CFRP bridges win awards

industry

CFRP bridges win awards Bridge project in Rochdale, carried out by Mouchel and Balvac for Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council, took one of the two commendations presented. Both bridges were strengthened to bring them up to a new 40 tonne vehicle limit. In the Oxford project plates of prestressed CFRP were bonded to the cast iron beams on both spans of the 125-year-old bridge. Composites were chosen for the COMPOSITES

ARE

gradually

job after a study showed that

gaining recognition in the con-

traditional

struction industry. Two projects

involve road closures. Disrup-

methods

would

which used carbon fibre rein-

tion to traffic was also avoided

forced plastic technology (CFRP)

in the Slattocks bridge project,

to strengthen bridges have just

where CFRP plates were bonded

won awards from the UK's Ins-

to rolled steel joists supporting

titution of Civil Engineers (ICE).

the concrete deck. The use of

The Hythe Bridge project in

this

technique

saved

Council around £20 000 against

ing group Mouchel and repair

alternative proposals since traf-

specialist Balvac for Oxford-

fic lights were not needed.

shire County Council, won one

Mouchel; tel: +44-1932337000; fax: +44-1932-336040; e-mail: [email protected].

2000.

The

Slattocks

Canal

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the

Oxford, carried out by consult-

of ICE's Historic Bridge Awards

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January

2001

REINFORCEDplastics

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