Snow Loads | Back to the Drawing Board

Piletec were challenged with providing equipment to install sheet piles needed to penetrate to a depth of 9m to engage the bedrock.

The Hire Desk team at Groundforce Shorco have been recognised as Highly Commended in two categories at the 2024 Northern Contact Centre Awards

Our Stopper Specialists division recently took Callum, one of our hire controllers, to a Waste Water Treatment Works (WWTW) upgrade site in the South, part of the ongoing AMP7 investment programme.

It is with mixed emotions that we say goodbye to Richard Cherrie as he prepares to enter retirement

Groundforce Shorco’s Hire Desk team are shortlisted for not one but two places in the finals of a prestigious award scheme.

With a drive for new housing potentially just around the corner, contractors and house building developers can be assured that Mr Cropper has the capacity and range of equipment to meet any new increase in demand. We offer solutions for a wide variety of pile cropping applications to meet the specific requirements of the house building sector.

In construction and utilities, having access to the right equipment at the right time is crucial. At Stopper Specialists, we aim to provide an efficient and flexible solution by offering high-quality pipe stoppers and pressure testing equipment for hire. Here’s an overview of the benefits of hiring our equipment and how it can support your business operations.

Accidents occurring within the construction sector post-pandemic has seen a 70% increase with the industry reporting twice as many deaths compared to agriculture, forestry and mining. This HSE data highlights that while safety is viewed as paramount, the fact remains that fatal injury in construction was five times higher than the average across all industries from the period 2023/24 with the most common causes being falls from height, being struck by a moving object and being struck by a moving vehicle.

Hydrostatic testing is the most commonly used procedure for checking the performance of pipes, boilers and pressure vessels. The method is used to highlight any flaws or damage that could result in a pressure loss. The industry generally considers this to be the safest method of pressure testing and for identifying potential leaks, strength or structural issues.

Pressure testing is conducted to WIS 4-01-03 or IGN 4-01-03, depending on the pipe material, to ensure the pipe meets the required standards. Find out more about the purpose of pressure testing.

Groundforce has spent many years listening to customers’ requirements in order to become a reputable supplier for those working in utilities. This commitment has seen Groundforce Shorco and Stopper Specialists build a cross-functional service for companies working in areas such as gas, water, electricity and power transmission.

Groundforce Shorco has supplied a space and time-saving solution to a project at a wastewater treatment works in Kent.

Gallagher Group calls in Groundforce Shorco to help with the installation of a robust water management system for a Maritime Academy.

Specialist construction services supplier Groundforce has added two more prestigious nominations to its growing list of accolades, having been named finalists in this year’s Construction News Specialist Awards.

Piletec supplied their ICE8SG Side-Grip vibrating hammer to main contractor JN Bentley who needed to extract sheet piling from a site with some very challenging ground conditions.

Groundforce recentley supported Galliford Try with a solution to a deep excavation in weak ground and heavy rain.

Groundforce Shorco supplied their heavy-duty hydraulic braces and props to support two large excavations on opposite banks of the River Yare in Great Yarmouth where a new lift bridge – the Great Yarmouth Third River Crossing - is being built by the BAM Farrans Joint Venture (JV).

Groundforce Shorco has supplied a bespoke support system for a major excavation in Dublin. Modular hydraulic equipment supplied by Groundforce Shorco is supporting the concrete secant-piled retaining wall while Bennett Construction completes the excavation and installs the reinforced concrete basement slab.

Specialist construction services supplier Groundforce has won a brace of shortlistings in this year’s Ground Engineering Awards.

Piletec supplied the Diesko ICE 8SG Side Grip Hammer to extract 9m U steel sheet piles which had been installed using a five-tonne crane-suspended vibrator during construction of a new motorway bridge.

Edgewater Contracts & Specialist Joinery appointed Groundforce Shorco to supply a propping solution for the excavation element of a new mixed-use scheme in Edinburgh, to include a new boutique hotel an extension to the formerly named Jurys Inn.

Vp plc’s strategy to reduce emissions gets the SBTi seal of approval. Specialist equipment rental group Vp plc has had its efforts and its strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through science-based targets validated by the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi).

Oliver Smith is promoted to Engineering Director at Groundforce Shorco. Shoring specialists Groundforce Shorco have promoted their Head of UK Engineering Design, Oliver Smith, to Engineering Director.

Groundforce Shorco is celebrating after being shortlisted at the Construction Marketing Awards (CMAs) 2023 in the “Best use of website” category for its groundbreaking YourSolution online temporary works design tool.

Groundforce Shorco is supplying a range of large-capacity modular hydraulic shoring equipment to contractors building a new footbridge and cycleway over the River Clyde in Glasgow.

Back-to-back wins for Groundforce Training at prestigious industry awards.

Groundforce Shorco are pleased to announce the launch of YourSolution+, an industry-first temporary works design tool. Offering engineers, temporary works coordinators and anyone confident to give a soil profile, unprecedented access to create their own trench and manhole box designs.

Two Groundforce bridges help APL Construction span a watercourse in Scotland.

Groundforce are finalists in the CN Specialist Awards 2023, in the category of ‘Equipment Specialist of the Year’.

The Smartshore Shoring System from Stopper Specialists is made from inflatable rubber cushions that are used together with adjustable trench struts.

A complex shoring solution supplied by Groundforce Shorco for another Tideway excavation.

Groundforce Training is celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2023, safe in the knowledge it has helped thousands of workers within utilities, construction and civil engineering stay equally as safe on site.

Stand G7 at Rail Live will showcase products and solutions from six Vp plc divisions.

Vp plc division, Mr Cropper are a sponsor of the inaugural Operators Challenge at Plantworx 2023

YourSolution, Groundforce Shorco’s interactive design tool, upgrades to 1.4.

Groundforce Shorco and sister division Piletec have come together to provide a turnkey ground support package on a mains water diversion project in the Midlands.

Groundforce have been shortlisted as finalists in the category of ‘Specialist Geotechnical Supplier of the Year’ in the Ground Engineering Awards 2023.

Contractors in Norway are using modular hydraulic props from Groundforce to support a major rail tunnel redevelopment in the capital, Oslo.

Groundforce are pleased to announce that their major shoring products are now endorsed with both the CE and UKCA Mark.

Specialist shoring supplier Groundforce Shorco has developed a carbon calculator for temporary works and is making it available not just for customers but the shoring industry as a whole.

Groundforce Shorco discuss how they are helping to build Scandinavia's tallest skyscraper and aid construction of the 8km train line of which 6km will be underground in the latest episode or the Engineering Matters podcast.

New 4.5m Manhole Box that is a sought-after shoring solution when installing precast concrete rings up to 3m in diameter has been added to leading UK construction solutions supplier, Groundforce Shorco’s fleet.

Groundforce Shorco is providing essential structural support for a water treatment project deep in the New Forest.

In December, Marcus took on his final climb – Aconcagua. A mountain in the Principal Cordillera of the Andes mountain range.

Groundforce Shorco supplied a range of specialised equipment to support a complex excavation during work at the Ynys Y Fro reservoir near Newport, Gwent.

A Side-Grip Hammer and Impact Hammer are the latest excavator attachments from Piletec

Groundforce has supplied 12 of its heavy-duty MP250 modular hydraulic props to support an enormous excavation in the Swedish city of Gothenburg.

Groundforce Shorco has supplied an innovative sheet piling and structural support solution for the installation of an Air Treatment Unit (ATU) at Tideway’s Deptford Church Street site in the south London borough of Lewisham.

In June this year, Marcus from the Groundforce Shorco technical team began embarking on a challenge to conquer mountain peaks in Wales, Tanzania and Argentina, in an attempt to raise £1000 for Prostate Cancer Research. Groundforce are pleased to be sponsoring Marcus on his challenge, ensuring he was able to purchase necessary clothing for the climbs.

Specialist construction solutions supplier Groundforce has expanded its shoring sales team in Scotland with the appointment of Stuart Clazey.

Groundforce Shorco has supplied a deep excavation support solution on a site in south London for main contractor Mace.

Groundforce Training have won a prestigious national award for their work in the water and wastewater sector.

New Step Bridge launched by Groundforce Bridge helps the workforce and the public.

Groundforce Shorco’s Premier Trench Boxes proved to be the ideal solution to support the installation of a floodwater attenuation tank on a new housing development in East Sussex.

YourSolution, Groundforce Shorco’s interactive design tool, upgrades to 1.3

Groundforce parent company Vp plc has officially launched its Short Term Roadmap to Net Zero by 2050.

Groundforce will be taking on the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge, in an attempt to raise vital funds for WaterAid.

Scottish Water has awarded a first-place Framework agreement to Groundforce for the Hire of Trenching and Shoring Equipment.

Today marks the 9th anniversary of International Women in Engineering Day,

Stopper Specialists have launched a new product that increases safety for contractors working around and removing buried utilities services.

Across stands G7 & G8 at this year’s Rail Live will showcase solutions from Groundforce, TPA, ESS, UK Forks, Torrent Trackside, Brandon Hire Station and MEP.

Specialist construction training provider, Groundforce Training, has formalised its long-standing support for the Armed Forces.

