INNOVATION
PHD Access are always aiming to discover new ways in exceeding our client’s requirements for a project, even on the most challenging of requests. We think out-of-the-box and are proud to be at the forefront of finding bespoke access solutions using innovative techniques, alternative materials, or new applications.
PHD were approached to undertake the daunting task of re-configuring the Olympic Stadium seating bowl from it’s summer use of athletics to the winter mode of football. This required alteration to all four stands in the lower bowl to improve viewing experience of the spectator; primarily moving them forward and installing relevant walkways and bridges to allow access and egress.
The transition of the stands on this scale had not been attempted previously; nor under such a restrictive time frame. To ensure the successful transition, the team developed an innovative air skate system to allow free movement of the seating structure.
An unusual request. The brief was to design, manufacture, deliver and install a bespoke Rack & Pinion travellator so our client’s operatives could install the steel frame and cladding works in Europe’s second largest escalator shaft.
The normal capacity for a Mast Climber Work Platform (MCWP) is 2.5 tonne, but New Bond Street required 7.5 tonne, and the ability to carry two MEWP’s and a HIAB Crane arm. PHD conceptualised and created a bespoke dual platform, safety tested to 7.5 tonne payload, working on a 30-degree incline angle, to run vertically on a 60-meter track.
Our engineers worked to design and manufacture a prototype with our partners, and after 12-weeks were sufficiently advanced to install on site. The client was happy as it reduced the duration of the programme and was overall much cheaper in terms of time and money than conventional methods of Scaffold Chain.
John Taylor, PHD’s Contract Manager, developed a bespoke scaffold tie to resolve most of the common issues reported with typical scaffolding ties. After months of development, the JT Tie© was born.
There are three main concepts to the JT Tie’s design; reduce the amount of materials used, decrease the chance of removal/tampering, and eliminate the cutting of tubes, increasing the sustainability of materials.
The JT Tie went from concept, through to our in-house design and engineering team, and undertook vigorous testing through the external company TESMEC Ltd.
In October 2019, our patent was registered, and we have successfully rolled out two sizes of the JT Tie across most of our sites, including Barratt’s Hounslow Quarter, L&Q’s South Grove, and Lendlease’s Elephant Park.
PHD delivered a highly innovative access solution, ‘Workshops in the Sky’, at the London Stadium, which at the time became one of the UK’s most iconic access structures.
The strengthening of the 840m perimeter truss included inspection, blasting, welding and painting processes, and increased the structure’s weight from 1400 tonnes to 4,130 tonnes, making the finish product, the largest cantilevered roof of its type.
PHD produced a bespoke, radical ‘top-down slung’ solution born out of the methods harking back to the days of the Cinema and the proscenium arch. In addition, by utilising lightweight components PHD reduced the weight of the scaffold by 67% compared to conventional tube & fitting scaffold satisfying the loadings issue.
Over 480 tonnes of lightweight systems was used in the erection of the “Scaffolding Pods” which provided contractors an enclosed fabricating shop work environment, allowing the strengthening works vital to the trusses to be carried out regardless of external weather conditions. PHD erected and dismantled the scaffold all within 4 months on time as per to schedule.
