George's Quay Development
PH McCarthy was appointed as Civil, Structural, Mechanical, and Electrical engineering consultants for the development of a five storey building on George's Quay in Limerick city.
A site investigation showed ground conditions consisted of soft clay and fill material overlying limestone bedrock. In addition medieval remains were identified as part of an archeological assessment of the site. The site is adjacent to the Abbey River a tributary of the Shannon and structural design took account of a tidal water table.
Due to constraints, the foundation incorporated down-the-hole hammer piles, socketed into rock. The pile layout was agreed with Duchas in order to minimse impact on the medieval remains. The ground floor is 1m below ground level and therefore very close to the highest potential water level. Accordingly it is contained within a tanked reinforced concrete base slab and retaining walls.