Glaisnock Retail Units, Cumnock

FLN were appointed by East Ayrshire Council to act as civil/structural engineering consultants for the design and construction of new retail units on Townhead St, Cumnock.

There are 7 retail units which are constructed within a steel frame complete with steel trussed roof. The building is clad with a masonry cavity wall construction and a composite panel roof. FLN designed the full structure of the building including foundations, floor slab and all steelwork. As part of the building warrant submission, FLN provided the project with SER certification. FLN also reviewed all steelwork fabrication drawings within the construction phase of the project.

Civil engineering wise, FLN designed the new service yard to the rear of the units, widening the existing access road off Townhead Street and all associated below ground drainage.

Due to the site topography, and the requirement to provide 3 levels of treatment to surface water runoff from the service yard prior to discharging into the nearby Glaisnock Water, FLN produced an innovative surface water drainage scheme which kept mechanical cleansing to a minimum.

This was achieved by adopting Stormcell attenuation crates and permeable block paving. By liasing with the Stormcell attenuation manufacturer and by laying the crates in a particular orientation, FLN helped to reduce the required excavations for the surface water drainage by approximately 40%, presenting considerable savings to the Client. Limiting mechanical cleansing of the runoff also presented several benefits to the Client and the end users of each unit. The existing site topography also necessitated the design of retaining walls, varying in height from 300mm to 1800mm. FLN carried out the design and detailing of these walls, which varied in construction from brickwork to reinforced concrete.

Construction Cost: £1.9M