Newman’s Sluice is a fluvial control structure situated on the Lower River Lee Flood Relief Channel. The installation forms part of the Environment Agency’s Lee Valley flood alleviation scheme and comprises four electrically powered, automatically controlled vertical lift sluice gates. The project covered the replacement of degraded mild steel gates, supporting structures and equipment dating from the 1960’s with the purpose of modernising the design and functionality of the installation and bringing it up to date with H&S requirements and compliance with modern industrial standards.
Atkins was awarded the contract for delivery of the mechanical and structural design of the new gates and supporting structures from concept through to final detail drawings. This included the specification of the electrical systems; development of the automatic control philosophy; production of the OMM and technical consultancy support during manufacture, installation, testing and commissioning.
The new installation comprises four 6.98m wide x 2.81m tall, 4.5 tonne stainless steel gates. Each gate is independently actuated by a winch assembly comprising an actuator-gearbox combination. Each gate is fitted with four guide wheels and runs in stainless steel guide channels cast into concrete piers. The winch assemblies are located above the gates on bespoke galvanised mild steel platforms. The platforms span the concrete piers across the width of the channel and provide a means of structural support and service/walkway access. Directly above each gate and mounted to the platforms are a series of overhead runway lifting beams under-slung from portal frames. These provide a means of lifting the gates in an emergency, via manual chain blocks.
A novel control philosophy was implemented to provide a downstream sweetening flow to sustain wildlife habitats due to the improvements to the gate sealing solution.
The scope of work for Atkins Rotherham included the following:
Detail Design
- Design of bespoke stainless steel gates, guide channels and guide wheels;
- Design of the wire rope winch system to BS2573-1 and 2;
- Design of steelwork superstructure and flooring to BS5950;
- Design of overhead lifting beams and portal frames to BS2853 and BS5950;
- Development of the automatic control philosophy and electrical specification;
- Safety driven design. All site aspects designed in accordance with stringent EA safety requirements and to the requirements of site operators.
Construction and Commissioning Assistance
- Provided technical consultancy services during installation, testing and commissioning.
- Authoring of Operations and Maintenance Manual
Feedback
- The client and end users expressed their great approval of the design, citing it as a huge improvement over the existing installation and commended the design team on their effective cross-discipline teamwork.
For more information contact Andrew Taylor on 01709 388233 or email us
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