Excavation Support Specialists

2015

02

| Contents

OUR GROUP

DESIGN SERVICES

HYDRAULIC BRACING EQUIPMENT

Mechshore Double Acting Series (Light Duty)..................................................................................................................................................................... 6

Maxi Brace Hydraulic Legs (Medium Duty)........................................................................................................................................................................... 7
Mega Brace (Heavy Duty)........................................................................................................................................................................................................ 8
Super Mega Brace (Heavy Duty)............................................................................................................................................................................................. 9

HYDRAULIC STRUTS

10

MP50 - 50 Tonne Capacity..................................................................................................................................................................................................... 11

HSK - 80 Tonne Capacity......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 11
125T/150T Hydraulic Struts.................................................................................................................................................................................................... 12
MP250 Strut............................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 13
MP500 Hybrid Strut.................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 13
Wireless Direct Load Monitoring........................................................................................................................................................................................... 14
Specialist Propping Case Studies........................................................................................................................................................................................... 15

Our Group | 03

Introduction
Welcome to the product brochure from Groundforce. The aim of this brochure is to provide you with all the
information you need on our extensive product portfolio.
As part of the Vp plc group of companies, who have over 50 years experience in the supply of specialist construction
equipment, Groundforce prides itself in offering so much more than its product range. Groundforce has a wealth of
experience in the provision of Traditional Trench Shoring, Specialist Excavation Temporary Works, Piling Equipment,
Pipe Testing Products, Pump Hire and Trenchless Technology, with our ultimate aim to meet the productivity, safety
and cost demands of the construction industry.
Our equipment offering is supported by a highly trained team of qualified engineers, and technical representatives.
We look forward to discussing your specific requirements.

uae@vpplc.com
www.vpgroundforce.com

04

| Design Services
Method Statements
Generic and scheme specific stage by stage analysis

and installation method statements

Detailed and illustrated installation instructions

Other Services
General technical, shoring and product advice
Supply and instruction on Groundforce GFsafe

software for Design Engineers

Site visits and installation assistance
Bespoke training
Toolbox talks

Groundforce offer the largest range of excavation

support equipment and allied products in the UK. We
combine industry experience with a first class technical
support service to further extend our services to both
site staff and Temporary Works Engineers alike. In
addition Groundforce offer a specialist Major Projects
design service for the larger and more complex schemes.
The Groundforce Technical Services Department is ISO
9001 accredited.

Scheme Designs
Fully documented and detailed temporary works

designs produced by a team of qualified and

experienced Civil Engineers
Safe, practical and cost effective solutions
Clear, informative presentation supported by detailed

installation instructions and site visits as necessary

Innovative solutions, value engineering
Basement Propping specialists

Risk Assessment Assistance

Temporary works design
Excavation work (general)
Equipment specific

Heavy
Duty Hydraulic Equipment | 05
Hydraulic Bracing
Equipment
Modular hydraulic frames are extremely quick to install and remove and can be used in practically
any shape of excavation. Our systems are designed for each excavation and we aim to eliminate
on-site welding, cutting and waste. Our systems provide a versatile cost effective alternative to
traditional fabricated steel frames and tie back systems.

uae@vpplc.com
www.vpgroundforce.com

06

| Light Duty Hydraulic Equipment

Mechshore Double
Acting Series
For small and medium duty applications requiring

large clear working areas

Used with trench sheets or light piles
The double acting hydraulic rams can be both

expanded and retracted using a double acting pump

unit
The 690, 900M & 900S legs incorporate a rough

adjuster unit which allows for a greater range of onsite adjustment

Legs incorporate an integral hydraulic lock-off valve

for greater safety and simpler installation/removal

specification
Leg Ref.

External
Working
Range (m)

Leg Weight
(kg)

Beam Width
(mm)

290

1.5 2.3

175

200

490

2.2 3.2

250

200

690

2.9 4.6

440

220

900M

4.5 6.5

650

240

900S

6.3 8.3

650

240

Medium Duty Hydraulic Equipment | 07

Maxi Brace Hydraulic Legs
Mid-range hydraulic bracing, ranging from 2.9m to 12.0m in length
Simple pinned corner connection for quick assembly on site
Legs can be articulated for use in non rectangular excavations (e.g. hexagonal, octagonal)
Legs 4 and 5 can be utilised as hydraulic struts spanning from 2.6m to 4.8m when combined with the appropriate

end-bearing plates
Full temporary works service available

specification
Leg
Ref.