Groundforce Shorco, is relocating one of its key depots to offer customers improved service. The new depot, will be moved from Bury St Edmunds to Mildenhall Industrial Estate.

Groundforce’s mission to provide the complete solution has seen the company evolve into a group of specialist core divisions, collectively able to offer AMP7/utilities contractors the ultimate one-stop-shop for all their requirements.

In February, Akil Jasm Major Project Design Manager and Robert Powell Senior Engineer, visited Bradford University to deliver a presentation on Sheet Piles in temporary works applications.

Excavation support specialist Groundforce Shorco has added a groundwater management option to YourSolution, its interactive design tool for temporary works.

Equipment supplied by Groundforce Shorco is playing a vital part in one of the most important infrastructure projects currently underway in the UK.

Groundforce has supplied specialist shoring equipment to support three deep excavations on a flood alleviation project in Northern Ireland.

Groundforce is pleased to announce the launch of My Hires, the fresh and innovative online tool which delivers a fundamental change in approach to the way in which Groundforce customers interact with their online accounts.

Groundforce have been awarded gold accreditation, the highest level in the Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme (FORS).

Groundforce have launched what is believed to be the first e-commerce site for excavator attachments hire in the UK. The site gives all customers the ability to hire excavator attachments online at any time of the day or night, making hires simple and convenient for customers.

Specialist construction solutions supplier Groundforce has appointed Paul Garton as its new engineering director to head up its technical team

Groundforce Shorco equipment is playing a central role in one of the UK’s most ambitious and high-profile city-centre redevelopments: Cambridge House, in London’s Piccadilly. Cambridge House is now at the centre of a technically ambitious scheme by developer Motcomb Estates to create a new hotel and associated private residences.

Specialist construction solutions Groundforce Shorco have supplied a comprehensive range of trench boxes plus associated safety products, to enable George Leslie to carry out a waste water rising main development to make space for new infrastructure development at  Cambuslang.

Groundforce Shorco discuss the important strategies of early planning and design as they explain the detailed rationale behind the choice of equipment deployed as well as the precise nature of the methodology used in the Vienna project. 

Groundforce continues to support major industry events with the sponsorship of the 17th Construction News Specialist Awards.

Constructing an enormous three-level basement right on the Bayswater Road in central London is not a job to be undertaken lightly and for that reason, specialist groundworks and concrete frame contractor Modebest knew it needed the best temporary works support solution available.

Six months after its hugely successful launch, excavation support specialist Groundforce Shorco has enhanced its interactive design tool for temporary works, YourSolution.

The Vp group will be exhibiting a comprensive range of specialist rail and construction equipment and solutions split across two stands at Rail Live 2021, which takes place on June 16th - 17th

Specialist construction equipment supplier Groundforce has launched a new, dedicated attachments website.

Leading construction services supplier Groundforce has appointed one of their former graduates to the post of general manager for their Stopper Specialist business. Sam Woodcock joined Groundforce in 2016 as part of the company’s graduate recruitment programme where he worked in a rotating role across various departments including sales, operations, hire desk, finance, international, technical and asset management teams.

Groundforce Shorco’s modular hydraulic props have been used for a very different kind of project, not only above-ground but also on a moving structure. Osprey Group called on Groundforce to provide lateral support to bridge abutments and wing walls during the lifting and transportation process of a new railway bridge replacement at Gipsy Patch Lane in the north Bristol suburb of Stoke Gifford.

Groundforce Training, as an ATO, is fully responsible for making Levy Claims on behalf of Levy paying organisations for grant eligible courses. Taking advantage of the scheme will bring significant savings, especially when there is a need to train a larger group of delegates.

Supporting the sides of a 7m-deep square shaft is usually a fairly straightforward affair for Groundforce Shorco. First you install interlocking steel sheet piles around the perimeter, then you brace the top with a waling beam before commencing excavation.

This industry resource discusses shoring for infrastructure projects. Including irregular shaped excavations and tips on a more more flexible temporary working environment.

Modular hydraulic propping equipment from Groundforce is proving a highly efficient support solution for a series of major basement excavations in Gothenburg, Sweden. The Karlastaden (Karla City) development, in the Lindholmen district of the city, will comprise a total of nine high-rise buildings and includes the 245m-tall Karlatornet (Karla tower) residential block which was completed in 2020, and is the tallest building in the whole of Scandinavia.

This article discusses the positive effect excavator attachments has had on safety within the construction industry. The article highlights areas such as Protection from flying debris, Manual handling and Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS).

This article discusses the benefits of using trench boxes in excavations. Specifically looking at the advantages of the Groundforce Shorco 5.0m box range.

Groundforce props are the perfect accessory for Dublin’s latest retail destination Groundforce has supplied propping equipment to support a large basement excavation during construction of Dublin’s new shopping destination, Project Kells. The equipment includes the latest heavy duty hydraulic struts to be introduced into the company’s fleet.

New fuel efficient power packs from Groundforce Attachments.

Groundforce’s decision to align three distinct brands into one attachments division has been credited with bringing a range of benefits to customers.

Main contractor Murphy International, is currently undertaking a €40m contract, to upgrade the Lee Road Water Treatment Plant (WTP) in Cork city, on behalf of Irish Water. The Lee Road WTP provides approximately 70% of Cork City’s total treated water supply and the upgraded plant will provide a more safe and secure water supply for the rapidly growing city.

Groundforce have supplied a range of equipment at two Thames Tideway sites. Groundforce Shorco and Piletec part of the new Groundforce Attachments division, have supplied a turnkey support package for a complex excavation at the Cremorne Wharf site in Chelsea. With Mr Cropper, (Groundforce Attachments) supplying pile cropping equipment to the Falconbrook pumping station site in Wandsworth.

This industry resource will look into the development of Excavator Attachments, highlighting some of the latest attachments products such as: Augers, Compactors, Shears, Selector Grapples and Hydraulic Hammers.

Groundforce Shorco launches YourSolution an interactive design tool aimed at saving customers the time and effort involved in obtaining temporary works designs

Groundforce is once again playing an essential supporting role in a major Scandinavian infrastructure project, this time in Gothenburg, Sweden. No fewer than 30 of Groundforce’s MP750 modular hydraulic props will be used to support excavations up to 49 m wide on the multi-billion-Kronor West link railway project for Trafikverket, the Swedish transport administration.

An EPD is a document that quantifies environmental impacts of a product or services and an important aspect of an EPD is to provide the basis for a fair comparison between products or services by their environmental performance.

A bridge over a river in Germany, that was rebuilt using the remains of Second World War-torn buildings, is set for a new lease of life, thanks in part to modular hydraulic shoring equipment supplied by Groundforce.

Another industry first from Groundforce Training as the CITB ATO gives exclusive access to shoring training refresher course.

Octagonal cofferdams star in Co Sligo. Octagonal-shaped cofferdams provided by specialist construction supplier Groundforce have helped save space, time and money on Irish Water’s €9.9 million upgrade of two sewage treatment works.

This industry resource talks through the frequently asked questiosn of trench boxes. Such as when should a trench box be used?

Goundforce, part of the Vp plc group, are once again in the running to win at the prestigious 2020 GE Awards which celebrates the best in geotechnical engineering.

Norwegian civil engineering contractor HAB Construction is using six MP250 hydraulic struts from Groundforce Shorco to stabilise a deep excavation on the NK26bn (£2.2bn) Follo Line Project.

Groundforce is launching a fund-raising campaign to support an Attachments colleague whose baby son is battling a rare illness

COVID-19 Update from Managing Director David Williams (Groundforce & TPA) 29/05/2020

Groundforce Training re -opens following temporary closure

Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, temporary site shutdowns are being implemented across the construction industry

COVID-19 statement from Groundforce

Groundforce Shorco’s new MP375 hydraulic props are playing an important supporting role at one of the UK’s most ambitious civil engineering projects.

Groundforce Training - Suspension Statement

Paul Donovan joins Groundforce U.K. & Ireland from sister Vp plc company TPA.   Specialist construction solutions supplier Groundforce has appointed Paul Donovan as its new managing director for the U.K. and Ireland

Every year Santa is asked by millions of kids to deliver them a Christmas gift. Doing that for hundreds of years he noticed that toy manufacturing is nowadays very efficient, the elves put a lot of thought into the design of the toys to ensure long life and to avoid the children not using or getting bored with  the toys after a few weeks for various reasons such as:
•    The toy did not meet child’s  design criteria or expectation
•    Poor quality and lack of maintenance by themselves or their parents leading to damage and scrappage
•    Limited information about toys consumable components and how to replace them

Groundfcore Shorco supplied a complex shoring solution to a three-level basement construction as part of the redevelopment of Amberwood House in Knightsbridge, to transform it into one of London’s most unique and palatial private residences.

Hello and welcome back to the drawing board with me Elliot Griffin today I'm going to talk to you about stiffness and preload. Stiffness is a measure of members resistance to defamation and we're going to focus mainly on axial stiffness. 

Groundforce, part of the Vp plc group, has been shortlisted in the prestigious 2020 Construction News Specialist Awards - the only national awards to recognise the outstanding achievements of specialist contractors in the UK.

