A high-profile client in Kampala is constructing a new office building adjacent to their current premises along Ggaba Road. EA Piling was selected as the preferred subcontractor to perform all geotechnical construction works. The project involved installing CFA piles and ground anchors for a basement retaining wall with an excavated depth varying between 2m and 11.5m. EA Piling also cast reinforced concrete capping beams along the top of the piles and waling beams at the same level as the ground anchors around the perimeter of the excavation.

Upon award of the subcontract, EA Piling swiftly mobilised to site begin works. The CM50 rig was employed to install all of the CFA piles. Working in collaboration with professional geotechnical engineers, the most efficient retaining wall was designed. The piles were 650mm in diameter and ranged between 10.5m and 15m in length. The CFA method of was chosen due to its higher speed of installation over rotary bored methods of piling. This provided the client with a cost-effective and time-efficient solution which met all of the requirements.

Once all of the piles had been installed, EA Piling progressed to begin installation of the ground anchors. The ground anchors were installed using the Klemm KR 803-1 drilling rig. The anchors were composed of high tensile steel strands, 45mm in diameter in total. The anchors were drilled into the ground in between consecutive piles at 20 degrees to the horizontal.

The purpose of the anchors is to provide permanent lateral support to the retaining wall, acting against the active soil pressures of the excavation. The length of the anchors varied between 18m and 24m and were all prestressed to a force of up to 500kN.

Having successfully completed these works for such a prestigious client, EA Piling looks forward to completing more retaining wall and ground anchor projects in the future.