Delivering engineering solutions for infrastructure doesn’t stop once installation is complete. It requires continuous collaboration from start to finish!
The team at IMH worked with our partners at BAM UK & Ireland, Mott MacDonald (BMMJV) and Hollandia Infra to support in engineering a solution for The Environment Agency (EA) and their technical advisors (Jacobs and KGAL Consulting Engineers Ltd) to resolve flooding issues at the Boston Tidal Barrier.
We engineered and manufactured the critical hydraulic solutions needed to operate the flood gate.
Learn more about how we took this huge project from design to long-term maintenance 👇
Background
In 2013, a severe tidal surge flood heavily impacted the town of Boston, Lincolnshire. IMH was engaged by BAM Nuttall and Mott MacDonald (BMMJV) to design the hydraulic system to operate the barrier for the Environment Agency.
Build
The team manufactured a 9,000kg+ Main Hydraulic Power Unit with a 3,250L stainless steel reservoir, 11 pumps, and 5 electric motors. IMH built 2 backup HPUs driven by 45kW diesel engines, which were both are capable of lifting the barrier on their own.
We integrated 3 Hunger cylinders, each featuring an IMH control manifold block. For environmental protection we utilised SHELL PANOLIN HLP SYNTH 22, a high-performance biodegradable hydraulic fluid.
Install
We prefabricated 800m of 316L stainless steel pipework offsite on Teesside using SolidWorks drawings. Due to IMH manufacturing the pipework off site, it helped bring forward the expected completion date. We high-pressure tested up to 420 Bar (1.5x maximum working pressure) and flushed using turbulent flow.
Maintain
We operate and maintain alongside the Environment Agency and BAM Nuttall, providing support both on a monthly basis and in the event of a potential flood. The continuous collaboration means the mechanical integrity and long-term reliability of this vital flood asset.
Today, we work alongside the Environment Agency and BAM UK & Ireland on a monthly basis and last June, we successfully marked our 5 year major maintenance milestone.