Thames Barrier Rising Sector and Falling Radial Gates - 100 Year Life Project
Project
Thames Barrier Rising Sector and Falling Radial Gates - 100 Year Life Project
Sector
Highway and Civils
Client
Environment Agency
Location
UK
Service Provided
Development of target costs with pre-selected contractors and awarding contracts using the Engineering and Construction Contract (ECC) Option C.
The concept behind the award of preliminary contracts at the Thames Barrier has been to investigate the current status of the structure.
This involved the development of a scope of works to determine types and frequency of testing, locations etc, and establish the range and type of information that would be necessary to produce a forward maintenance and enhancement plan for the structure. Thus ensuring that the barrier is able to perform efficiently during its planned 100 year life, and that it is able to cope with the expected increased use in this time period, as a consequence of the anticipated changing environmental conditions and rising sea levels brought about by expected climatic change.
The intention has been to amass a very detailed database concerning the condition of the structure, and thus produce a detailed map of conditions and locations internally and externally in order to develop a coherent and cost effective life cycle plan for the barrier over the next 75 years, given the anticipated changes in environmental conditions from those envisaged when the barrier was originally designed.
Whilst developing the investigative Target Costs a key process has been the development of intellectual data and innovative methods of working