External
Working
Range (m)

Leg
Weight
(kg)

Beam
Width
(mm)

2.9 4.0

525

260

3.9 5.0

625

260

4.9 6.0

1141

320

5.9 7.0

1261

320

6.9 8.0

1377

320

7.9 9.0

1511

320

10

8.9 10.0

1626

320

uae@vpplc.com
www.vpgroundforce.com

08

| Heavy Duty Hydraulic Equipment

Mega Brace
Heavy duty modular hydraulic bracing, ranging from 3m to 20m in length
Simple pin connection for quick assembly on site
Modular extensions allow for ease of installation/removal on site
Legs can be articulated for use in non rectangular excavations (e.g. hexagonal, octagonal)
Full temporary works service available

specification
Leg
Ref.

External
Working
Range (m)

Leg
Weight
(kg)

Maximum
Beam Width
(mm)

3.0 4.0

1161

530

4.0 5.0

1578

530

5.0 6.0

1995

530

6.0 7.0

1928

530

7.0 8.0

2345

530

8.0 9.0

2288

530

10

9.0 10.0

2705

530

11

10.0 11.0

3122

530

12

11.0 12.0

3055

530

13

12.0 13.0

3472

530

14

13.0 14.0

3410

530

15

14.0 15.0

3827

530

16

15.0 16.0

3770

530

17

16.0 17.0

4177

530

18

17.0 18.0

4360

530

19

18.0 19.0

4303

530

20

19.0 20.0

4720

530

Heavy Duty Hydraulic Equipment | 09

NEW
PRODUCT

Super Mega Brace - The Strongest Brace in the Market

Strongest proprietary hydraulic brace in the industry
Excellent load capacity at long clear spans in excess

of 21m

specification
Modular component

Overall length
(mm)

Weight
(kg)
3810

Modular components permit flexible configurations

Super Mega Brace Hydraulic Unit

3735 - 5235

Double acting hydraulics for 1.5m of fine

Super Mega Brace Rough Adjuster

4250 - 6250

3990

3000

1650

adjustment

Super Mega Brace Extn 3.0m

Telescoping section for 2.0m of coarse adjustment

Super Mega Brace Extn 6.0m

6000

2800

Composite beam construction & high strength joint

Super Mega Brace Extn 9.0m

9000

3960

12000

5200

arrangement

Super Mega Brace Extn 12.0m

uae@vpplc.com
www.vpgroundforce.com

Hydraulic Struts
Hydraulic struts comprise of a series of extensions with a hydraulic unit at one end. The main
advantages of the system is the speed of installation and removal compared with traditional
fabricated systems. It is also possible to pre-stress the struts to limit deflection during the
installation stages.

Hydraulic Struts | 11
MP50 - 50 Tonne Capacity
50 and 80 tonne capacity, medium-duty hydraulic

strutting system

Operating range from 2.4m to over 18m

Fixed length extensions for coarse length adjustment

For raking, horizontal or knee brace propping

applications

Double-acting hydraulics for fine length adjustment

Range of swivel end fittings for multi-angle

connections

specification
Ref.

Operating Range (m)

min max

Weight
(kg)

2.4 3.6

690

3.4 4.6

795

4.4 5.6

865

5.4 6.6

965

6.4 7.6

1005

7.4 8.6

1105

8.4 9.6

1175

9.4 10.6

1275

10.4 11.6

1200

11.4 12.6

1300

10

12.4 13.6

1370

11

13.4 14.6

1470

12

14.4 15.6

1510

Full temporary works service available

HSK - 80 Tonne Capacity

specification
Ref.

Operating Range (m)

min max

Weight
(kg)

4.0

2.9 4.1

1076

5.0

3.9 5.1

1222

6.0

4.9 6.1

1368

7.0

5.9 7.1

1514

8.0

6.9 8.1

1603

9.0

7.9 9.1

1692

10.0

8.9 10.1

1781

11.0

9.9 11.1

1870

12.0

10.9 12.1

1959

13.0

11.9 13.1

2045

14.0

12.9 14.1

2134

15.0

13.9 15.1

2776

16.0

14.9 16.1

2922

17.0

15.9 17.1

3068

18.0

16.9 18.1

3157

uae@vpplc.com
www.vpgroundforce.com

12

| Hydraulic Struts

125T/150T Hydraulic Struts

125 and 150 tonne capacity, heavy-duty strutting

system
For raking, horizontal or knee brace propping

applications
Operating range from 2.9m to over 18m
Fixed length extensions for coarse adjustment
Double-acting hydraulics for fine length adjustment
Range of swivel end fittings for multi-angle

connections
Full temporary works service available

MP125 - 125 tonne capacity

also available in a 150 tonne format
specification

HSK150 - 150 tonne capacity

Ref.

