Routine inspections identified that the beams supporting the landings to the Turners Road Penstock chambers had suffered such a large loss of section that they were unable to support the loading created by maintenance or operations teams. In addition, it was presumed they were likely to fail in the short term under the weight of the Yorkstone flooring.
The full replacement of the landings was considered a priority. The major challenge was to carry out repairs in a confined space beneath a busy London street without accessing or loading the existing floors whilst working above open mains sewers. The works would require removal and replacement of heavy masonry slabs and steel floor beams.
Using a combination of confined space and industrial rope access techniques, CAN technicians created a high level access system within the chambers using lightweight CAN Span, assisted in the initial survey of the structure, installed a bespoke gantry crane within the roof space of the penstocks and then carried out the repair works without stepping foot on the failing floor structures.
Having removed the Yorkstone slabs, the gantry cranes supported heavy cutting equipment that was used to cut the landing support beams into lengths capable of being removed through passageways and shafts.
Once the original landings had been completely removed from the two chambers, suitable recesses were cut into the chamber walls and stainless steel beams were subsequently installed to support the new landings. Additional platforms were then installed to ensure ease of future access and maintenance of this Victorian structure.
Duration: 14 Months
Client: Optimise
Location: East London