Esher 19 May 2016: Keltbray Piling, which is part of Keltbray Group, has developed and implemented an innovative new software application that allows engineers on site to complete all piling records via the use of mobile tablets. This tailor-made system allows office and site based staff to share information from the same database in real time with project details updated live as the work progresses.

In the past Keltbray’s project Engineers on site would fill in forms by hand leading to double handling of data and reading information which was at times dirty, incomplete and difficult to read. Automation means the company now eliminates the need for repeated data input and minimises human error. The new system is intelligent, provides live feedback to engineers, including real time data on pile positioning, concrete pours and pile verticality whilst also assisting them in the management and quality control of our materials on site.

Managing Director of Keltbray Piling, Stuart Norman, said: “Our industry has traditionally been late adopters of new technology, but following last month’s milestone, when Building Information Management (BIM) Level 2 compliance for centrally procured government projects came into force, more companies are starting to realise the potential for electronic data systems to help increase collaboration and to assist in making more informed decisions. It is a known fact that a large proportion of the cost of a project is tied up in inefficiencies, delays and wastage. As we learn how best to integrate our data in the wider BIM environment, we can reduce this with the ultimate aim to eradicate it completely.”

The new system from Keltbray Piling is intelligent and provides our project Engineers with real time data on pile positioning, concrete pour information and pile verticality. It also assists them in the management and quality control of our key materials on site. The technology also allows Keltbray to access and manipulate data throughout the various stages of the piling contract; from design to construction. “Phase 2 of the development will begin to automatically analyse the data that we produce, allowing us to pinpoint exactly where our business is performing well and not so well so that we can react quickly and efficiently”.

Keltbray has invested around £70k in the development of this new app and conservatively estimate the system will save the Piling division alone around £60k a year. As part of the second generation Keltbray is already looking at incorporating additional reporting functions to allow this to become a business management tool as well as providing live data feeds into client databases.

“This software development has, in a small way, demonstrated that increasing our knowledge and attitude towards technology at the site workface upskills our people in readiness for full BIM collaboration on future projects. As we have learned throughout this process, the message is that we must embrace the technology arms race, for not to is to be left behind. In the future all of us will eventually not just be engineers or managers, we will all be data harvesters and analysts,” concludes Stuart.

Keltbray’s new piling app was first piloted at the BBC and is now being rolled out to our other sites. Keltbray Sheet Piling is also exploring a potential adaptation of this app in due course.

ENDS

More information

Images can be downloaded via this link: https://www.flickr.com/photos/keltbray/sets/72157666073963364

For more information, please contact Keltbray’s head of communications, Marit Meyer-Bell, on tel. 0786 765 3392 or by email to [email protected]

Keltbray Piling

Keltbray Piling is the top ninth geotechnical contractor in the UK with a £20 million turnover and 50 employees. The company was founded in 2009 and last year won the Construction News Ground Engineering Specialist Award 2015 on the back of its 107% growth. Keltbray Piling is increasingly securing larger and more complex contracts, such as piling at Chelsea Barracks for Qatari Diar, at Osterley Campus for BskyB and at The Glebe, which is being developed by Brookfield Multiplex and set to become London’s most exclusive block of flats in the heart of Chelsea. Keltbray Piling credits its success to collaborative working methods, technical excellence and safe and successful delivery. For more information, see http://keltbray.wpengine.com/services/keltbray-demolition-civil-engineering/piling/

Keltbray Group

Keltbray Group is the UK’s leading specialist business, which offers engineering, construction, demolition, decommissioning, remediation, rail and environmental services. The company dates back to 1976, employs more than 1,000 people, and is a key player in developing and maintaining Britain’s built environment. Keltbray provides services to meet the needs of diverse and complex projects, and its well qualified people take pride in delivering projects safely and efficiently, on time and to budget, and with care for the environment and our communities. Keltbray has contributed to a range of high profile construction projects including The Shard, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park Stadium, St Pancras International, Crossrail, Earls Court and Battersea Power Station. For more information, see www.keltbray.com