The RDC site covers approximately 30 hectares and on completion will accommodate circa 990,000 sq. ft. of warehouse storage and offices, a new vehicle maintenance unit, HGV yards, car parking and a Helipad. The building structure of the RDC comprises a hybrid steel frame, that utilises a combination of portalised frames, in plane roof braces and significant vertical bracing in high bay areas, to achieve stability. It is nearly 500 metres long and 170m wide, ranging in height from 40 to 22 metres, incorporating approximately 5,395 tonnes of steel, equating to around 55,789 linear metres of steel sections.
In its finished form it will house a ‘state of the art’ automated mechanical handling system supplied by a German specialist. Designing the projects foundations and slabs to cater for the installation of this system has presented significant co-ordination and engineering challenges for Fairhurst to overcome.
Investigations specified and managed by Fairhurst revealed Ground conditions to comprise Made Ground overlying alluvial deposits and variable sandstone, requiring a carefully coordinated and considered foundation strategy to be developed and see that the strict post construction settlement limits, required to meet the demands of the sophisticated mechanical handling and picking system, are met.
