Client: Gleeds
Project overview
The University of Sheffield Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (Nuclear AMRC) is a collaborative effort to enhance the capabilities and competitiveness of the UK civil nuclear manufacturing industry. It brings together academia, industry, and government to support the development of new techniques and technologies in high-precision manufacturing. The centre offers world-class research and development facilities, focusing on advanced machining, welding, and materials research. This initiative is part of the UK's strategy to drive innovation and maintain a leading position in the nuclear sector.
Based around an open-plan 5,000 sq. m workshop, the centre contains over £35 million worth of state-of-the-art manufacturing equipment tailored for nuclear industry applications.
The building, designed to BREEAM Excellent standards, features accommodation over three stories, including laboratory and technical support space, virtual reality facilities, open-plan offices, and secure meeting rooms.
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An expansive 5,000 sq. m open-plan workshop
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Over £35 million in specialised manufacturing equipment
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Strategically positioned to foster collaboration and accessibility
BWB's role
We were appointed as the development's leading civil, structural, and geotechnical engineer. Our work included the engineering design and planning of an access road and the S278 works with the local authorities' highways department.
Specialised construction needs
The project combined office and research space. We designed a 450mm ground-bearing slab to accommodate future fixings for various pieces of machinery.
Water management
The innovative stormwater drainage was designed to be collected on-site and discharged into a large pond serving the other nearby plots. This water is then released into the Cuttle Brook at a reduced rate to suit the allowable discharge rates.
Ground and groundwater solutions
The development had particularly challenging ground and groundwater conditions, which our ground solutions team expertly addressed, providing a comprehensive investigation, assessment, and design service.