Repair, Refurb, Retrofit
Mapei provide essential strengthening solutions for Reading Bridge
A range of Mapei products have been extensively utilised in the strengthening and refurbishment of Reading Bridge. The open spandrel arch structure which supports a three lane highway and two footways over the River Thames in Reading has served the town for more than 90 years. Strengthening of the bridge required bonding carbon fibre reinforcement to the deck, thickening the R.C. abutment walls, deck waterproofing and protective coating to the structure, all of which Mapei were able to assist with their products.
Contractors, VolkerLaser, were awarded the contract to repair, strengthen and extend the remaining life of this existing critical infrastructure asset for client Reading Borough Council. The Council’s consulting engineers for the scheme were Peter Brett Associates. Mapei were able to provide the products for the innovative solutions required to strengthen the structure without compromising its original aesthetic.
Mapei Carboplate was bonded to the soffit of the bridge deck slab and beams with Adesilex PG1 adhesive. The pultruded carbon fibre plates, available in 3 sizes, are light weight with high modules and excellent endurance strength.
Highly stressed spandrel columns were wrapped with Mapewrap C UNI- AX, a high strength, unidirectional carbon fibre fabric wrap, to increase their shear capacity. The wrap was bonded to the columns with Mapewrap
31 adhesive. To overcome the difficulty of strengthening the ends of the spandrel columns ‘in bending’ where they join to the main arch and top deck beams, the bending moments at these points were allowed to redistribute to other parts of the structure.
During a two-week closure, the road construction was stripped back to the bridge deck and Maperod C pultruded carbon fibre rods pre-impregnated with epoxy resin, were inserted into slots cut into the top surface of the deck at the transverse beam supports to strengthen the deck slab in the hogging regions. Mapelastic was used to provide protection to the carbon fibre against ultraviolet light.
The final aesthetic to the structure’s elevations was completed with Elastocolor Paint, Mapei’s elastomeric and crack-bridging permanently flexible coating. Impermeable to water and highly resistant to sunlight, ageing and aggressive chemicals the coating will significantly assist in the preservation of the bridge’s appearance.
VolkerLaser completed the project on time and to a high standard and as such were shortlisted for the Construction News Awards for Structural Specialists of the Year. The bridge now offers a safer, more durable and trusted route across the River Thames serving well into the future.
MAPEI
TEL: 0121 508 6970 45
WWW.MAPEI.CO.UK
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