Temporary Dams
Specialists in providing temporary dams for construction projects across the UK
Our Temporary Dam Solutions
At Robert Nicholas, we specialise in constructing high quality, environmentally friendly and efficient temporary dams for your construction project. Every project is different and our solutions are as bespoke as your site requires. We’ve over 50 years combined experience, working with clients such as Balfour Beatty, Network Rail and The Environment agency to name a few.
What Are Temporary Dams?
Temporary dams are often built for the same reasons as permanent dams, i.e. abstraction, flood protection, flow control but the term is generally used to refer to an interim structure used to enable construction. Where you want to repair a structure, such as riverbank wall you want it to be dry for the duration of your works, to allow safe access and dry working, you need a temporary dam
What Are They Built From?
Strictly speaking, though highly unadvised, they can be formed of pretty much anything, so long as it’s safe and watertight. Temporary dams can be formed of earth, clay or rock but in such form are typically referred to as temporary bunds not dams. They can be formed of bagged material, ton bags, sandbags or gabion baskets which allow for modular construction, controls installation and removal. They can be also be proprietary surface mounted systems; air or water filled tubes, braced frame structures or container systems. These are usually surface mounted systems, relying on mass weight, friction or the shear strength of the ground.
Temporary Dam vs Cofferdam?
Cofferdams can be temporary dams but are often defined as separate because of their use in deep excavation works. A cofferdam will typically be used to withhold both water and soil pressure and can be found in use to for the foundation of bridges, where it is necessary to remove the water and excavate the bed. The most common form of cofferdam is sheet piling, interlocking steel sheets driven into the ground at a depth greater than that of the excavation and braced with walings. Cofferdams can also be formed form large bore cylinders, filled with material such as the Brighton Marina defences.