Why Steel Outperforms Concrete in Blast Zones

Pile boring is a construction method for deep foundations where a large diameter cylindrical hole is drilled into the ground, a steel reinforcement cage is lowered into it, and then the hole is filled with concrete to form a load-bearing pile. This method is ideal for high-capacity structures in difficult soil conditions, as it minimizes noise and vibration and can be used for large diameters and significant depths, often transferring structural loads to deeper, more stable soil or rock layers.

Structural concrete specifications such as DTP Section 610 (Structural Concrete) for the construction of bridges and other major concrete infrastructure assets do not specify that honeycombed concrete is required in a concrete structure to last for 100 years! On the contrary they specify minimum compaction requirements in order to produce a dense concrete free from voids, honeycombing, segregation or surface defects, in order to achieve the required durability and sustainability outcomes. That is without any in-built maintenance and without ongoing interventions which negate the specified or desired sustainability objectives. #HoneyCombingOfConcrete #DenseConcrete #Voids

This guide provides a brief explanation of the use of diaphragm walls in construction. It includes titles about the types of diaphragm walls, the various uses of diaphragm walls, and the construction process of diaphragm walls. It outlines key stages such as alignment, guide wall construction, trenching, cleaning, reinforcement cage placement, and concrete pouring. It also highlights their purpose in supporting deep excavations and providing robust retaining structures.

We’re sharing a closer look at the installation of 10 pre-cast concrete bridge beams over the River Ouzel in Milton Keynes for our client St Joseph | Berkeley Group Plc 🖤💛 Over two days, our lift team installed each beam, weighing 84.1 tonnes and measuring 34.2 metres in length, using the LTM1800 super lift supported by a 150-tonne slave crane. The operation required precision throughout, from manoeuvring over the river and adding 200 tonnes of counterweights mid-lift, to placing each beam onto the abutment walls with millimetre accuracy. Stephen Edwards and his team carefully planned the installation in collaboration with Trident Lifting Solutions Ltd, who managed and oversaw all lifting operations to ensure the highest safety standards were upheld. 🎥 Watch the full installation unfold in the video below 👇 #riverousal #bridge #statomgroup #civilengineering #rcframe #groundworks #demolition #remediation #riverwall #towercranes #design #mep #basement #plantandmachinery #sparktech #demoforce #trident #slipform #flushline #futurelooksbright 

We’re delighted to share the successful completion of a challenging tunnelling project at Mytongate Junction in Hull. 🚧 Our team was tasked with creating a new drainage connection to link the underpass with the pump station shaft – a vital element in the wider junction improvements. What made this project particularly complex was the need to install a 42.9m tunnel beneath the live A63 carriageway, through variable ground conditions that included very soft clays, silts and areas of granular deposits. With the original tunnelling method not viable, we developed an alternative auger-bored solution using a 730mm internal diameter pipe. To achieve this, we first prepared and stabilised the shaft, drained and re-based the working area, and installed grout plugs to protect against ground movement. Tunnel eyes were then carefully cored out and reinforced to allow the auger bore to be advanced in stages – starting with a pilot rod, followed by an intermediate auger, and finally the installation of a steel pipe in 6m lengths. Each section was fully welded, inspected, and monitored to ensure the tunnel remained within design tolerances. Once the pipework was complete, seals and puddle flanges were fitted, and a UV liner 20.5mm thick was installed to provide a long-term service life of 120 years. Additional reinforcement and final benching works were then carried out within the shaft, completing the connection to a high standard of durability and safety. #TrenchlessTechnology #ShaftConstruction #CivilEngineering #construction #TeamworkInAction #GuidedAugerBoring #Microtunnelling #HDD #Teamwork #pipejacking #Engineering #yorkshire #directionaldrilling

The installation of pre-stress cables at the anchorage zone is a critical step in ensuring structural integrity and load transfer in pre-stressed concrete elements. This process involves accurately positioning and securing cables in the anchorage to effectively apply and maintain the required tension, upgrading the concrete’s performance under service loads. Proper installation at this zone ensures durability, minimizes losses, and prevents premature failure, making it a vital part of modern concrete construction

🧱 Expansion Joint vs Construction Joint – Simple Difference, Big Impact! In construction, joints are not just “gaps” – they are safety features that protect a structure’s strength & service life. 🔹 Expansion Joint (વિસ્તરણ જોડાણ) 👉 Purpose: To allow movement due to thermal expansion & contraction 👉 Placed: Long slabs, pavements, bridges 👉 Filled: Flexible material (rubber, bitumen) ✅ Benefit: Prevents cracks in hot conditions 🔹 Construction Joint (બાંધકામ જોડાણ) 👉 Purpose: When concrete placement is stopped & restarted 👉 Placed: Slabs, beams, columns (day-to-day pour breaks) 👉 Feature: Reinforcement continuity between old & new concrete ✅ Benefit: Maintains structural integrity 💡 Learning: Expansion joint handles temperature movements Construction joint handles work sequence & continuity ❓ Question: Have you ever faced cracks due to improper joint detailing on site? How did you solve it? #CivilEngineering #Construction #StructuralEngineering #SiteExecution #LearningByDesign #ConcreteTechnology

Compressive Strength Test of Concrete 🏗️ The compressive strength test is one of the most important quality checks in concrete technology. It helps determine whether the concrete mix achieves the required strength for safe and durable construction. ✅ Test is carried out on concrete cubes using a compression testing machine. ✅ Formula: Compressive Strength = Load / Area ✅ At 7 days → concrete gains around 70% of its strength. ✅ At 28 days → full design strength is achieved. Quality concrete = Strong structures = Safe future! #ConcreteTechnology #CivilEngineering #Construction #StructuralEngineering #CompressiveStrength #QualityControl #BuildingMaterials #CivilEngineers #ConcreteTesting

🏢 Why is steel used in concrete? Using steel in concrete, known as reinforced concrete, combines the strengths of both materials to create a highly effective composite for construction. Concrete is strong in compression but weak in tension, while steel possesses high tensile strength. By embedding steel reinforcement bars (rebar) in concrete, the composite material can withstand tensile forces, making it suitable for various structural applications. The presence of steel also helps control cracking in concrete; when subjected to tensile stresses, the steel can take on these stresses, preventing the concrete from cracking under load. Additionally, steel's ductility allows it to deform significantly before failure, enabling reinforced concrete structures to absorb energy and deform without collapsing suddenly, which is particularly important in seismic zones. Steel reinforcement aids in distributing loads more evenly throughout the concrete structure, improving overall stability and durability. #civil #everyeng #engineering.