Pump station construction using segmental shafts 03 9544 8833
This article will explain how segmental shafts can be used to construct pump stations by the caisson method.
The caisson method is perfect for situations where there is a high water table and the ground is made up of low strength material, such as sands, alluvial material, peats, loams and soft clays.
Generally pump stations are constructed at the low points of a pipeline system that is why they are required.t The ground at these points in the pipeline tend to provide difficult conditions for constructing pump stations i.e. wet sandy silt, or wet alluvial and running sand etc… This is where segmental shafts constructed by the caisson method come into their own.
By using the caisson method we eliminate the problems associated with high water tables because we do not need to dewater the shaft to construct the pump station. There are many advantages with this such as no cost of pumping and treating the water as well as eliminating the risk of subsidence associated with dewatering.
Segments bolted together at the surface form the walls of the pump station. The pump station is excavated from the top with an excavator with clamshell bucket attachment. Hydraulic rams control the line and level of the pump station as it progresses down into the ground. More segments are added to the shaft from the top to make up the walls of the pump station.
Other advantages of segmental shaft construction using the caisson method over other methods of pump station construction is the elimination of the need to put personnel into the shaft during construction. Because the shaft is excavated from the surface and the segments are installed at the surface there is no need to put personnel in the pump station during construction.
No temporary bracing is required like that used in sheet piled shafts or secant piled shafts. There is no down time waiting for the concrete to cure like in cast in situ caissons.
No build out of the pump station is required as the segmental lining acts as the permanent structure.
When the shaft is at its intended depth a base also known as a plug is installed. What you are left with is a perfectly uniform concrete structure ready to install the mechanical and electrical components of your pump station.
The diameters of the made up rings come in a range of sizes from 3.0 metre diameter up to 25 metre diameter. The depth of the pump station is not limited and go as deep as is required.
If you are interested in learning more please contact us to discuss further.
