Client: Sharpham Estate
A flooding event at Sharpham Estate caused a 14.5m length of an old stone retaining wall to collapse. The collapse was immediately adjacent to a public footpath which forms part of the Dart Valley Trail so remediation was of the utmost importance to the Sharpham Trust.
Our geotechnical department carried out a ground investigation which comprised of window sample boreholes with in-situ standard penetration tests and dynamic probe holes to provide information on the ground profile including indicative depth to rockhead and equivalent relative density/consistency of superficial soils.
The information from the ground investigation allowed the JGP structural engineering team to design the reinforced concrete retaining wall which is supported on a piled foundation.
JGP supported the client during the tender stage to compile a tender package and liaising with contractors during the tender stage.
Following the award of the contract to Bridge Civil Engineering Ltd (bridgecivileng.co.uk) under the JCT Minor Works 2016 conditions of contract, JGP carried out construction stage support which included reviewing and certifying the contractor’s monthly payment applications. Principal Designer duties under the CDM 2015 regulations were also fulfilled by JGP.
The construction of the new wall took around eleven weeks to complete over the summer of 2021, several progress site visits were undertaken by JGP Associate Director, Richard Glover, during the build.
The new reinforced concrete retaining wall has been faced with the original stone that formed the failed wall, a two arch design was incorporated into the stonework facing to mimic historic arches present in the original wall. the Sharpham Trust provided old photographs and drawings of the site to the stonemasons to be able to replicate the original arch details, approximately 30 tonnes of stone were used to face the retaining wall (original and some imported).
The Sharpham Trust run retreats on mindfulness and well-being in the most idyllic setting, as well as being the home of Sharpham wine.
For more information on the trust go to their website sharphamtrust.org
