Berryrange Ltd installed an approx. 67m long sheet pile wall beside an active TFL railway at Du Cane Road in Acton, London. 112 GU27N piles at 11.5m in length were installed using the vibration-free silent piling press, with a comprehensive strategy required to overcome complicated conditions.

This site came with a variety of challenges. It was located between an active central line railway, houses, and a main road, creating a tight working space with restricted access. Making the footprint even smaller, the pile line was at the base of an embankment, further restricting where plant could be positioned.

Additionally, due to this location, the use of a crane was limited with a no-slew zone in the direction of the train line, along with no lifts being allowed over the wingwall.

To suit the urban environment, the WP150 silent press had to be used; this piler creates no vibration when it drives the piles, preventing the disruption or risk of damage of conventional piling methods and allowing it to be used in close proximity to buildings and services.

However, due to the complexity of the site, a reaction stand – which the WP150 sits on to create the force needed to insert the initial piles – could not be set up for the piler. To remedy this, the Movax, mounted on our Kobelco SK350LC excavator was used to insert the first dummy piles so that the WP150 could be lifted onto the pile line.

The Kobelco SK350LC excavator was also used to pre-auger the ground before installation to ensure smooth driving of piles.

A Liebherr LTC 1050 50tne City Crane was used to lift the WP150 onto the pile line, along with unload the delivered piles.

To overcome the lack of space beside the pile line for slewing piles, a Giken CB2-5 Clamp Crane was used – this crane uniquely walks along the piles in the same manner as the WP150, meaning no space is required for its footprint on the ground. To facilitate use of the clamp crane, the Giken Pile Runner was used alongside to deliver piles from one area of the site to the other, where they could be slewn from.

Thanks to this thoroughly planned approach, the retaining wall was smoothly installed, able to protect and maintain the railway with minimal disruption to the service and local residents.