Basement Construction – Cofferdam & Formwork using Frami and Dokaflex, Herefordshire

A contractor constructing a subterranean leisure area within a hillside site overlooking the Malvern Hills required a practical temporary works solution for excavation and reinforced concrete construction in challenging ground conditions.

The presence of mudstone rock prevented the use of conventional sheet pile retaining walls, requiring an alternative approach to achieve safe excavation and structural formation.

SEL developed and delivered a bespoke cofferdam and ground support solution, enabling the contractor to:

• Establish a stable temporary excavation environment within unstable rock conditions
• Regulate ground levels to facilitate formation of a reinforced concrete structure below ground
• Safely construct within a contained cofferdam arrangement without sheet piling
• Maintain stability throughout excavation and structural sequencing
• Progress works efficiently within a constrained hillside site

In addition, SEL supplied Frami Formwork Panel System and Dokaflex 124 Soffit Support System, allowing the contractor to:

• Form reinforced concrete elements using modular wall and slab formwork solutions
• Adapt to complex geometry and varying pour sequences
• Improve installation speed compared to traditional timber formwork methods
• Maintain consistency in concrete finish quality and dimensional accuracy

Our in-house design team worked closely with the project team to develop a solution that addressed both ground conditions and structural requirements, integrating excavation support with a coordinated formwork and temporary works design.

This approach ensured a safe, compliant and programme-efficient construction process, overcoming ground constraints while supporting the successful delivery of the subterranean development.

If you'd like advice on Frami, formwork or temporary works in general, contact your nearest SEL depot and we'll be happy to help.

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