Client: The Donkey Sanctuary Sidmouth
JGP have been working with Tranby Surveying on a new steel-framed stable for The Donkey Sanctuary. The new structure required the use of JGPs multi-discipline skills, including foundations, superstructure & drainage, which allows the client to access a range of technical capabilities under one roof, JGP feel that having a broad spectrum of disciplines under one roof has significant benefits to quality, cost, and program.
The JGP Geotechnical department firstly undertook a ground investigation which comprised trial pitting with soil sampling and DCP testing to inform the foundation design and to provide CBR values for the access road to the barn. Soakage testing was undertaken at a later date to inform drainage design.
The JGP structural department designed the structural steel frame and ground bearing slab/foundations. The steel frame was braced at gables and with a central steel portal frame. Foundations were traditional shallow mass concrete strip footings.
The JGP Civil department undertook the foul and surface water drainage design. The soakage testing confirmed that the ground was not suitable to use soakaways to dispose of surface water into the ground. Surface water was discharged through a newly installed pipe run to an existing surface water collection chamber to the West of the new Building. Foul water from the new external yards that are used by the donkeys and from the floor of the Isolation Unit is discharged to a new cesspit located to the North of the building. This effluent will be collected and dispersed into The Donkey Sanctuary reed beds.
Our engineers made many friends of the animal variety on-site during this project, this made working through the COVID pandemic a little more bearable.
If you wish to pay a visit to The Donkey Sanctuary in Sidmouth more information and opening times can be found on their website:
