“The Hedge” Buddina Secant Piling

RDG Construction Pty Ltd were appointed to construct The Hedge at Buddina. On this highly sought after location close to the beach, surf club, shops, university and healthcare ASP Piling installed a secant pile wall. The development planned for commercial use on the lower level with wine bars, cafes, restaurants and specialty stores. The residential apartments are in one, two and three bedroom configurations on the five levels above. This includes 92 apartments and five additional penthouses. Construction is expected to be completed mid 2019.

ASP Piling was engaged to retain the site where basement excavations will extend from 2.9 and 3.3 metres below ground level, with additional lift pits internally. A single level basement car park was being constructed underneath the two six storey residential apartment buildings.

The Bauer RTG piling rig was used, along with the Kubota excavator, a Franna crane, EWP, compressors and concrete pumps to install approximately 235 lineal metres of secant piling for the basement retention walls. The secant option was used as the neighbouring buildings were close to the property boundary and to allow the excavation depth of approximately 3 metres varying according to site and design requirements.

An internal spear dewatering system was installed throughout the basement construction process as groundwater inflow levels had previously been detected from a depth of just over 1 metre. A groundwater pH buffering treatment system, sedimentation tank and a pioneer heavy metals reduction unit were used onsite to balance the pH, reduce the turbidity and high presence of iron in the water prior to discharge from the site. All tanks were operational prior to the commencement of dewatering from the site to ensure the measured discharge is meets or exceeds the required water quality standards. For the dewatering management on “The Hedge”, the initial dewatering discharge is directed back within the site to allow the initial clarification of the extracted groundwater. The samples of treated groundwater were analysed to ensure measured parameters are met before discharging from site.

As is standard practice, a Dewatering Management Plan was put in place prior to commencement of dewatering for environmental and quality control.

Ocean is one of the newest developments by Meriton on the beachfront at the Gold Coast. The site used to house the 22 storey International Beach Hotel built in the 1960’s. With the Gold Coast market still strong, the Australian building giant has started the development of its first truly beachfront block. ASP Piling has the privilege of installing secant piling, anchors and ADS the dewatering for the site.

This 74 storey development will encompass residential apartments, a five star hotel and retail precinct. There will be a recreation area on the top floor including a pool and barbeque area.

Mainland Civil have contracted ASP Piling for the retention and in-ground works on the site for the three level basement. Using a combination of secant piling, sheet piling and anchoring for almost 400 lineal metres of shoring. The piling includes the core lift pits and temporary sheet piling, as well as shot-crete finishing for some sections. Using a partial top down construction process allowed for a section of the site to be propped without anchoring as can be seen in the photographs.

ASP has also completed the removal of the existing foundation piles from the previous building, The International Hotel which occupied the site. On a number of occasions, ASP Piling have been required to remove pre-existing foundation piles from the site prior to commencement of a new project. In doing so we have developed our own equipment to assist in the removal process, giving our clients additional services that we can provide on-site.

The dewatering  will be undertaken by Australian Dewatering Systems. Being so close to the ocean, this property requires a combination of specifically tailored dewatering techniques providing de-watering to the required depth, including the cores and lift pits. Given the duration and depth of the excavation, our monitoring system will be used to ensure the system keeps the site dry throughout construction. A dewatering management plan and compliance monitoring are part of the services provided.