Client: Armata Construction
Location: Ifield Avenue, Crawley
Role: Temporary Works Designer
Discipline: Reinforced Concrete Design / Geotechnical Engineering / Temporary Works
Standards: CIRIA C761, BS EN 1992 (Eurocode 2), BS EN 1997 (Eurocode 7), BS 8500, BS 8666

Project overview

Amrose Associates was appointed by Armata Construction to provide the temporary works design for the foundations supporting a Potain HUP 30/40 self-erecting tower crane at the Ifield Avenue development in Crawley.

The project required bespoke reinforced concrete pad foundations designed to safely transfer the crane loads into the underlying ground and provide stability under both operational and out-of-service conditions. This involved considering bearing capacity, overturning, sliding, punching shear and settlement as part of a coordinated structural and geotechnical design.

Our temporary works package covered foundation sizing, reinforcement detailing and geotechnical verification, together with the ground preparation and testing requirements needed to support the safe erection and operation of the crane on site.

The challenge

Tower crane foundations have to accommodate significant forces, not only from the weight of the crane but also from lifting operations, the position of the jib and changing wind conditions. This creates a combination of concentrated vertical loads, horizontal forces and overturning moments that the foundation and underlying ground need to safely withstand.

At Ifield Avenue, a permanent foundation was not appropriate at this stage of the construction programme, so a temporary solution was needed that would provide the required stability while also being practical to construct and use on site.

The design needed to:

  • Safely support the crane loads and overturning forces throughout operation
  • Transfer concentrated loads into the ground without exceeding its bearing capacity
  • Control settlement and maintain stability during lifting operations
  • Provide sufficient resistance to sliding and eccentric loading, including under the most demanding crane positions
  • Allow the crane to be safely erected, operated and removed in line with the construction programme

The challenge was therefore to bring the structural and geotechnical requirements together in a temporary foundation design that was robust, buildable and appropriate for the conditions on site.

How we helped

Our team brought together reinforced concrete design and geotechnical engineering to develop a coordinated temporary works solution for the crane foundations.

By considering the structure and the ground conditions together, we were able to design foundations that could safely accommodate the crane loads while providing Armata Construction with clear, practical information for construction on site.

Our work included:

  • Designing 1600mm x 1600mm x 600mm deep reinforced concrete pad foundations for each crane outrigger location
  • Designing and specifying the reinforcement in accordance with Eurocode 2
  • Carrying out the geotechnical design and verification in accordance with Eurocode 7
  • Considering how the crane loads would be safely transferred through the foundations into the underlying ground
  • Coordinating the structural and geotechnical requirements within one temporary works design package

The result was a practical, fully coordinated design that gave the site team the information they needed to construct the foundations and prepare for the safe installation of the crane.

Outcome

The completed temporary works package provided Armata Construction with a robust and fully coordinated foundation solution, supporting the safe installation and operation of the self-erecting tower crane throughout the construction programme.

By bringing structural and geotechnical engineering together, we were able to address the crane loading, ground conditions and practical requirements of the site within one clear and auditable design.

The project is a good example of how our multidisciplinary approach to temporary works can help contractors manage complex engineering challenges safely and practically.

If you need temporary works support on an upcoming project, speak to the Amrose Associates team to see how we can help. Ask Amrose: Email enquiries@amroseassociates.com or call 0113 391 9840