Lightweight shoring is suitable for short term projects involving minor excavations and general repairs to infrastructure. The above four attributes make this type shoring the obvious choice when dealing with situations demanding a rapid and prompt response.

More and more customers in the utilities, construction and civil engineering sectors are choosing Groundforce Training as their principal training provider, and keen to ensure that booking a place remains quick and easy, the division has launched the dedicated online service to further its reputation for customer service best practice.

Welcome back to Back to the Drawing Board, where we have a new presenter! Please all give a warm welcome to Vicky Mastoridou who talks through the topic of Welding in Aluminium Heat Affected Zones (H.A.Z).

Groundforce have sponsored the Welsh National Youth Fly Fishing team in their bid to become winners in the four nations Youth Fly Fishing Championships. The competition took place on the 31st July 2019 on the Lake of Menteith in Scotland.

Award winning construction equipment rental specialist Groundforce have relocated to a new, larger premises in Co. Laois to facilitate further growth and expansion of their range of equipment.

Groundforce is looking forward to following the amazing journey Chris & James are starting in December. This duo team “Hell Oar High Water” (HOHW) will be undertaking a challenge of a lifetime.

Modular hydraulic shoring equipment and sheet piles from Groundforce have been used to install a floodwater attenuation system in challenging ground conditions at a recycling yard near Dublin Port.

A shopping mall in Berlin with a chequered history was the subject of a complex propping project involving the use of Groundforce’s largest propriety MP750 struts incorporating the latest hydraulic nut technology.

Groundforce bring home prestigious industry award Groundforce Shorco are celebrating after winning the award for ‘Specialist Geotechnical Supplier of the Year’ at this year’s GE Awards.

Capital Square is the largest speculative office development in Edinburgh and is located in the heart of the city’s business district. The project is scheduled for completion in 2020. Groundforce helped to engineer a solution early on in the process, which had a number of different iterations before arriving at the final solution.

A next-generation data logging system from specialist construction services supplier Groundforce is helping to get pressure tests and certification for a major water main network refurbishment completed in double-quick time.

Utility Week Live is the leading utilities industry exhibition and both Groundforce Training and U Mole will be attending for the first time on the 21st and 22nd May to share a stand at the NEC in Birmingham. This joint approach means there will be more opportunity to showcase new and innovative equipment whilst promoting each group’s distinct and specialist services.

Groundforce Shorco has employed its strongest ground-support equipment to assist with the construction of a major waste-to-energy project near Bristol.

Groundforce Major Projects Hydraulic Nut acts directly behind the locking screws, offering the ability to both pre-load the MP750 strut to a high level on installation, as well as providing a safe and controlled means of releasing the strut under residual load.

Andrew Lowe is head of engineering design with specialist construction services supplier Groundforce.

This video compilation showcases Groundforce’s hydraulic propping solutions for a variety of deep and heavily loaded excavation projects in Ireland.

Groundforce supplied an excavation support solution for a new marina at the port of Dover, part of £250m Dover Western Docks Revival (DWDR) development. Part-financed by the European Union, it will transform Dover’s famous Western Docks into a bustling new waterfront.

Specialist construction services supplier Groundforce appoints a new operations director for its piling and trenchless technology businesses.

Groundforce have provided a temporary propping solution to main contractor Eiffage for the construction of a new underpass to allow easier access for traffic to the town of Molsheim in the Bas-Rhin region of France.

Welcome back to Back to the Drawing Board, where Steven Lloyd joins us to talk through the topic of Building an Analytical Model.

Piling division Piletec and Trenchless Technology division U Mole have been awarded the CLOCS Champion accreditation which recognises their leading role in helping to reduce collisions with vulnerable road users.

Welcome back to Tony’s Technical Blog

It’s certainly been a while, a year to be exact since my last post, where has the time gone?

Anyway, to get back in the saddle so to speak, I thought I would reproduce a 5-minute “Viewpoint” article that I presented back at last October’s GE Basement Conference. As long term sponsors of this event, we are entitled to plan out one of the themed breakout sessions. The theme we settled on was "Designing Leaner Temporary Works".  To start the session we had three 5-min viewpoint presentations; contractor, consultant and supplier i.e.me, on how this could be achieved. This was how I see it from a designer/supplier’s perspective.

This video gives a demonstration of how Groundforces concrete Pipe Pusher is installed and operated.

An Interview with Piletec Operations Manager David O'Brien discussing how Piletec use safe business practices which allow for better quality products and fully trained staff.

Groundforce Ireland were on hand to aid in the install of a new gas main under the Colebrooke River at Maguiresbridge in Co Fermanagh.

Groundforce are through to the finals of national awards that recognise the outstanding achievements of specialist contractors. The winners will be announced on the 27th of March 2019.

Groundforce celebrates after winning prestigious industry award in Ireland.  Specialist equipment supplier Groundforce was among the big winners at the recent annual Plant & Civil Engineer Awards in Northern Ireland. 

Modular shoring equipment from Groundforce has helped the Murphy GMC joint venture install a new gas main under the Colebrooke River at Maguiresbridge, Co Fermanagh, Northern Ireland.

Groundforce, the UK’s leading equipment hire specialist, continues to lead the way when it comes to introducing innovations in excavation support equipment, with the launch of the MP750 and hydraulic nut technology.

The Great Britain U25 Rifle Team were struggling to overcome financial challenges just in order to continue competing following sweeping funding cuts from various bodies.but thanks to a successful fundraising effort they will now be able to travel to the 2019 games in order to defend their world title.

Groundforce has introduced a new wireless remote condition monitoring system that simplifies real-time measurement of static loads and monitors potential movements in sensitive structural support applications. The new wireless system, known as FlatMesh™ from Senceive, uses wireless nodes with the Groundforce load pins, which pass their signal from one to another, meaning that only one of the nodes needs to have clear contact with the 3G gateway module, in order for all readings to be taken.

Take a look at our 2018 Major Projects digital case study which takes you through some of the highlights from this year, showcasing how our propping solutions can assist with your excavation projects across UK and Europe

Groundforce are proud to launch the new MP750 strut, the highest capacity hydraulic strut on the market

Excavation Safety involves the removal of materials (usually soil) to dig into the ground, creating space for a variety of construction works. This ranges from installing building foundations, to creating trenches that allow pipework and other utilities to be laid. Excavations carry a variety of health and safety risks, ranging from cave-ins to falls, and these dangers must be mitigated accordingly.

Temporary Bridges are used to provide site access for construction vehicles and operatives. They are generally between four and twelve meters long, and can be flat-packed for easy transportation and storage.

Groundforce Shorco and Groundforce Training took part in the Working Well Together (WWT) North East regional group’s Health & Safety event which took place in June at Komatsu’s premises in Chester le Street.

Modular hydraulic props and braces from Groundforce have helped civil engineering contractor Roadbridge install a number of underground pumping stations on a major leisure development in County Longford.

First CPCS course to be run by the company will be for Appointed Persons on July 30th. Groundforce Training Services has gained CPCS accreditation and the first course it will be offering is the five-day A61 Appointed Persons (lifting operations) course which will take place on July 31st.

Groundforce Pipe Lifter has been designed specifically to lift and install concrete pipes safely, quickly and without manual intervention.

SheetMaster is a revolutionary composite, non-hydraulic, sheet handling and installation attachment developed to undertake the three dig and push operations of pitching, driving and extraction for the Groundforce Shorco range of trench sheets.

Groundforce Shorco, Major Projects once again headline sponsors of the Ground Engineering Basement and Underground Structures Conference. Groundforce Shorco is marking 10 years of sponsoring Ground Engineering’s Basement and Underground Structures Conference by this year repeating its headline sponsorship of the event.

Groundforce recently sent a team, led by Scottish regional sales director Richard Cherrie, to a groundworks health and safety event in Aberdeen.

Groundforce Germany has supplied a total of 100 MP150 hydraulic props for the construction of a new discharge channel, part of the new Mur-hydroelectric power station on the outskirts of Graz.

The training division of Groundforce is helping Solent CEGA with men and materials. Groundforce Training is supporting a pioneering apprenticeship scheme.

Welcome back to Back to the Drawing Board where Steven Lloyd joins us to talk through the topic of Designing for Risk.

Groundforce Shorco MAP (Modular Aluminium Panel) Box is a lightweight aluminium modular box system that can be assembled by hand and handled on sites by small excavators

Steven Lloyd joins us again for another episode of Back to the Drawing Board. Today we run through Snow Loads to help you through the snowy festive season!

Groundforce Training Services has gained further industry accreditation following confirmation they are now a CITB Approved Training Organisation (ATO).

Groundforce Shorco has supplied cost effective, time saving propping solutions to Barrhead-based civil engineering specialist George Leslie for the King’s Inch CSO project.

Motorised Pump's are intended for use with larger double acting (expanding and retracting) equipment such as hydraulic struts where large fluid volumes are involved.

Groundforce Shorco supplied a full complement of piling, trench support and safety equipment to specialist contractor Clumber Construction for use on a wastewater improvement project in Beeby, Leicestershire. Watch our time lapse video of the installation here.

Welcome back to Back to the Drawing Board where Steven Lloyd joins to talk through the Product Development process.

Groundforce MP60 is a modular format medium-duty mechanically adjustable strut, combining the compressive strength of steel tube with the convenience of mechanical length adjustment.

