UltraCrete prevents dangerous accident in Carmarthen

MJ Quinn and subcontractors, HT Installations Limited, have used UltraCrete’s market-leading Flowable Installation System to repair a faulty carriageway frame and cover on the B4299 in Carmarthen.

Background

A large section of a rural road in Carmarthen was severely damaged. The area in question is located at the bottom of a hill and over time, the relentless force in which cars and tractors have hit the road surface has severely deformed the surface.

The consequence of this damage also caused structural damage to a nearby carriageway frame and cover.

The Challenge

Located on the B4299, this rural road is the main thoroughfare for the village, with tractors and cars using the road daily. The repair needed to be carried out quickly to minimise disruption, and most importantly, it needed to be a first time permanent repair to prevent any further disruption and damage to the surrounding road surface.

In this instance, HT Installations Limited, the subcontractor working on behalf of MJ Quinn, the main contractor for Wales for Openreach, were only responsible for repairing the frame, cover and trim back area. However, in order to prevent further deterioration caused by the deformed road surface, HT Installations went above and beyond and replaced the heavily deteriorating asphalt on the CW2 frame and covers leading edge. This would ensure a longer life expectancy for the new carriageway frame and cover installation and avoid costly return visits.

The Solution

HT Installations Limited utilised UltraCrete QC10 F flowable fibre modified concrete to repair the brickwork chamber and their Envirobed® Flowable Installation System to install the replacement CW2 frame and cover – a process used by Openreach for all their carriageway repairs.

To begin, the entire area was excavated and spoil removed. The contractors assessed the chamber and utilised the Mortar Buoy® installation aid within the chamber as an alternative to formwork/shuttering. They proceeded to mix and pour UltraCrete QC10 F, rapid set flowable concrete, to repair the damaged concrete chamber. Utilising Mortar Buoy® significantly speeds up the repair process, helping to save you time and money.

QC10 F sets in less than 20 minutes, so a very short time after being poured, Mortar Buoy® was re-inflated inside the chamber and the CW2 frame dropped into position ready for levelling with the existing road surface. A sand bund was then formed 50mm beyond the flange edge, as opposed to shuttering, to retain the flowable mortar.

UltraCrete Envirobed® CD534 Flowable Red was mixed and applied to fully encapsulate the frame flange up to 20mm above and 50mm beyond the frame edge. Envirobed® CD534 sets within 20 minutes, allowing the sand bund to be swept clear and site prepared for hot asphalt application, really quickly.

Results

Thanks to the rapid high strength gain and setting superior performance qualities of UltraCrete’s Flowable Installation System, HT Installations were able to carry out their repairs quickly, safely and permanently, much to the delight of MJ Quinn, Openreach and the local residents.