlements to 25 mm, maintain relative differential settlements below 1/750, and increase the allowable bearing capacity to 200 kPa beneath footings and 65 kPa beneath the floor slab.

By the conclusion of the project, more than 2,750 CMCs had been installed, amounting to a combined length in excess of 22,400 linear metres. To verify performance and quality, ten plate load tests were conducted throughout the works.