Egis was engaged as the Civil and Structural Consulting Engineers for the 8th Lock project, overseeing the entire process from concept design to planning, detailed design, construction, site monitoring, and handover. As part of their role, Egis also acted as the Ancillary Certifier in accordance with Building Control (Amendment) Regulations (BCAR). During Strategic Housing Development (SHD) process, a separate planning application was submitted to Dublin City Council for the enabling works contract.
Egis led the preparation, submission, and coordination of this stage of the development, acting as the Project Supervisor for the Design Stage (PSDP) for the initial phase. The planning process for the main development involved an initial pre-application consultation and agreement with Dublin City Council, followed by an application directly to An Bord Pleanála (the Planning Authority).
In collaboration with Dublin City Council Drainage Department, Egis designed a foul and stormwater drainage system, successfully incorporating Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SuDS) measures into the scheme. We also engaged with Uisce Éireann regarding water supply and foul drainage, ultimately receiving Design Acceptance and a Connection Offer.
Detailed discussions with Dublin City Council Transportation Department, resulted in the development of a Traffic and Transport Assessment and a Mobility Management Plan to establish sustainable modes of transport and an optimal car parking strategy. These formed part of the overall planning application for this forward-thinking development.
The project employed innovative construction methods, setting new sustainability standards through CarbonCure technology, extensive offsite prefabrication, efficient material usage, and strong collaboration enabled by Egis's deployment of BIM Level 2 design.
This was the first large development in Ireland or the UK to feature extensive use of CarbonCure Concrete for in-situ structural elements. Carbon Cure is an innovative technology that involves the introduction of recycled Carbon Dioxide into ready-mixed concrete to reduce its carbon footprint. Once injected, CO2 undergoes a mineralisation process and becomes permanently embodied in the concrete.
The construction methodology included a precast mini-piling foundation solution, RC ground beams, RC frame to third-floor levels, off-site prefabrication of reinforcement cages, a full precast concrete super-structure, Steel Frame System (SFS), and post-fixing of lightweight prefabricated aluminium balconies. The design featured full-height party walls as deep beams for transfer structures and the incorporation of structural steelwork within in situ elements to minimize structural depths and enhance efficiencies.
