Carrs Flour Mills, Kirkcaldy

Grain Silo Foundation & Structure

Client: Carrs Flour Mills Ltd
Location: East Bridge, Kirkcaldy
Principal Contractor: Thomas Menzies Builders Ltd
Sector: Civil Engineering
Project Duration: 16 weeks

Project Overview

Thomas Menzies (Builders) Ltd was appointed as Principal Contractor for the construction of a reinforced concrete foundation and structural elements to support a new grain silo at Carrs Flour Mills in Kirkcaldy.

The project demanded precision, careful planning, and excellent coordination due to the operational nature of the site and tight delivery schedules.

Scope of Works

Construction of a 600mm thick heavily reinforced concrete raft ground slab, supported on a pre-piled formation
Installation of 24 circular reinforced concrete columns, each 500mm in diameter and 2000mm high
Formation of a 600mm thick hexagonal suspended flat slab, supported by the columns
Extensive temporary soffit decking to support the suspended slab during the pour
All concrete works carried out using pumped concrete methods

Design Responsibilities

Contractor-Designed Elements:
- Temporary works design for soffit shuttering

Project Challenges & Solutions

Confined Site:
Located within a busy, fully operational flour mill, the project required careful sequencing of works to maintain safety and minimise disruption to the client’s ongoing operations.
Tight Programme Deadlines:
The project was driven by strict deadlines for the delivery and erection of the new grain silo. Thomas Menzies coordinated closely with the client and supply chain to ensure that all structural elements were delivered and installed on time.
Complex Structural Requirements:
The heavily reinforced slab and elevated suspended slab required detailed formwork and concrete placement strategies, successfully executed by our experienced team.