We undertake temporary works design with particular specialist knowledge in the field of what we call sub-structure temporary works. According to BS 5975:2019, temporary works provide an engineered solution which supports or protects either a pre-existing structure or the permanent works during construction, or supports plant and/or equipment, or the vertical / side-slopes of an excavation during construction operations or to provide access to site or areas of the site. Temporary works are concerned with the control of stability, strength, deflection, fatigue, geotechnical effects and hydraulic effects within defined limits.
Temporary works can be considered to include, but is not limited to:
Sub-structure temporary works could be considered as a sub-set of the broader discipline. Temporary works design that we normally undertake:
The way we like to think about it is that the great thing about temporary works design is that it’s engineering in its most raw form. Imagine the outer skin of your car was completely transparent so that, as you were driving to site, people could look inside and see you working the throttle, clutch & brake – could see the cam shaft rotate and the pistons oscillate. Temporary works design is exposed like this. There’s no rendered finish or architectural cladding to disguise the load path – everything is there to be examined. One of the upshots of this is that there’s also a greater emphasis on minimising superfluous materials and avoiding over-engineering of structural elements because costs are so much more difficult to justify for a temporary element. The design needs to be lean and efficient and it will be there for all to inspect and scrutinise.
We actively participate as a member the Temporary Works Forum and advocate for adequate consideration and management of temporary works design in the construction industry. In all of our design work, we consider not only what is to be built but, also, how it should be built and a deep knowledge of temporary works design and procedures is necessary for us to be most effective for our customers.
Just came across this amazing simulation of the last British and Irish ice sheet by @NiallGandy & @BRITICECHRONO - lots of detail in there, which can be helpful in explaining why the glacial sediments are so wonderfully complicated! Open access here: doi.org/10.1016/j.quas… pic.twitter.com/dhhJJdAWch