Aarsleff Ground Engineering Ltd

Frydd Wood, Elan Valley Aqueduct

Installing soil nails

By: Me, myself and I

Published: April 1, 2021

The BNM Alliance (a joint venture between Barhale and North Midland Construction) awarded Aarsleff Ground Engineering the contract to design, supply and install a soil nailed slope to allow, with associated works, the launching of a tunnel boring machine for the Severn Trent Elan Valley Aqueduct Rehabilitation project in Wales.
The original aqueduct was built between 1893 and 1904. Fast forward over 100 years and the aqueduct still provides drinking water from the Elan Valley to Severn Trent’s customers in Birmingham. The aqueduct transports high quality water entirely by gravity. Having supplied water for over 100 years, the aqueduct is beginning to tire in three key locations and offline replacements are necessary.

8 (No.) test nails were installed on the 17th July. These were tested to destruction to confirm the design prior to production works starting. With its Klemm 806 rig, Aarsleff will then installed 670 (No.) 100mm diameter fully galvanised R32 -280 self-drilling soil nails of 6-16m in length.

In addition to the soil nails, approximately 670 (No.) head plate and nut were supplied and fixed. The soil nailed wall has an estimated 1250m2 area to which Aarsleff has supplied and fixed a steel mesh and geotextile facing. Aarsleff were on site from 24th July with completion 15th September 2017. Aarsleff showcased its previous work in soil nail projects of similar size to the main contractor before winning the contract to demonstrate its technical capabilities and expertise whilst simultaneously, assuring the client of cost, time and quality. Aarsleff Ground Engineering has sought value engineering primarily through optimisation of the soil nail layout and facing mesh.
The self-drilling soil nails were procured from Barnsley-based Minova and possess a hollow bar, which is used for drilling ether with water flush, air flush or cement grout flush and are extended by using couplers. The standard couplers have a design which ensures end-to-end bearing of the hollow bars to transfer percussive energy from the top hammer to the drill bit whilst a sealing ring in the centre stop, minimised flush spillage during drilling. The soil nails also possesses a sacrificial drill bit.

The rig we employed is designed for the use of powerful double head drilling units, hydrualic drifters or rotary heads. It can also be equipped with drill masts either with feed gear or cylinder feed systems, with the option of fitting lattice mast extensions, the modularity of which, allows the adaption of a variety of options, which makes the drill rig ideal for anchoring, micro piling, jet grouting and even geothermal drilling. After completion, two percent of all working nails will be ‘Acceptance’ tested to validate the design and provide confidence as to the quality of the installation.

Scope of works

670 (No.) 100mm soil nails
670 (No.) head plate and nut
1250m2 steel mesh and geotextile facing

Construction period

17th July 2017 – 15th September 2017

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Frydd Wood, Elan Valley Aqueduct

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Location North East | Durham Discipline Project Delivery | Design Contract type Permanent Job reference 67417BR Work pattern Full-time Recruiter Lauren Hutchinson Sector Water | Wastewater Interested? APPLY HERE Mott MacDonald Bentley (MMB) is the design and build unit of global engineering consultancy Mott MacDonald. Our Design Leads are responsible for large projects or programmes […]

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Senior Infrastructure Project Manager with strong pipeline experience is required for a critical role in the Southern Water region. This position is centered on the setup and scoping of AMP 8 works for all piping and infrastructure projects, valuing up to £1m - £10m.

Senior Process Engineer (67418BR)

Sectors: Planning/Pre-Contract/Commercial

Categories: Project Delivery, Site Engineers

Locations: London, Midlands, North East, North West

End: 30 Sep 2025

Contract: Permanent

Location	North East \| Durham	Discipline	Project Delivery \| Design
Contract type	Permanent	Job reference	67417BR
Work pattern	Full-time	Recruiter	Lauren Hutchinson
Sector	Water \| Wastewater	Interested?	APPLY HERE

Mott MacDonald Bentley (MMB) is the design and build unit of global engineering consultancy Mott MacDonald. Our Design Leads are responsible for large projects or programmes of work, managing between one and three Project Leaders as well as specialist multi-discipline designers to deliver for our clients.

As a Senior Process Engineer, you will be accountable for the design of a programme of water and wastewater infrastructure and non-infrastructure projects through the outline and detailed design, construction, commissioning, and handover. You will be responsible for building a project team comprised of electrical, mechanical, civil, and process designers who will support your Project Leader. You will provide the direction and co-ordination to enable your project teams to complete the designs in accordance with the specifications, to programme and within budget.

This role will provide you with the opportunity to develop your technical and management skills, grow your professional network, and provide you with excellent long-term potential to advance your career.

Candidate Specification

Chemical Engineering or relevant Process Engineering related degree, preferably chartered.
Experience and understanding of water and/or wastewater unit processes and treatment plant, with experience of delivering process design for wastewater projects.
Experience of HAZOP studies as chair or team member would be advantageous

What we can offer

At Mott MacDonald Bentley you will be offered a competitive salary which is commensurate based on your experience. Our core benefits include:

Pension matched up to 7%
Competitive annual leave and the option to purchase additional annual leave
Life assurance
Enhanced parental leave
Annual professional institution subscription costs
Flexible benefits to suit you, including cycle to work scheme and interest free season ticket loans