Working with Dunnecht Estates for 4 weeks in Aberdeen
CAN designed and delivered a slope stabilisation solution to protect the historic headland after signs of ground failure were identified. With no practical land access for heavy equipment, helicopters were used to transport plant and materials, allowing the works to be completed safely in this unique coastal setting.
CAN undertook a design and build contract at Dunnottar Castle, a medieval castle located on a rocky headland on the north-east coast of Scotland. During routine geotechnical inspection of the slopes and rock faces by CAN, a failure of a section of soil slope on the seaward side of the headland was identified.
With the area at risk of further failure of the slope, to protect the historic castle walls, CAN designed a soil nail, tensile steel netting and erosion matting stabilisation solution. With access to the headland being limited to a footpath down and then up steep steps, and through tight passageways, mobilisation of plant and equipment to carry out the works was problematic and could not be carried out using the land-based access route.
CAN therefore arranged for a helicopter to lift heavy items to the worksite, planning the works to utilise items in loads of 1000kg or less to fit within the maximum payload of the helicopter. With a temporary closure of the castle and surrounding access roads and footpaths, the helicopter lifts were carried out safely and with equipment in place; CAN undertook the drilling work using a slope-mounted A-frame drill rig and installed the rock netting over the failure, before lifting plant out again at the end of the job.
