Drax Power Station

• Project Ecostore Rail Unload Building
• Principal Contractor Volker Ground Engineering
• Key Benefit Significant time savings in the installation and excitation process

MGF were first contacted by Volker Ground Engineering (VGE) to provide budget costs for the design and supply of 3 levels of modular propping for the 18m deep basement in the Rail Unload Building. A cost comparison was conducted by VGE and a welded steel frame was initially thought to be cheaper.

MGF were able to demonstrate that the modular frame offered a significantly shorter lead time (2 weeks) and offered significant time savings (6+ weeks) in the installation and extraction process. MGF identified that the Groundworker would not be able to continue to excavate until the steel frame had been installed in its entirety. So using a faster to install modular frame offered considerable time savings reducing install works from over 3 weeks to just 5 days.

Due to delays in the existing programme and tight deadlines, the modular option was more favourable as the time and expense saved in programme significantly outweighed the additional cost.

The modular frame design was modelled in Autodesk REVIT, software specifically built for Building Information Modelling (BIM), enabling MGF to demonstrate all aspects of the scheme to Volker Ground Engineering and the Project Team at the pre-construction stage.

The use of REVIT was particularly useful as the design was technically demanding. The software allowed MGF to demonstrate to all stakeholders that the design brief had been fully satisfied.

Working collaboratively with Volker Ground Engineering, the permanent works engineers RPS, category III temporary works checker Saldanha Design and Management,

steel fabricators William Hare and principal contractor Shepherd Construction, MGF provided design services, installation guidance, supply of equipment and aftercare.