Willmotts Transport is a warehousing and distribution company located in Cranmore, Somerset. The company has a fleet of over 200 vehicles which travel nationally and internationally daily.
Their warehouse provides storage for a range of companies, many of whom are in the retail and food and drink industries. The main use of the warehouse on site is for storage prior to distribution.
Client: Willmotts Transport
Value: £10m
Location: Cranmore, Somerset
Architect: MPR Architectural Designs
Contractors: Gartell and Son (Groundworks) Curtis Engineering (Steelwork)
AWA started work on the structural design of the Willmotts warehouse in 2022. The expansive space would provide additional storage for the transport company and a location for the lorries to load their goods.
A canopy needed to be considered within the design so stock could be kept dry. There were also three floors of offices designed to the back of the building for teams managing the warehouse.
The proposed warehouse stands at 12 metres tall and is the largest spanning structure that AWA have designed to date.
It was constructed on a site which housing a smaller building which needed to be demolished before work could begin. Once removed, a site investigation concluded that the soil quality was too poor to support the warehouse. AWAs solution was to strengthen the ground using vibro stone columns.
Piles are typically used to provide strength when soil is very poor but are incredibly costly. Thankfully, vibro stone columns were technically feasible for this project, providing a more cost-effective solution for the client.
In accordance with building regulations, there needed to be at least 10% of natural light in the warehouse. To achieve this, the roof was constructed with translucent panels and cladded panels.
On completion, it was topped with solar panels, improving the carbon footprint of Willmotts Transport and helping them save money in the long run.
The warehouse was fully functional in November 2023. Seeing the impressive steelwork on completion was a highlight for the team as it involved a lot of work to develop.
Use of a steel frame is fairly standard when it comes to industrial warehouses. However, due to the sheer size of the building, the 60mx100m steel frame needed one large column in the middle to provide strength.
This project is an example of AWA’s capability to adapt to support complex groundworks and large-scale industrial buildings.
This project showcases AWA’s excellence in structural design.
AWA is a structural engineering and civil engineering consultancy established in 1987, with a hard-won but deserved reputation for delivering excellence in our profession.
Our philosophy is simple: we put people first. This has resulted in a high number of repeat clients and an impressive track record of successful award-winning projects. We are proud to be professional, and approachable; we believe this makes us the ideal partner for your project.
AWA has chartered engineers in our offices located in Romsey, Hampshire and Bath, Somerset. We deliver services to clients across the South, South East and South West.
Our team includes both chartered structural engineers and chartered civil engineers committed to continuous professional development ensuring you benefit from up to date industry expertise, whatever your project entails.
To find out more about how AWA can help with your project, get in touch today. Call 01794 524447 (Romsey) or 01225 251498 (Bath) to speak to a member of our team. Alternatively, email mail@awaengineers.com and one of the team will be in touch.
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