Emseal SJS System to Seal Ramp Joints at Trafford House Car Park, Old Trafford, Manchester

Client: Bruntwood Estates

Specialist Contractor: Grade-2 Structural Repairs

Main Products Used: Emseal SJS System

This busy, multi-storey, prime location, car park is located between Manchester United’s Old Trafford Football Stadium, Lancashire’s Old Trafford Cricket Ground and Trafford House, a 12-Storey commercial development. The businesses use the car park during the week and then it is reserved for MUFC fans on matchdays and weekends. The car park was undergoing scheduled structural inspection, when it was discovered that the traditional compression joints were failing in the wide structural movement joints on the access ramps. This meant they were now leaking and allowing water ingress, which could lead to damaging salt deposits on expensive vehicles, as well as potential corrosion and damage to the reinforced concrete decks and the structural frame itself. These joints needed to be made watertight and accommodate significant horizontal and vertical movement, as well as traffic impact and weathering. The engineers looked for a solution that could safely repair and seal the joints, but with only minimal ramp closure or downtime, and the Emseal SJS System was selected as the ideal solution, as it could be installed in just two short, phased closures at weekends, when there were no home games. In the first weekend, with only one lane closed, the failed compression joint was removed and the joint arrisses made good with fast setting resin, then on the next weekend closure, the bespoke lengths of Emseal SJS were installed with access only required from above.