The largest naval base in Western Europe, Devonport has been supporting the Royal Navy since 1691. The vast site covers more than 650 acres and has 15 dry docks, four miles of waterfront, 25 tidal berths and five basins Full demolition, using high reach demolition plant and foundation removal to former office building within the Devonport dockyard complex, incorporating asbestos removal, soft strip and full site clearance for follow on development.
The Project Specification was to provide complete removal of building associated structures to below slab level and land preparation for the development of the demolition areas.
The 10-storey office building, constructed in the late sixties, with a combination of insitu concrete frame with precast concrete panels dowelled to the perimeter elevations.
Challenges
- Significant soft strip and asbestos removal works were identified and removed under fully controlled conditions to prepare the building for demolition.
- Part of the structure was immediately adjacent to a main dockyard site entrance which was in use 24/7, therefore detailed planning of the high reach demolition process was required to minimise disruption to the dockyard operation.
- A newly built office was located parallel to the demolition activities, requiring environmental monitoring of noise, dust and vibration, with protection measures to prevent debris contact with the new glass clad structure.
- Following the installation of carriageway protection mats, the demolition process was carried out to a finely planned schedule agreed with the MOD, to minimise the effects of the exclusion zones on the dockyard activities.
- Coordination with the client, stakeholders and Naval Base were key to ensure works ran smoothly and the top level security was maintained.
- Daily briefings with the client team ensured that dockyard personnel were aware of planned exclusion zones and the protection being installed to protect adjacent assets.
Successes
- Principal Demolition Contractor for all aspects of the decommissioning / demolition / preconstruction works.
- Outstanding relationship with the Client and Project Support Teams.
- Achieved all schedule milestones.
- Substantial concrete foundations were broken out and removed from site to prepare the site for immediate re development. The project was able to be completed successfully under challenging circumstances utilising the in-house demolition expertise and resources of the John F Hunt Group of companies.
Curtain Wall
The close proximity of neighbours and MOD assets included the need for use of a Curtain Wall to deflect debris and protect the neighbouring structures.
Coordination with the client, stakeholders and the Naval Base were key to ensure works run smoothly and the top-level security was maintained.
Daily briefings with the client team ensured that dockyard personnel were aware of planned exclusion zones and Curtain Wall protection being installed to protect adjacent assets.
