Due to the proximity of this new statue to both electrical and drainage services, Dixie micro-piles were selected as a reliable and cost-effective alternative to traditional concrete foundations. These Helifix pipe piles screw into virtually any type of soil, quickly and easily, with minimal disruption, noise or spoil removal and would be easier to extract from the ground in the future, by simply being 'unscrewed'.

Detailed ground investigations showed the area to have a top layer of made ground above clay and sandy gravels, with load bearing strata at around five metres. Four triple flight Dixie micro-piles were torque-driven to the design depth using the hand-held Helifix hydraulic drive head.

Each micro-pile was levelled and topped with an engineered steel plate; these were then cast into a metre thick concrete plinth to which the new statue was affixed.

For project-specific technical advice on the use of Dixie micro-piles, for both temporary and permanent foundations of new build structures or remedial support for existing buildings, please contact the Helifix team on 020 8735 5200. Alternatively, go to www.helifix.co.uk/videos to watch a step-by-step installation and download relevant technical brochures.

Helifix operates a nationwide Approved Installer scheme. For details of your local approved contractors, please contact Helifix.