St Albans – Slipform Flying High

We took possession of the St Albans Place Leeds project on the 3rd July 2017 to deliver a new student accommodation development providing 376 studios over 18 storeys. Following the bulk dig and piling operations, our specialist concrete frame subcontractor, Northfield Construction commenced the formation of the central concrete core using a technique called ‘slipforming’ which will accommodate a central precast stair and three pedestrian lifts.

Our strategy from the outset was to slipform the core due to the tight inner city centre and programme optimisation. In conjunction with our novated structural engineers Curtins, we developed a permanent design for the core to cater for these challenges with the tower crane being located on top of the core.

Following the design, delivery, and installation of the slipform components, the ‘rig’, with the use of hydraulic rams, clamps, and climbing tubes, then started to be slipped skywards on the 18th October 2017 pouring and striking concrete at an average rate of 2.4m per working day.

The final pour on the structure was complete on the 24th November 2017 giving an overall construction duration of just over 5 weeks. We are looking forward to seeing the tower crane installed on top of the slender core structure early in the New Year.

Following the completion, the Kier site team presented Northfield Construction with a chocolate cake in recognition of the safe construction of the central concrete core. Senior Project Manager, David Wilson, praised the Northfield team during the presentation for their commitment to safe working on this element of the concrete frame. During the 5 week construction period there were no accidents or incidents on the project, which is position worthy of recognition, given the effort, and time, worked on the rig by Northfields staff and operatives. Some might say that the construction of the slipform was “a piece of cake”!