Novo Nordisk

Quinn Piling was appointed by Walls Construction Limited to deliver the piling works associated with the expansion of the Novo Nordisk pharmaceutical facility in Athlone.

The project comprised the construction of a secant piled retaining wall to support an existing bank and facilitate development into the slope. In addition to the retaining structure, foundation piles were installed to support the wider development.

Working in hard, rocky ground conditions throughout the site, the project required the use of cased CFA piling techniques to achieve the required pile depths and performance criteria.

Piling Scope & Details

• Installation of 85no. 900mm diameter cased CFA secant wall piles.
• Secant wall constructed to retain the existing bank and enable construction into the slope.
• Installation of 28no. 610mm diameter cased CFA foundation piles.
• All piles installed in hard, rocky ground conditions.

Challenges

The principal challenge on the project was the consistently hard, rocky ground encountered across the site.

Construction of the secant wall adjacent to the existing slope required precise pile positioning and overlap to ensure the integrity of the retaining structure while maintaining programme requirements.

The combination of retaining wall and foundation piling works also required careful coordination to ensure efficient project delivery.

Solution

Quinn Piling utilised cased CFA piling techniques for both the secant wall and foundation elements of the project.

The 85no. secant wall piles provided a robust retaining solution, allowing excavation and construction works to progress safely into the slope. The 28no. foundation piles formed part of the permanent support system for the pharmaceutical facility expansion.

Through careful planning and execution, the works were completed safely and efficiently, providing the client with a reliable retaining and foundation solution despite the challenging ground conditions.

Outcome

The project was successfully completed on programme, delivering both the retaining wall and foundation package required to support the ongoing expansion of the Novo Nordisk facility in Athlone.