Procedure for installing one piece caisson units

stage 1
1. Excavate an area at least 1.0m deep and 200mm greater than the external diameter of the caisson unit.

2. Surround the base section (immediately above the cutting edge) with 10 - 15mm thick polystyrene sheet to provide an annulus.

3. Position the base accurately for position and level. Where practical the section should be positioned so that inlet/outlet openings to the shaft avoid the vertical tie bars.

4. The annulus between the base and the excavation should be filled with concrete (minimum Gr. 20) to form a complete collar; this provides permanent support to the shaft excavation and acts as a guide collar for shaft sinking.

5. Once the concrete has hardened the polystyrene wrapping can be dissolved using a suitable chemical. The shaft is now ready for sinking.

6. Fit the threaded tie bars into the hexagonal couplers already on the base unit. Screw in the thread 25mm. The top surface of the base should be cleaned and the rubber sealing strip positioned in the groove provided. The strip should overlap vertically by 50mm at the ends.

page 1 OF 2

stage 2
7. Lift and position the next section using a three leg chain and lifting loops screwed into the lifting sockets on the upper surface. The lower surface of the section should be cleaned. Ensure that the joint arrows provided on the inside surface match up.

8. Fit the steel washers and hexagonal couplers over the tie bars and tighten to a torque of 100 N-m.

9. The caisson units are sunk by excavation within the shaft using a hydraulic grab mounted on a suitable excavator.

12. Excavation should proceed and caisson units added until the required depth is reached.

10. The caisson will sink under its own weight in very soft ground but in harder ground pressure may need to be applied to the top section.

13. A standard M16 nut should be fitted instead of the hexagonal coupler on the last permanent section. This allows a cover slab to seat correctly on the unit and provide a seal

11. The shaft should be checked for accuracy of sinking by using a spirit level or plumb line; adjustments can be made by applying pressure to the high point. Selective excavation of ground will also help to control the sinking.

14. At shallow depths it is not normally necessary to grout the annulus except where the shaft is to be used as jacking pit.

Buchan Concrete solutions, Kings Lane, Byley, Middlewich, Cheshire CW10 9NB T: +44 (0) 1606 843500 info@buchanconcrete.com www.buchanconcrete.com An AMEC company page 2

OF 2