Keltbray Piling achieved a new landmark for the UK construction industry last month by installing the first ever permanent works pile using a zero cement concrete, Cemfree.
Working for Taylor Wimpey on its new housing development in Mount Pleasant, London, Keltbray is installing a secant wall and bearing piles for main contractor Bouygues.
The Cemfree material, developed and manufactured in the UK by the DB Group, is an ultra-low carbon alternative to traditional cement concrete. It has all of the structural characteristics of traditional concrete and is more sustainable as it is more resistant to chloride ingress and requires fewer construction joints and less crack-control steel when used within key structural elements.
Stuart Norman, Managing Director of Keltbray Piling, said, “Using Cemfree in the piled foundations over traditional concretes has the potential to save up to 80% in embedded carbon. These works have been a part of a growing collaboration effort with our industry partner, the DB Group, which manufactures the Cemfree binder product. This is Keltbray’s fifth project where we have used Cemfree but only the first time we have used it for permanent works and so far we’re delighted with the results.”
Following this project, Keltbray’s Demolition and Civil Engineering division will proceed with follow-on capping beam and excavation works.
About Keltbray Group
Keltbray Group is the UK’s leading specialist business, which offers engineering, construction, asbestos management, demolition, piling, decommissioning, remediation, rail, power distribution and transmission, reinforced concrete structures and environmental services. The company dates back to 1976, employs more than 1,800 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, Battersea Power Station and HS2.
About DB Group
DB Group is a specialist provider of innovative solutions to the construction sector, with a strategic focus on improving the durability and sustainability of buildings and infrastructure through its Cemfree, Pudlo, MPS and DB Specialist Sands brands.