Groundforce celebrates winning Health and Safety Company of the year award Groundforce have won the coveted Health and Safety Company of the Year Award at the Machinery Movers Operators and Construction Awards 2018.

The Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route/Balmedie to Tipperty (AWPR/B-T) is one of the largest infrastructure projects in Scotland. It is being delivered by Transport Scotland on behalf of the Scottish Government in partnership with Aberdeen City Council and Aberdeenshire Council.

The Smart Pressure Testing Equipment from Stopper Specialists enables you to carry out your pressure testing quickly and easily, with data captured in real time. The app works with your Bluebox-enabled pressure logger to give you an instant pass or fail on-site. Key features also include failure analysis, recommendations, GPS location data and images.

Specialist construction solutions provider Groundforce has become one of a select band of suppliers to run an ICE (Institution of Civil Engineers) company approved training scheme (CATS).

The multimillion pound quayside development at Dundee’s Prince Charles Wharf Extension is on track for delivery with a bit of help from Piletec the piling arm of leading specialist hirer Groundforce.

Groundforce Bridge fly in their temporary bridges to provide an eco-friendly access solution for pylon construction in Ireland.

It would be most remiss of me not to firstly wish all readers a happy, prosperous and healthy 2018.

It’s certainly been a while since I posted a technical blog, as my colleagues in marketing keep reminding me. I can only apologise to followers for lack of recent content. However this is an obviously good time to make a meaningful New Year’s resolution to get back to regular postings; so here goes.

Once again welcome Back to the Drawing Board. Today we are going to look at how to apply BIM for Temporary Works.

SheetMaster is a revolutionary composite, non-hydraulic, sheet handling and installation attachment developed to undertake the three dig and push operations of pitching, driving and extraction for the Groundforce Shorco range of trench sheets. Reducing the need for manual intervention and keeping operatives clear of the slewing excavator, means SheetMaster introduces greater safety by assigning much of the control to the excavator driver.

Groundforce Shorco supplied a full complement of piling, trench support and safety equipment to specialist contractor Clumber Construction for use on a wastewater improvement project in Beeby, Leicestershire. Watch our time lapse video of the installation here.

Groundforce Shorco has supplied a full complement of piling, trench support and safety equipment to specialist contractor Clumber Construction for use on a wastewater improvement project in Leicestershire.

You can read the full story on the complex propping solution

Groundforce Shorco’s MP125 and MP250 modular hydraulic props are supporting two large excavations that will house heavy machinery for a new automotive factory in Wolverhampton.

Groundforce MP60 is a modular format medium-duty mechanically adjustable strut, combining the compressive strength of steel tube with the convenience of mechanical length adjustment. Watch our typical installation video.

Take a journey through our digital case study which highlights how our propping solutions can assist with your deep excavation projects.

Stopper Specialists, the UK's leading supplier of pipe stoppers and pressure testing equipment to the construction, civil engineering and utility industries, has announced a new hire agreement with Picote Solutions.

Piling equipment supplier invests in a dedicated attachments business.

Next-generation system launched by Groundforce’s Stopper Specialists division. A unique remote pressure testing system which is user-friendly and instantly advises the customer of test passes or an issue should one arise has been launched by Stopper Specialists.

Groundforce have picked up another industry award to add to their collection, after winning the Best Construction Supplier to Work With (over £25m) at the Construction Enquirer Top Ten Awards.

Take a journey through our digital case study which highlights how our propping solutions can assist with your deep excavation projects.

Groundforce Shorco Major Projects are headline sponsors of the 2017 Ground Engineering Basement and Underground Structure’s Conference.

Piletec’s new Excavator Mounted Vibrators (EMVs) will help contractors save time and reduce costs. Piletec, specialist supplier of piling and foundation equipment, can now offer its customers an even wider choice of piling attachments with the introduction of two new EMV’s that will help to reduce time and costs.

Groundforce Shorco hydraulic propping equipment is once again helping to streamline construction of a large basement in Scandinavia. Working for the first time for main contractor Skanska, Groundforce has supplied its MP150 modular hydraulic props in a raking configuration to support the large basement excavation on the Valand Quarter 6 project in Kungsbacka, a few kilometres south of the Swedish city of Gothenburg.

Stopper Specialists Director John Wilson takes us through the terrifying event of being buried alive and surviving to tell the tale.

Groundforce Drag Box is lightweight designed for use with small capacity machines and excavators.

The Mega Brace is a high load capacity modular hydraulic bracing system designed to support square, rectangular or multi-sided excavations ranging from 3.0m to 20.0m in plan.

Hydraulic struts comprise of a series of extensions with a hydraulic unit at one end.

Groundforce Shorco has supplied a full complement of trench support equipment, including ladders and ancillary components, to contractors carrying out a major improvement to waste-water treatment facilities in Derbyshire.

There are many design and analytic techniques at the disposal of engineers when it comes to determining the most effective installation methods of sheets and piles.

Poor ground conditions, shallow rock profile and a confined site called for an imaginative excavation support solution during construction for a new university library extension.

The construction equipment specialist has named Alan Best as Area Sales Manager while Stephen Hill has come on board as Technical Design Engineer to support the Scottish construction sector by developing temporary works design solutions. Alan has worked in the shoring industry for 19 years and in the construction sector generally for three decades. Stephen worked as a Design Engineer for a competitor firm for 12 years.

Groundforce has made a key technical appointment to support continued expansion in the north of England.

Groundforce Shorco have made a small but significant contribution to CIRIA’sGuidance on embedded retaining wall design (C760). The recently issued document replaces the previous C580 guidance, and will provide a comprehensive Eurocode compliant design manual for embedded retaining walls.

Piletec lends a helping hammer to a charitable cause. Children suffering from cancer, and their families, will be able to enjoy views of a serene Scottish loch from a jetty installed in a charitable initiative by the Piletec division of Groundforce in support of civil engineering contractor George Leslie.

Historic Roman remains have been uncovered in Derby with the help of Groundforce’s Modular Aluminium Panel (MAP) lightweight box system. The system was used as trench support to provide a safe environment for archaeologists working to identify important Roman buildings and fortifications ahead of construction of the city’s new flood defences.

Groundforce has supplied an intricate cofferdam solution to allow the construction of a new pumping station on the River Clodiagh near Holycross, County Tipperary.

Groundforce Training has teamed up with Bridgwater and Taunton College to provide specialist training in excavation support for workers at Hinkley Point C.

A charity rugby match, with Groundforce’s Bryan Webb captaining the winning side, raised over £10,000 for the Breast Cancer Now charity.

Specialist ground engineering and equipment supplier Groundforce UK, is pleased to announce the appointment of Dan Coen as Managing Director.

SheetMaster from Groundforce Shorco, is shortlisted for another prestigious industry award.

Groundforce has been shortlisted as a finalist in the Equipment Innovation category of the 2017 Ground Engineering Awards for the development of SheetMaser, a new product that makes installing trench sheets quicker, more controllable and safer.

Props supplied by Groundforce Shorco have enabled a large excavation to be carried out in very difficult ground conditions at a water treatment works in Wales.

Groundforce hydraulic propping equipment is once again helping to streamline construction of a large basement on Olso’s ambitious “Fjord City” project.

Groundforce Shorco is proud to announce attainment of the FORS Gold accreditation; an award which embodies the company’s systematic approach to continual improvement and reinforces their reputation as an industry pace setter.

Groundforce Training are pleased to announce the beginning of a new partnership with Loughborough University, through the delivery of a training module for the university’s Construction Engineering Management course.

The project brief from Irish Water was to replace an 850m stretch of existing 100mm cast iron pipe with a new 180mm SDR11 profuse pipe at Station Road, Portmarnock. Carty Group Ltd was subsequently commissioned to complete this project and decided that given the constraints on the urban site, pipe bursting would be the safest and most efficient method of replacing the water main.

Groundforce are pleased to report a successful September launch of the SheetMaster: an exciting new product which continues to generate a great deal of interest from temporary works contractors, health and safety personnel and the construction industry press.

As 2017 approaches we take a look back to some of the great jobs that the Major Projects team have carried out over the last couple of years. No two projects are the same and each one comes with its own set of obstacles to overcome. Luckily the team at Groundforce Major Projects never shy away from a challenge which is demonstrated in the plethora of complex schemes completed in the UK and Europe.

Groundforce has been recognised for its many achievements within the construction industry at the 2016 Plant & Civil Engineer’s ‘Plant, Construction & Quarry’ Awards. Company representatives were presented with the much coveted ‘High Achiever’ award, sponsored by Terex and Sleator Plant, at a glittering ceremony at the Ramada Hotel in Belfast.

A summary of Excavator Mounted Vibrators (EMVs) and ancillary equipment from Piletec. EMVs are a quick and cost-effective way to install and extract sheet piles.

This sequence explains the various equipment available to provide safe access to an excavation. The products include: Maxi LadderSafe, Mini LadderSafe, Mega LadderSafe, Premier LadderSafe and StepSafe.

A major project is currently under way to improve road access into the Port of Immingham in Lincolnshire. The £88 million A180/A160 Road Improvement scheme is designed to relieve congestion on this key strategic route, as well as stimulating growth and unlocking economic benefits in the area.

