Sheffield Rapid Impact Compaction

Rapid Impact Compaction Rig in operation at National Ice Centre, Sheffield

Project Description
As part of the regeneration of the former
steelworks area of Attercliffe the Sheffield City
Trust proposed the construction of the National
Ice Centre, to become a venue for training and
competitive ice sports. Prior to this
development the steelworks had been
demolished leaving old basement areas
backfilled with up to 2.5 metres of demolition
rubble fill. The consulting engineer, Building
Design Partnership sought to use ground
improvement to provide 50kN/m2 bearing
capacity for the new complex. Pennine
proposed the use of rapid impact compaction
that was considerably cheaper than the use of
vibro stone columns.
Design
Design Solution

20 blows from a 7 tonne hammer falling 1

metre onto a 1500mm diameter plate.
Working for main contractor HBG Construction
North East Ltd. the work was completed in 12
shifts. Compaction checks along with 10 plate
load tests demonstrated that the required
bearing had been provided.
The works were completed in May 2002
enabling the foundations to be constructed
without any excavation to the natural firm clay
deposits.
Rapid impact compaction is an economic
technique to improve the bearing capacity of
granular material to depths of up to 3-4 metres;
it is unique to Pennine.

The total area of ground to treat was some

8,640m2 which required two passes to achieve
the compaction, each imprint receiving
www.pennine.co.uk