Ground Assessment
Ground Assessment
At BFL Alimats we strive to offer the highest possible levels of customer service. Part of this service is to offer guidance on the procedures required for the full and proper assessment of mobile crane hardstands both where a temporary works engineer is involved for a contractor and where self assessment by the AP prevails for a domestic customer.
Temporary Works Engineer - Hardstand Consideration
We are currently awaiting input from the Temporary Works Forum on the very lastest guidance including Eurocode compliance.
Please check back soon for further details and contact information
Appointed Person Self Assessment of Hardstands
When an AP is planning a lift for a domestic client, it may be unreasonable to expect comprehensive ground bearing capacity information from the client.
In such situations, the AP will often undertake a self assessment of the site ground conditions. The usual checks should of course be undertaken regarding underground services, basements, culverts etc. The ground should then be classified in accordance with the guidelines set out in CIRIA C703.
An appropriate safety factor should be included in the consideration of crane mat area. The graphs provided in CIRIA C703 are marked up with varying safety factors (1.5, 2.0 and 3.0), although a minimum of 2.0 should be used where a visual self assessment is being made, or 3.0 where there is less confidence in the ground classification.
AP's should excercise extreme caution when undertaking self assessment. Where the AP is not confident to proceed regardless of the safety factor, the services of a specialist engineer should be employed to ensure an adequate assessment is made.