en.Wedoany.com Reported - Specialist ground engineering company Geobear recently carried out emergency ground stabilization works on an abandoned tunnel near Salford Central railway station in the UK. The tunnel, at risk of collapse due to significant water ingress, is located directly beneath a buffer stop for a private railway line being laid by Kier Group. Geobear successfully stabilized the tunnel using a non-intrusive ground improvement solution, restoring its capacity to bear heavy loads without disrupting the overall construction project.
The new Salford railway line, connecting Salford Central station to a concrete plant, has its buffer stop positioned directly above the abandoned tunnel. Due to the tunnel's proximity to a nearby canal, severe water ingress has led to highly saturated soil and significant damage to the arch structure. Initially proposed solutions included cement grouting, sheet piling, and excavation of existing fill, but these were abandoned due to the site's proximity to operational railway infrastructure and insufficient understanding of the tunnel's condition.
With only four weeks remaining until track installation and a mobilization and design window of just two weeks, Kier Group required rapid assistance. Geobear completed the design of a ground improvement solution within two weeks and obtained approval from all stakeholders, including Network Rail. Technicians then mobilized to the site, working 12-hour shifts to ensure continuous operations, and completed the ground improvement works in just one weekend. This rapid-cure solution required no excavation and caused no delays or disruption to the construction project. Geobear's ground improvement solution is non-leaching, with a design life of 120 years, ensuring long-term stability of the tunnel area while reducing risks to wildlife and preventing contamination of the canal environment.
Tom Highton, Project Manager at Kier Transportation, said: "We gave Geobear an extremely challenging task, requiring them to complete the design and plan the construction solution in such a short time. This is an excellent product that solved a complex engineering problem and eliminated multiple risks from our initial approach. From initial engagement to completion of site works, the expertise and experience of Geobear's engineers helped us complete the task safely and successfully." Stephen Farr, Geobear's Rail Manager, noted that traditional remediation methods were unsuitable for the structural sensitivity of the damaged area, whereas Geobear's remediation process could directly target the affected zone while maintaining the integrity of the surrounding infrastructure.
This article is compiled by Wedoany. All AI citations must indicate the source as "Wedoany". If there is any infringement or other issues, please notify us promptly, and we will modify or delete it accordingly. Email: news@wedoany.com
