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White Young Green (Ireland), consultant to the built, natural
and social environment, has won the Association of Consulting
Engineers of Ireland (ACEI) 2008 Award for Innovation for
the Ropewalk Development at Sir John Rogerson's Quay in Dublin.
The prestigious award is presented on a bi-annual basis for
projects completed in the preceding 3 years that show innovative
and original engineering techniques and solutions.
WYG was commissioned by Haytonvale Ltd. to provide a cost-effective
solution for the heavily contaminated 2.75-acre site at Sir
John Rogerson's Quay. Following detailed cost analysis, an
in-situ treatment was decided upon and a soil mixing
technique was chosen as the appropriate method. Prior to this,
soil mixing was used as an engineering solution in Ireland
- but had limited use as an environmental solution. This was
the first project in Ireland to use this combined solution
on such a scale.
The project involved detailed quantitative risk assessment,
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) licence application
and surrender, over 5,000 soil mix columns, a groundwater
cut-off wall, a groundwater treatment plant, bulk soil excavation,
environmental monitoring, finite element analysis and non-standard
punching shear designs.
The combination of innovative environmental and engineering
solutions contributed to the unique nature of the project
- bridging the disciplines and providing a certified conclusion.
The Ropewalk Development is one of the largest soil mixing
projects carried out in Ireland for a private commercial development.
WYG also utilised some American structural codes to design
cruciform steel sections to resist punching shear under heavily
loaded columns. This value engineered solution reduced the
excavation volumes in the contaminated ground - introducing
significant cost savings for the project. Another key feature
of the development was the steel cable trusses to support
the Atrium glazing in the O2 office building at the site.
The final structure on the site includes a 200-bedroom hotel,
headquarter offices for O2 and ESRI and an apartment block.
Commenting on the award, Ray Moore, Group Managing Director
White Young Green Ireland, said - "We are delighted to
be recipients of this ACEI award, which recognises the unique
and innovative approach WYG took to the Ropewalk Development
Project. The WYG Team - led by Denis Blake and Kevin Cleary
- successfully rose to the challenge presented to them, combining
engineering and environmental solutions in a cost effective
manner."
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