The last pile for this year’s bridge program was replaced today. Unfortunately the removal proved to be the trickiest part, with the old bolts taking several hours to get out.
Once we’d taken the old pile out and renewed the sill, we were able to trim the prepared pile to the correct length.
We drafted in the big digger with it’s grabs to make the job a little easier.
And easy it was, from picking the pile up to the final tweaks was less than 10 minutes, much easier than Tuesday’s method of slinging it with a chain.
Once the props were out, a little gentle weight from above to settle everything is always wise before backfilling.
And backfilled! If the bolts had chosen to behave themselves and come out easily this morning, we would have had enough time to bolt up the new pile, however at least it’ll keep tomorrow’s crew busy.
Tomorrow’s gang will head out from Maldon at 8am and be on site from 8.30am onwards.
VGR Civil Blog 