Operating Range (m)

min max

Weight
(kg)

3.6 4.7

2240

4.6 5.7

2455

5.6 6.7

2600

6.6 7.7

2820

3.9 5.1

1591

7.6 8.7

2885

4.9 6.1

1737

8.6 9.7

3100

5.9 7.1

1883

9.6 10.7

3250

6.9 8.1

1972

10.6 11.7

3465

7.9 9.1

2061

11.6 12.7

3465

10

8.9 10.1

2150

12.6 13.7

3680

11

9.9 11.1

2555

10

13.6 14.7

3825

12

10.9 12.1

2701

11

14.6 15.7

4045

13

11.9 13.1

2847

12

15.6 16.7

4110

specification
Ref

Operating Range (m)

min max

Weight
(kg)

2.9 4.1

1445

14

12.9 14.1

2936

15

13.9 15.1

3145

16

14.9 16.1

3291

17

15.9 17.1

3437

18

16.9 18.1

3526

Hydraulic Struts | 13
MP250 Strut

specification
Strut Ref.

Operating Range (m)

Weight (kg)

min.

max.

13

16.1

17.2

10115

A heavy-duty proprietary strutting system extending

14

17.1

18.2

11065

the operating range of the MP250 to 45m at full

capacity

15

18.1

19.2

11445

16

19.1

20.2

11635

17

20.1

21.2

12015

MP250 Strut - Super Format

Additional intermediate support from below is not

necessary. Utilises 1220mm diameter fixed length

extensions for coarse length adjustment
Double-acting hydraulics for fine length adjustment
Range of swivel end fittings for multi-angle connections

MP500 Hybrid Strut

The largest capacity proprietary strutting system on

fleet, capable of withstanding working loads up to

5000kN

18

21.1

22.2

13265

19

22.1

23.2

13645

20

23.1

24.2

13835

21

24.1

25.2

14215

22

25.1

26.2

15165

23

26.1

27.2

15545

24

27.1

28.2

15735

25

28.1

29.2

16115

26

29.1

30.2

17065

27

30.1

31.2

17445

28

31.1

32.2

17635

29

32.1

33.2

18015

30

33.1

34.2

19265

31

34.1

35.1

19645

32

35.1

36.2

19835

33

36.1

37.2

20215

34

37.1

38.2

21165

35

38.1

39.2

21545

36

39.1

40.2

21735

37

40.1

41.2

22115

38

41.1

42.2

23065

39

42.1

43.2

23445

40

43.1

44.2

23635

41

44.1

45.1

24015

Failsafe mechanical locking system carries 100% of

axial load
Hydraulic cylinder combines with twin mechanical

screw jacks to apply/relieve load on the system

Full load carrying capability for spans in excess of 35m
500mm fine length, mechanical adjustment
Couples directly to 1220mm dia. fixed-length

extensions to configure variable strut length

Quick and easy to install; negates the need for time

consuming fabrications

uae@vpplc.com
www.vpgroundforce.com

14

| Hydraulic Struts

Wireless Direct Load Monitoring

Groundforce have developed a hands free system that
uses wireless technology to provide a 24/7 load monitoring
service for their hydraulic struts. The key to this system is
a specially designed and dedicated electronic load pin with
integrated pre-calibrated strain gauges.
The benefits of this system include: Monitors ambient temperature and strut load
Instant and Accurate Readings
Results available via Groundforce website
Pre-determined trigger levels
Simple & Safe Operation
Pre assembly by GF personnel
No cabling

Methods of accessing data

The user can view the data in a clear and concise graphical format on a
password protected area on Groundforces website. A useful handheld monitor
is also available for handy site use. Alerts can be sent via SMS or email if pre
determined trigger levels are reached.

Find out More

Norra lnken Section 22

Wireless Load Monitoring

Norra lnken which translates to

Northern Link, is the final section in
the long awaited Stockholm ring road.
Constructed substantially in tunnel,
this is the largest infrastructure project
currently in progress in Sweden.

The latest development in proprietary

support systems is the ability to equip
struts with integrated wireless load
monitoring capability.

Hydraulic Struts | 15
Specialist Propping Case Studies

A joint technical collaboration between Sir Robert

McAlpine and Groundforce delivers program savings at
Glasgow School of Arts.

48m MP500 Supertube props c/w load monitoring

installed in a day for PJ Careys.

Props and load monitoring installed by Groundforce

engineers inside Connaught Tunnel.

Hydraulic MP250 props are quickly installed at Heathrow

by Laing ORourke.

uae@vpplc.com
www.vpgroundforce.com

Groundforce Representative

Roger Digby
Commercial Manager - Export
Mob +44 (0)7801 213756
Email roger.digby@vpplc.com
www.vpgroundforce.com

FREE Technical Library

Gain access to User Guides, AutoCAD Blocks, Design
Notes, Technical Files, Product Videos and much more.

www.vpgroundforce.com/technical-library/

@vpgroundforce
.com/vpgroundforce