all foundations header



foundations image



foundations animation

Aspire, University of Nottingham.

All Foundations had the job of installing the foundations for Nottingham’s latest landmark – a 60m high work of art which is now the UK’s tallest freestanding sculpture. The sculture, which is a cylinder of steel lattice work has been installed as a symbol of ambition, knowledge and optimism for the city.

Client: Northfield Construction
Consulting Engineer: Price & Myers
Value of Foundations: £32,000
Scope of Works: 48 No. 2502 pre-cast piles (structure)
24 No. 2502 pre-cast piles (bridge)


case-study-0011

case-study-0012





Click image to enlarge.
The Jubilee Campus of the University of Nottingham, formerly the Raleigh factory is home to the new sculpture. An anonymous benefactor with an interest in the arts donated the funds for the structure which is the tallest free standing work of art in the UK.

Foundations

The main consideration was providing sufficient strength for the overall height of the structure. 48 No. 6m deep 250mm2 pre-cast piles were installed to provide support for the reinforced concrete foundations. The piles have a 450kN capacity which need to deal with both compression and tension due to the height of the structure.

Further works at the Jubilee Campus Once the foundations were installed, All Foundations negotiated further pre-cast works on the site with Northfield Construction. A footbridge was added to the site over the River Leen with the foundations consisting of 24 No. 6m deep 2502 pre-cast piles with a safe working load of 250kN.

The piles were installed in May 2008 with the structure being erected at the end of May. The total time taken for the foundations on this site was 3 days for the structure and 2 days for the bridge.

“We felt very honoured to be involved on such a high profile contract. Dealing with a structure on this scale is always a challenge for foundation works, but Northfield Construction knew our capabilities and we completed the foundations to the required high standard – after all, we expect this structure to be here as a long-term legacy to the people of Nottingham. Northfield asked us to return to the site to install further piles for a footbridge, which is proof that the job was undertaken well.” Said Mike Lloyd, Contracts Director.

The structure was unveiled at a ceremony and attracted national press coverage. The ‘Aspire’ name was chosen after a competition within staff and students at the University and represents aspiration, achievement and ambition.