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 strengthen the existing water infrastructure, increase capacity to ensure the network will be able to meet future demands, 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 12km pipeline between the main network in Glasgow and further supplies in Ayrshire. The 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, with Mabey Hire appointed to support this stage of the project.
Mabey 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. A number of challenges had to be overcome, the most important of which was the management of the interaction between the temporary works and the permanent works, service crossings and public interface.
Jamie McLachlan, regional sales manager from Mabey Hire, said, “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.”
Graeme Dobbin, project manager from CWA, 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.”
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 required. Mabey 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.
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, Mabey explained that 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. 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.