Groundforce design expertise has contributed to a successful solution on a major water quality improvement scheme in Glasgow. The ground support specialist used its extensive experience to help re-design a cofferdam being built on the south side of the river Clyde in Glasgow.

Installing precast concrete culverts is now quicker, safer and more efficient thanks to the new electro-hydraulic culvert puller from Piletec, the specialist piling division of Groundforce. The new device, which has been two years in development, has now gone into production following highly successful trials on an industrial site in Knottingly, West Yorkshire.

Groundforce Shorco is exhibiting for the first time at Civils Expo 2016 part of UK Construction Week, the UK's largest construction trade event.

Groundforce, who were nominated in the Construction Enquirer Awards category of Best Construction Supplier to Work for, have been voted into the final top ten companies in this category.

Groundforce unveils SheetMaster, another first in construction site safety Handling and installing trench sheets is now quicker, more controllable and safer thanks to SheetMaster, the new three-in-one revolutionary trench sheet handling tool from Groundforce Shorco.

Essex groundworks contractor CJM has used a combination of Groundforce’s MP50 and Maxi Brace modular supports in a complex excavation in Nottingham. The contract was for the construction of a new residential block in St Marks Street for client Elory Student Accommodation.

SheetMaster is a revolutionary composite, non-hydraulic, sheet handling and installation attachment developed to undertake the three dig and push operations of pitching, driving and extraction for the Groundforce Shorco range of trench sheets. Reducing the need for manual intervention and keeping operatives clear of the slewing excavator, means SheetMaster introduces greater safety by assigning much of the control to the excavator driver.

Groundforce Training has become the first to offer accredited training on EMVs and Pre Augers. A safety-critical course, believed to be the first of its kind, on the dangers of EMVs (Excavator Mounted Vibrators) and Pre Augers has been launched by Groundforce Training. As an EEIAS approved product successful delegates will receive an industry recognised photo id card registered under the popular Energy & Utility Skills (EUSR) scheme.

Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) has embarked on its Ground Development Masterplan with the building of a new Warner Stand at Lord’s Cricket Ground. The new stand will have 2,656 seats, a new match-control and match officials’ facility, and a restaurant, three bars and catering facilities. It will have ground-source heat pumps to heat water, and photovoltaic roof panels generating electricity, as well as rainwater collection and recycling and "green" or living walls.

Following on from the success of working on Doha’s new Metro system, one of Qatar’s largest infrastructure projects, Groundforce has continued to promote its presence in the Middle East Market.

Divisions from specialist equipment rental group Vp plc came together to showcase their latest products and innovations at RailLIVE, Europe’s largest outdoor rail show, which was held at Long Marston in Warwickshire from 22nd to 23rd June 2016.

Groundforce have been shortlisted in the category of ‘Best Construction Supplier to Work for’ in the Construction Enquirer awards. The objective of these newly introduced awards is to recognise the industry’s best companies to work for and the best firms to do business with.

Stopper Specialists, a division of Groundforce has introduced a new product which is set to significantly impact the stopper market, by reducing costs for customers.

Once again welcome back to the drawing board with me Steven Lloyd, you may remember a little while ago we talked about the design of waling beam with combined effects, we had a look at von mises stresses, we had a think about plastic and elastic properties of the beam. 

Now what determines whether you consider a beam to be plastic or elastic, well that’s it's classification and today we will be looking at the classification of steel sections. This only applies to structural steel; stainless steel and aluminium have different material properties so the criteria involved is slightly different there. So this applies to structural steel, grades s235, s355 and so on, the kind that are covered in Eurocode part 3. 

Scottish Water is building a 3.1 mile-long waste water tunnel in the south of Glasgow as part of the biggest upgrade of the city’s waste water network in more than a century. The Shieldhall Strategic Tunnel, which will run between Craigton and Queen’s Park area of Glasgow, forms part of a £250m, five-year programme of work to upgrade the waste water network in the Greater Glasgow area.

Groundforce has taken its long-standing relationship with Scottish Water to new heights by successfully being appointed as a framework supplier for the hire of trenching and shoring equipment over an initial 5 year period.

Scottish Water is building a 3.1 mile-long waste water tunnel in the south of Glasgow as part of the biggest upgrade of the city’s waste water network in more than a century. The Shieldhall Strategic Tunnel, which will run between Craigton and Queen’s Park area of Glasgow, forms part of a £250m, five-year programme of work to upgrade the waste water network in the Greater Glasgow area.

Groundforce technical director Tony Gould wins an award for improving safety on site. His response to a challenge to improve the installation methodology of shoring boxes and edge protection systems, particularly in the area of safety, has won the technical director of leading excavation shoring equipment supplier Groundforce a regional award.

Firstly, apologies for plagiarising and modifying the post WW2 “export or die” slogan which was generally associated with the motor industry, in the days that we had we actually had one, and the need for foreign money to keep Britain afloat. However, in this fast paced digital age, I can’t help feeling that the principal of the adage applies as strongly now as back then.

This sequence explains the method for installing a Hydraulic Waler System, complete with optional End Bearers within a trench. Waler frames provide 2-way support to trenches and are used in conjunction with trench sheeting.

Hello and welcome back to the drawing board with me, Steven Lloyd. A few months ago I talked to you about the design of hydraulic struts and I mentioned that at the end of the strut there’s always this hydraulic unit now the reason it's there is so you can pump some fluid in and adjust the length of the props so they will always meet the size requirements.

Today we are going to take a look inside the hydraulic cylinder and see how that works. I’m going to start simple talking about single acting cylinder. This basically means that you can pump it out but you can’t pump it back in, strictly speaking.

As headline sponsors, Groundforce Shorco (Major Projects) will again be demonstrating their industry expertise at this year’s GE Basements and Underground Structures Conference which takes place on the 5th and 6th October at the Olympia Conference Centre, London.

Once again welcome back to the drawing board. In the last couple of videos we talked about the design of equipment and the resistances of that equipment. We looked at the props and we looked at the wailers. Now we will have a look a bit at the other side, where the forces come from. 

Groundforce will be exhibiting at the 2016 GE Infrastructure Summit exhibition, which takes place on the 18 and 19 May, at the Millennium Gloucester hotel in London.

Groundforce has taken its training capability to a whole new level with course additions and accreditations, one of which makes the company the only provider to offer such. Less than two years after opening the purpose-built training centre in Worksop, the company has won EUSR (Energy and Utility Skills Register) accreditation for its one-day course “Appreciation of Excavation Safety”. This is the course that only Groundforce can offer.

Welcome back to the drawing board and today are we talking about the design of walers as well as the combined effects that act upon them.  When I say combined effects I’m talking about axial force, bending moment and shear forces all acting on the waler at the same time. I won’t be talking about torsion because you don't usually see torsional effects on the kind of walers that we do. 

New Piletec location will provide customers access to more Groundforce products and services from one site.

Groundforce has used 3D modelling to assist in the design and installation of props supporting a large basement excavation in the heart of London’s West End. The two storey basement is being constructed as part of the redevelopment of London’s famous Leicester Square by main contractor Brookfield Multiplex.

Renowned for leading the way when it comes to new and innovative ideas within the ground engineering sector, Groundforce has introduced another ’first’ with the launch of a series of innovative engineering discussion videos aimed at showcasing its commitment to knowledge sharing throughout the industry.

Welcome to the very first “Back to the Drawing Board” with Steve Lloyd at Groundforce Shorco technical offices in Leeds. Today Steve will be explaining how we design our hydraulic props and the kind of actions and effects that act upon it.

The latest trench support product from Groundforce - a new Drag box extension has helped contractor Morrison Construction complete a sewer improvement project safely and quickly as part of Scottish Water’s investment programme.

Tony Gould, who celebrates 30 years with Groundforce this year, has been appointed chairman of BSI committee B/514/29, the UK representation on WG9 - the CEN (Comité Européen de Normalisation) working group for standardisation of trench lining and hydraulic shoring systems.

To accommodate continued expansion and growth across its divisions, Groundforce has opened a new ‘super’ depot in Derby, which will incorporate four of the company’s businesses.

Groundforce has announced it will be exhibiting and presenting at this year’s ICE Engineering Underground Space Conference, which takes place on the 15th March in London. The objective of the one-day conference is to raise the profile of the specialist skills sets required within underground engineering, and to share best practice across the industry.

Groundforce Shorco are always striving to develop ancillary equipment to enhance their product offerings. Demonstrated in this video are the associated products that can be used in conjunction with boxes and braces to improve safety and access in and around excavations.

It’s been a while since we’ve had a real nuts and bolts engineering entry in the blog and thanks to Mr. Garford-Tull for providing some comments to previous blog entries. I’ve been inspired to write a technical entry about a few of the more complex issues surrounding thermal effects.

Another Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme (FORS) silver accreditation promoting safe and sustainable transport for Groundforce Shorco southern region.

Heading into 2016, Groundforce Shorco has added 4 new products to their already extensive product offering. With an increasing requirement for enhanced box capability and capacity, larger boxes have been introduced into the Groundforce fleet to cater for large pipe and chamber installations. Utilising telescopic, pinned struts for quick width adjustment, their introduction augments the existing wide range of boxes and allows greater choice to facilitate most trench applications.

