Lidl Supermarket Extension, Palmones

Lidl Supermarkets required an extension to the existing supermarket structure; Rock Foundations (SL) designed a scheme that involved a number of new piles to support the proposed structure as well as an underpinning solution to provide additional support to a row of existing columns.

Rock Foundations (SL) was contacted when the original piling contractor found themselves with severe difficulties dealing with the ground conditions comprising of a deep layer of sands and silts, over soft clays, over stiff clays becoming marle/ limestone. A high water table of 2m compounded the problems. A very challenging site with complex, if not treacherous ground conditions.

It was decided that the 300mm diameter RB Drill bar would provide an ideal solution and the MDT MC80 was mobilised to site. The proposed pile proved to be an immediate success and Rock Foundations SL were able to not only complete all 54 number 25m deep main supporting piles without problems but were also able to get the project back on programme to the delight of a frustrated main contractor.

Following completion of the main bearing piles we were asked to provide a solution for the underpinning element of the works, the Klemm 701 was utilised and successfully installed 2 piles per column, the pile type was still the RB Drill Bar but these were a reduced diameter of 200mm to a similar depth of 25m.