Wall Reinforcement Weldgrip Gripforce ® Rockbolts

Project Title Kingsand Sea Defence Wall Reinforcement Client Caradon District Council Consultant John Grimes Partnership Ltd Main Contractor Seastructures Ltd Featured Products Weldgrip Gripforce ® Rockbolts

Kingsand, in Cornwall, looks out onto the English Channel, it’s existing sea defence wall has been badly abraded by the wave action and the coarse beach material.

This has resulted in the wall being undermined, with the added hazard of sharp steel reinforcing bars projecting onto the public beach. To combat these problems it was decided that a Duracrete 50N concrete mix (supplied by Hanson Plc) with granite aggregate should be used to slow down the abrasion process.

Weldgrip’s BBA approved Gripforce ® bars were chosen to reinforce the concrete as they:

1) Would abrade at the same rate as the concrete and would therefore eliminate the risk from the sharp steel projections.
2) Did not require any additional corrosion protection.
3) Removed the problem of discolouration of the concrete caused by corrosion of the steel bars.
4) Offer a lightweight cost effective alternative to steel.

The Gripforce ® bars, 22mm in diameter and of various lengths, were fixed into pre-drilled holes in the existing concrete wall structure with two part resin.

The exposed end of the bars were fitted with a standard non-metallic nut. “Mesh” grids were created by using additional lengths of 22mm bar set at 200mm centres, both horizontal and vertical, with standard nuts being fitted at all corners.

Laps were 40 times diameter and plastic “tie-wraps” were used in lieu of steel tying wire. The bolts had to be fixed in position and the concrete poured with enough time for “curing” before the next tide reached the structure.

For additional information on coastal projects using Gripforce ® bolts and injection tubes please view our Chatham Dock and Whithaven Harbour Wall case studies.

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Product Brochure - Soil Nails & Rockbolts - 620k

Weldgrip are also proud to have attained BBA accreditation and ISO 9001 standards in recognition of our continuing excellence in Geotechnical products and services.