Congratulations to Steven Taylor, pictured here receiving his certificate for ‘Outstanding Performance on Placement 2014/2015’ from Professor Peter Jimack, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Leeds. Steven gained success in a year which saw over 50 high quality nominations and this accolade underpins the valuable contribution he has made to the Technical Department while on student placement at Groundforce’s Morley operation.

Stopper Specialists (part of Groundforce) has been appointed as the sole distributors for SAVATECH’s range of rubber products for environmental protection and rescue operations. SAVATECH, who are the market leaders in this sector, have more than more 30 years’ experience of manufacturing chemical resistant stoppers to hazardous material leak control products.

No fewer than 17 of Groundforce’s modular hydraulic props – some spanning almost 50m with no intermediate support – have featured in a complex structural support contract for a new luxury housing development in Hammersmith, London and the first project completed by Groundforce to EC3 Eurocde.

Groundforce Box Systems comprise a simple, robust, two-sided mechanical excavation support system. Each box is designed as a temporary earth retaining structure allowing the sides of the excavation to be cut vertical or near vertical. This quick and easy method ensures ground stability within a trench and helps minimise the excavation area to avoid damage to neighboring structures and utilities in the ground.

MP125 hydraulic props installed by LMC Contracts Ltd on a basement in Totteridge. The props were connected to a steel upstand post fixed into the capping beam to allow the ground floor slab to be cast prior to prop removal.

Groundforce has supplied complex propping solutions to work package T02 -the extension of line 14 of the Paris metro. The northern extension of line 14 of the Paris metro for the RATP/STIF (the Paris and Greater Paris transport operators), which is being project managed by SYSTRA. (global leader in mass transit and rail engineering), is being extended to reduce traffic on line 13 of the Paris metro, which has already reached its maximum operating capacity.

Well summer has been and gone and judging from the persistent fog hanging around for the last couple of days, we must be well in to Autumn. Two of my colleagues are over in Sydney this week providing technical training for our Australian partner Coates Rental; I am hoping that they have not thrown away the return portion of their ticket!

Chris Gearren, General Manager at Groundforce Training Services has been awarded Chartered Member (CMIOSH) within The Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH), internationally recognised and a highly valued health and safety qualification.

Groundforce Bridge has successfully completed its first installation in Ireland. A 12.6m x 3.5m Mega Vehicle Bridge was installed in just two hours and has provided an eco-friendly solution for site traffic accessing works on a £17 Million major road improvement scheme in Co Derry.

The surprise discovery of a 15th Century ship buried in central Oslo required the rapid deployment of Groundforce’s Megabrace shoring system while archaeologists unearthed the relic. The ship was discovered during construction of a basement on the Barcode Project, a section of the Bjorvika portion of the Fjord City redevelopment in the Norwegian capital.

A sales and marketing specialist who has worked for leading FMCG organisations has been appointed as the new sales and marketing director for Groundforce. David Garden, joins the senior management team at Groundforce as the group looks to progress the company through its next stage of UK and pan European growth.

Groundforce has recently recruited Chris Gearren, a highly experienced training professional and safety practitioner, to head up and develop further growth at its Training Services division based in Worksop.

Two Groundforce’s divisions have recently been awarded the FORS accreditation by Transport for London. Piletec achieving the Silver and Stopper Specialists the Bronze.

Groundforce will once again be supporting this year’s Ground Engineering Basement & Underground conference, which take place at London’s Olympia on the 6th & 7th October, as sponsors of the Temporary Works Seminar.

 Following on from an earlier entry about the humble road plate, I thought I’d make a showcase of the often abused, manhole shutter. It may seem like a simple, primitive piece of equipment but even these simple tools have a raft of technical data and calculations to back them.

Considering that the shutter is, for the most part, just a 2mm thick sheet of steel, they are deceptively strong. This is primarily down to the way in which they carry the load from the fresh concrete within. 

Conceived and designed by Marks Barfield Architects, designers of the London Eye – the new i360 tower is a slender 162m high observation tower with a viewing ‘pod’ rising to 450 feet, sited at the root end of the historic West Pier on Brighton’s seafront.

The Click Stick is a mechanical alternative to manual hammers and Podger Bars, designed to break or crack redundant metal pipes safely and with controlled flexibility around other utilities. This video shows how easy it is to use the Click Stick in comparison to the Podger Bar.

Market leaders in the hire and sale of trenchless technology equipment U Mole, has added a new ground breaking product to its portfolio - The Grundomat N Generation Mole.

For what now seems like an age, we have been operating a load monitoring service with pre-calibrated electronic swivel pins to measure the force acting within a hydraulic prop. An important part of this system is the test rig that we use to calibrate the load cells.

Since opening a depot in Dyce last year, the company has experienced considerable growth in the region, and to accommodate further expansion has moved to significantly larger premises at Mugiemoss.

Groundforce will be exhibiting at France’s leading bi-annual geo-technical exhibition Solscope, which takes place at the Eurexpo Exhibition Centre in Lyon on the 24th and 25th of June.

Groundforce has launched its most technically integrated and user-friendly website. Groundforce’s newly redesigned website will provide visitors to their site quick and easy access to all essential product information, and for the first time will include fully integrated technical literature.

Groundforce training services has been awarded the status of Gold Provider by The Energy and Efficiency Independent Assessment Service (EEIAS) having met a threshold level of good quality as a provider of training, offering the necessary reassurances to employers that this brings.

Returning this month to a more technical theme I have unashamedly plagiarised one of my colleague’s recent technical notes concerning the long serving (and suffering) trench crossing plate. These are one of the less glamorous pieces of kit in our hire fleet generally cut out of old ¾” thick boiler plate in 8’ x 4’ (apologies for the imperial units) size. To comply with current safety regulations they are generally coated with some sort of non-slip or anti-skid coating with a lifting hole burnt into each corner; and that is just about as sophisticated as they get.

Groundforce has achieved industry recognition for their innovative design and technical expertise in excavation support, having been shortlisted in the 2015 Ground Engineering Awards, category for Technical Excellence.

Once again I have managed to embarrass myself in that this is the first time I have posted in 2015. January and February have vanished already and here we are getting on for a quarter of the way through the year already. Anyway let me bring you up to speed with what has been going on in the technical department over the last couple of months.

The first 3D Animation for Groundforce Shorco has been created by the Groundforce Technical department.

This 3D Animation shows pre-driven shoring methodology using Groundforce Shorco shoring equipment.

Groundforce Shorco has used its new Super Mega Brace support system with integral hydraulic rams for the first time on a major project for the renewable energy sector.

Having successfully established itself in mainland Europe, Groundforce is now looking at new markets and further expanding its reach in the Middle East.

To celebrate reaching 2,000 users of the Groundforce Technical Library (www.gftech.co.uk) a competition was launched for all users to be in with a chance of winning an iPad Mini.

U Mole provided specialist expertise and portable rope bursting equipment, which saved time and cost on a tricky sewer replacement job in Trowbridge.

U Mole announce partnership with UIS (Utility Innovations Solutions Ltd) in the UK and Ireland. U Mole will offer for both hire and sale a range of exciting new innovations from UIS, which will enable their customers to save time and reduce costs and significantly remove risk to their workforce.

Groundforce are hoping they can increase their collection of industry awards after again being shortlisted in the Construction News Specialist Awards.

It’s difficult to believe that the end of another year is fast approaching. I thought that this was an ageist thing but talking with the guys in the office, everyone seems to feels the same. As usual the festive season gives us chance to reflect on the year departing and look forward at the same time. 2014 has been another good if challenging year for both Groundforce and the technical team, highlights include, in no particular order.

Stopper Specialists, a division of Groundforce, has introduced Tool Box Videos - a new online training resource to further support its growing customer base.

The technical file houses the most up to date, technical specifications of all our excavation support products and accessories.

Groundforce has completed its second contract for joint venture contractor Team Van Oord (TVO) on the Molesey Weir replacement project on the River Thames at Hampton Court.

A step by step user guide for using the Multitest Stopper from Stopper Specialists. This product assists in overcoming ovality and irregular sized pipelines.

Firstly, rather sheepish apologies for not posting a blog since September. Today’s 11/11 date seems an appropriate day for me to commit pen to paper again so to speak, as apart from the more obvious and poignant anniversary remembered on this day, it is also the date I started out in the shoring industry, way back in 1985. 

Increase site safety and boost productivity while using the Cone Pipe Stopper from Stopper Specialists. Step by step guide and best practice when using this product in a range of pipe shape profiles.

The Cylindrical Stopper is ideal for air testing, water testing and flow stopping. This videos provides a step by step user guide when inserting, using and removing this product.

Stopper Specialists, a division of Groundforce has opened a new drive-in trade centre in the Northwest, offering customers immediate access to an extensive range of flow control stoppers and pipe testing equipment.

Designed for use when air testing drainage pipes to a standard air test of 100mm of water over air. Milltest Air test stoppers are very light and easily transported, making them ideal for testing awkward to reach locations. This video is a user guide for installing, testing and removing the Milltest Stopper.

