Bennett Associates' reputation for mechanical engineering
design, coupled with its rapid response and solution finding capability, has
once again been put to good use.
Difficulties in sinking shafts under balanced head conditions
through hard clay on NORTH WEST WATER LTD's Fylde Coastal Water Improvement
scheme prompted AMEC Tunnelling to contact Bennett Associates to design a
solution.
Overall requirements were established and a brief feasibility
appraisal produced a conceptual design which incorporated new equipment working
in combination with AMEC's existing spoil removal shaft grab arrangements.
An order was placed on Bennett Associates to carry out the
development, detail design and project management of the manufacture of the
complete system.
Following a six week development and detailed design period,
manufacturing was carried out within eight working weeks of order placement on
the suppliers.
The system is designed for use within a 6mm internal diameter
shaft, sinking to a depth of 35m. The hydraulically powered telescopic excavator
assembly, incorporating fixed and rotating supporting rings, allows full
excavation of the shaft bottom extending out to the shaft cutting edge.
|