Two of Ireland’s largest windfarm projects have been constructed on behalf Bord na Mona, Ireland’s leading producer of peat based products and now renewable energy and recycling, at its Bruckana peat bog site in Tipperary and Mount Lucas site in County Offaly.

One of Groundforce Bridge’s temporary modular bridges has helped competitors complete the running course at the Macmillan Brownlee Tri North event, hosted at Harewood House, one of Yorkshires most impressive stately homes and estates.

New Trench Crossing Units from Groundforce Bridge have had their inaugural installation at one of the UK’s most prestigious golf tournaments – The Men’s Open Golf Championship, at Royal Liverpool Golf Course, in Hoylake.

After a bit of a summer break its time to put pen to paper again on the technical aspects of shoring equipment. The last two blogs have focused on trench box design, so to complete the picture; I will go through the basic design principals of the increasingly popular rolling strut box and slide rail products that we supply.

Groundforce are celebrating following the announcement they have been shortlisted for their joint submission with main contractor Costain Skanska JV (CSJV), for Technical Innovation of the Year, in the International Tunnelling & Underground Space Awards 2014.

Groundforce recently invited the local community to join them and their neighbours Bann Hire, for a family fun day and BBQ at their newest depot in Lisburn, Northern Ireland.

Designing a bespoke support system for a major excavation requires experience and ingenuity. But it’s not only the big jobs that test the engineer’s skill.

U Mole, a division of Groundforce will be exhibiting at this years No Dig Live exhibition, which will be held at the Peterborough Arena from 16th – 18th September.

No fewer than 22 of Groundforce’s massive MP250 hydraulic props have been installed as part of one of the UK’s most delicate and challenging redevelopment projects.

Groundforce Shorco (Major Projects) will be once again be Diamond sponsors of this year’s Ground Engineering Basement and Underground Structures conference, which will take place from the 30th September to 1st October.

Groundforce’s technical department has expanded its operations with the opening of a new dedicated office in the south.

There may not have been a hole in one, but competition was still fierce at Groundforce’s recent Diamond Anniversary Golf Day at The Belfry.

Groundforce Technical Director Tony Gould has been appointed a Fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers (FICE) in recognition of his contribution to the profession.

Equipment from two specialist Groundforce divisions has combined to provide a turnkey solution to a challenging task for NAMRC, the Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre.

Struts or spindles as they are sometimes known perform the understated but essential task of transmitting the forces exerted by the ground between opposing box plates.

A difficult ‘pipe eating’ project was undertaken recently for the replacement of a 300 mm diameter sewer with a 600 mm diameter pipe. The work was required because the existing sewer was under capacity for its present requirements and was causing flooding upstream.

Groundforce Shorco’s Major Project Team designed a complex basement propping solution for one the UK’s most delicate and challenging redevelopment projects in London - 5-7 St Helen’s Place, the residence for The Worshipful Company of Leathersellers, one of the City of London’s Livery Companies.

One of the many projects we are desperately trying to complete at present is the launch of our new technical file. Whilst drafting out some guidelines relating to the design of trench boxes, it struck me that this would make an ideal technical yet easy going blog submission.

Groundforce will be demonstrating how its structural support and bracing systems designs work in a project-wide Building Information Model environment at this year’s BIM Show Live.

Ground engineering hire specialists Groundforce, has opened a new purpose built training facility to help improve health and safety standards, and raise awareness on the dangers of excavation construction.

A range of energy efficient dewatering pumps supplied by Groundforce, Ireland’s leading specialist rental company, helped to save time and costs on the construction of two of Ireland’s largest windfarm projects.

Groundforce Bridge, the temporary bridge division of hire specialist Groundforce, has supplied a 10m x 6m Vehicle Bridge, and 7m Vehicle Bridge to allow contractor Babcock, reach and remove an electricity pylon in North Wales, under critical scheduling and site conditions.

Shorflo, the pump-hire division of equipment hire specialist Groundforce, has supplied Four of its Super-silent diesel pumps to help contractor Dyer & Butler underpin bridge foundations in the River Gade at Watford.

More and more engineers are turning these days towards computer numeric modelling and FEA. I have to admit that I am a bit ambivalent about it all. On the one hand, these are powerful tools capable of modelling complex scenarios and achieve incredibly accurate results in rapid timescale.

With the construction awards season well underway, Groundforce is hoping they can make it two wins in row at this year’s Ground Engineering awards, after being shortlisted in the prestigious category of Best International Project.

Early design input and a problem-solving attitude has won Groundforce Shorco a contract to provide specialist ground support for a micro-hydroelectric scheme in the heart of Durham.

Leading excavation support rental company Groundforce, has kicked off 2014 with a firm show of intent by expanding its operations and national coverage across the UK, with the opening of two new dedicated hire depots, in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

When main contractor, Babcock, needed an immediate and effective temporary bridge solution to enable access to undertake both the emergency demolition and replacement of an electricity pylon in the Dwyryd estuary, North Wales, they contacted Groundforce Bridge, who were able to meet both their technical criteria and deadline.

U Mole is pleased to announce the delivery of a new MTS CitySucker to Brenchley Civil Engineering Ltd of Farlington, near Portsmouth.

Prior to the adoption of Eurocodes in the UK, all the load capacity verifications and charts for our standard CHS struts were determined from BS 5950; EC3 although on the face of it, being a limit state code, is a natural progression from BS5950 however numerous detail changes exist within the document. 

To celebrate the Diamond Anniversary of Vp plc, Groundforce launched a competition to all readers of their seasonal e-newsletter.

For many years, Groundforce has been supporting young engineers by providing employment, training and education in many forms. Over the last five years in particular, we have sponsored a steady stream of budding engineers through university on a part time basis.

Following on from last month’s blog regarding preparations for the annual Ground Engineering Basement Conference; now this has been and gone and the dust settled, perhaps it is time to reflect on the event and to assess whether it has all been worthwhile.

After the summer’s “blog holiday” I am pleased put pen to paper again so to speak and report on our preparation for our headline marketing event; that is Ground Engineering’s Sixth Annual Basements and Underground Structures Conference; which is incredibly and rather worryingly less than a week away. 

In April’s technical blog I touched upon some of the basic principles of BIM and then started to look at what this could mean for our industry in general. 

When groundwater is likely to be encountered within and below an excavation, this generally means bad news for the designer at least due to a number of undesirable effects, including increased loads on supports, flow of material, boiling (see photo opposite) or heave of the formation etc.

Constructing a new building in a city centre requires a great deal of expertise if disruption to nearby residents and businesses is to be minimised. Speed and efficiency are key to getting the job done with the minimum of fuss and are essential to delivering the project on time and to budget.

This month I thought I would add a small introductory piece of the very topical subject of Building Information Modelling otherwise known as BIM. Grateful thanks to my colleague Dan Cuthbert for penning this blog.

British standards may come and go as do the latest industry trends and buzz words but how much has really changed in shoring in recent years? 

Apologies once again for not posting for a while; the best laid plans and all that. At least it’s good to be busy, or so they say! 2013 has already seen quite a few changes to the Groundforce Technical Department. A makeover of our main office, which has been looking a bit tired of late, has just been completed. 

User guide for the assembly, installation, use, and dismantling of the Trench Box and Backhoe Box from Groundforce Shorco.

Temporary bridge installation video for use on construction sites, events and anywhere that requires quick temporary access.

An unusually treacherous journey into work this morning reminds me that yet another year has flown by and the well earned and looked-forward to Christmas break is fast approaching.

Apologies for not posting for a while, poor excuse I know but the months just seem to fly by. For something a bit different from my usual offering, I have asked one of my technical colleagues Helen Aird to put something together along the lines of “a day in the life of a Technical Sales Engineer”. 

Following problems identified by the HSE regarding single pin connections to quick hitches, Piletec has worked with Miller UK to develop the best possible solution to the problem when working with Excavator Mounted Vibratory Piling Hammers. This research and development has taken some considerable time as Piletec considered that many of the "quick fix" fabrications offered by other suppliers actually create as many safety risks as they avoid.

After the brain ache sessions of the last two months blogging on thermal effects in struts, I thought it better to provide perhaps a gentler themed blog commensurate with the holiday season being in full swing. 

Last month we looked at the basic theory behind calculating thermally induced load effects in steel props. This month we’re going to attempt to bring this more into Groundforce’s arena by applying these theories to one of our modular hydraulically operated props.

Continuing last month’s technical theme, this month’s blog discusses another old chestnut; the effect of ambient temperature change (thermal effects) on hydraulic struts. 

Why do we so often apply the 45° rule of thumb for the influence that surcharges have on the design of excavation support?

Miller Piling needed to install a total of 1500 concrete piles on two major high profile projects in the centre of London, one residential and one mixed use. Although in close proximity to each other, both projects had different and equally challenging ground conditions to contend with. Having worked with Piletec previously on a number of projects, Miller chose to hire two Free Suspended Vibratory piling hammers.

Apologies for not posting for a while but an exceptionally busy end of year placed great demands on the technical team. It’s nice to be busy or so they say!

With a welcomed boost in activity over recent weeks, I thought this month we would give you a whistle-stop update into what is going on within Groundforce`s European adventure, an overview of some of the projects we are working on at the minute and even show you some pictures of our equipment in the ground.

For those of you who have been on tenterhooks since the basic principles of hydraulic struts entry back in March, your wait is finally over as in this edition I intend to take it one step further and delve into more advanced workings of hydraulic struts.

Firstly apologies for not submitting a blog entry for a while, must be a sign of my age but the months seem to fly by particularly when you have to compile a monthly departmental report! 

Construction of a major new hotel on London’s South Bank has required the excavation of a large two-level basement in poor ground conditions in an extremely built up location. The main contractor is GTM, a joint venture between McGee and Galliford Try, which has taken the unusual step of eliminating the use of subcontractors wherever possible.

I know last month’s entry promised you more on the principals of hydraulic struts, however there has been so much going on in the technical camp since my last transmission that I thought it might be preferable to hear about that instead……. so you’re just going to have to wait a little longer before we get back on with the joys of pre-stress!

I thought that this month I would take the opportunity to go back to basics and give a brief insight into how Groundforce propriety equipment operates and to try and explain what is actually going on within the struts when you get to work on the hand pump, or when you simply flick the lever on the labour saving motorised pump.

The second Tyne Tunnel is a £260m scheme to alleviate traffic congestion through the existing single lane each way tunnel bore. It is one of the largest road infrastructure projects in the UK in recent years. The Tunnel, due for completion in 2011, is being constructed by French contractor Bouygues mainly using traditional cut-and-cover techniques on the North and South approaches and immersed precast concrete tunnel segments sunk into the river bed for the tunnel itself.

After a well deserved festive week off, followed by the usual slow first week back, construction sites are starting to make noises again and 2011 is underway, and at pace!

As the end of year fast approaches and the wind-down begins in earnest (hope the MD does not read this!), there is a definite change in the mood of the camp here in the technical department; the telephones ring less often, the number of new projects starts to dwindle, staff rush to use up their remaining holiday entitlement and the seemingly never ending supply of sweets and cake from kind suppliers becomes available.

Value engineering (VE) is a current buzz phrases within the industry. It is a systematic process which either identifies and eliminates unnecessary costs or increases utilisation.

The latest development in proprietary support systems is the ability to equip struts with integrated wireless load monitoring capability. 

The initials “SWL” are one of the most easily recognised and understood acronyms in the construction industry; you know that something marked “SWL 5 Tonnes” can safely support a maximum load of 5 tonnes in real terms.

Construction of an unusually wide basement box in poor alluvial soil requires exceptional lateral support for the piled retaining walls. The traditional method of bracing such an excavation is to install a specially designed framework of structural steel – a method which is both expensive and time consuming.

The Limerick Tunnel is a E570 million public-private partnership scheme for the Irish Republic’s National Roads Authority. Designed to carry four lanes of traffic under the River Shannon, it forms the centrepiece of a major by-pass project for the city.

Groundforce Shorco have provided a unique ground support solution to Barhale Construction for a flood alleviation scheme in Gloucester.

All Groundforce struts are designed to comply with the resistance requirements set out in EN1993. Checks are made for the local resistance of all components such as swivel pins, bearing plates and flanged connections.

Groundforce’s heavy duty support systems reduce risk and save time on deep foundation groundworks at Vienna Metro project.

YourSolution+ and YourSolution are intended to run in parallel with each other. Read our article to find out more about the key differences.

Take a look at our YourSolution+ FAQs to find out more about the system.

Pile driving in close proximity to domestic dwellings, roads or buried services may attract restrictions on noise and vibration; restrictions that could be easily avoided by using a Piletec High frequency FSV.

Equipment hire specialist Groundforce supplies Scotland with a wide range of shoring and related equipment distributed from its two main depots in Coatbridge and Aberdeen.

Piling is an essential technique used in the construction industry to strengthen excavations and provide vital support for below-ground projects. In fact, without piling it’d be almost impossible to develop the sorts of buildings we take for granted today: high rise apartments, office blocks, car parks and residential homes with basements.

When it comes to construction, using piling equipment is of high importance, it plays a major role in construction projects, and various building sites need them at some point during the build.

Mini boxes are a straightforward method of shoring trenches. In most cases, they comprise two robust metal panels, with struts spanning between them.Mini boxes are often used in conjunction with other shoring and excavation safety equipment, such as handrails, ladders and fencing. The boxes themselves ensure the structural integrity of the trench.

Air Testers are specialized pieces of equipment that are designed to test the quality, ‘tightness’ or escape of air in a number of industrial applications. Current regulations mandate three different types of air testing take place on a construction site.

Hydrostatic testing is the most commonly used procedure for checking the performance of pressures vessels. This testing is especially brought into play to verify pressure vessels like cylinders, boilers and tubes either they have leaks or manufacturing flaws that may result in leakage.

Choosing the correct construction supplier plays an important role in the success of the job in hand. There are various factors to consider when offering a tender, some of which will be covered throughout this article.

When dealing with an excavation or trenching, safety must be of the highest importance. The following article discusses the dangers and protection when working with excavations or trenches.

Inflatable cylinder stoppers are used in construction during various phases of site preparation and in the building of long-distance supply lines. They can be used to test for both air and water leakage as well as to temporarily plug piping segments during repair.

Want to know the basics of pressure testing? It’s always useful to start from the beginning to understand what the term means. Pressure testing explained follows.

Pneumatic and Hydrostatic pressure testing can be hazardous and unsafe therefore the procedures need to be carried out with immense attention and with all precautionary measures.

Trenching and excavation activities are executed million of times around the world. Excavation is one of the most risky kinds of jobs in the construction industry and it becomes more dangerous while trench excavation is performed.

Trenchless technology is a relatively new method of installing and maintaining underground pipes and cables which does away with the need for excavation. So far it’s been successfully deployed across all types of underground utilities, including water pipes, sewers, gas pipes and electrical conduits.

Trenches are defined as being any below ground excavation which is deeper than it is wide. The deeper a trench the more dangerous it becomes, which is of particular significance for construction workers for whom trenches have become an industry staple.

Ditches can be immeasurably useful in ensuring the land remains flood-free, but they can also act as an annoying obstacle when you want to cross from one side to the other. If you need to get vehicles, equipment or large groups of people to the other side, you need a bridge that is going to guarantee stability at all times.

Box shoring is a type of excavation reinforcement which is most commonly used to secure lateral trench walls. They’re ideal for use when the excavation site floor is unstable, as they work by using spring mounted spindles and can be installed using a straightforward cut and lower technique. This also helps to minimise the size of the excavation area, which means the surrounding environment is less impacted than it otherwise might have been.

Excavation is necessary part of below-ground construction. It’s primarily used to create building foundations, but is also commonly during the laying and maintenance of below-ground pipe and cable systems.

Covering the assembly, installation, use and dismantling of the equipment.

Trenchless technology has become increasingly popular in the construction industry as it provides an environmentally and financially sound alternative to traditional excavation techniques. It comprises a collection of different construction methods.

This Groundforce ToolBox Talks video guides you through the assembly, installation, use and dismantling of the Vertishore equipment.

Trench shoring is a common technique in below-ground excavation. It’s also one of the most dangerous aspects of construction work, which should therefore be approached with caution and foresight.

This Groundforce ToolBox Talks video guides you through use of the single and double acting mega hand pump. Installation, Health and Safety, use and dismantling of the pumps are covered.

Shoring is a common technique used to reinforce below-ground excavations during construction projects, as well as to provide temporary reinforcement for above-ground structures which are in the process of being renovated or permanently reinforced by other means.

This Groundforce ToolBox Talks video guides you through the use of Groundforce Shorco Hydraulic Power Pump. This includes the Health and Safety surrounding the use of single and double acting hydraulic pumps. Installation, use, storage and dismantling of the pump is also covered.

Trench excavations are a common sight in the construction industry. Most often used to facilitate the below-ground placement of wires, pipes and other modern facilities, they’re a practical solution made necessary by our increasing dependence upon modern technology.

This Groundforce ToolBox Talks covers the use of our Rolling Strut Box. Assembly, installation, use and dismantling are covered.

“Temporary bridge” is a lay term for any floating, modular structure. They’re generally used during periods of construction, when regularly-available pedestrian or vehicular bridges have become inaccessible. They can also be used for events, and come in particularly handy when goods need to be transported to and/or from a rural location.

This Groudforce ToolBox Talks video covers the use of the Waler system in trenches. Light duty aluminium units and heavy duty steel units are covered.

Excavation is one of the most fundamental aspects of modern construction. Not only do our buildings increasingly sturdy reinforcements, but modern inventions, such as telephone wires, domestic pipes and electrical grids, have also necessitated the development of more complex and permanent below-ground placement.

The 1.2m diameter strut can be assembled in configurations up to 45m long and withstand axial loads up to 500t; hence the name MP500. The adjustable end unit, shown being installed here spanning between RC diaphragm walls, uses the versatility of hydraulic adjustment and the security twin mechanical locking screws to withstand these high loadings with complete safety and security.

This Groundforce ToolBox Talks video covers the use of a Mega Brace. Covering the assembly, installation, use and dismantling of the equipment.

Rolling Strut Double Slide Rail installation and user guide, excavation support available from Groundforce Shorco