Dover Port CFRP
Shaun Swinbourne
15/04/24
1 of 7
The port of Dover is a prominent maritime gateway that has played a pivotal role in connecting the United Kingdom to continental Europe for centuries, both for passengers and cargo.
In 2017 a structural analysis of the camber slabs in the Dover Cargo Terminal area of the port, which at peak flow is trafficked by over 10,000 vehicles a day, highlighted that there was insufficient reinforcing over the piles supporting the slab. After a full survey and investigation it was decided that the slab needed to be ‘strengthened’ over the piles due to a lack of punching shear reinforcement.
After extensive design input, trials & prolonged negotiations, CRL was awarded the 12 week contract to install CFRP NSM rods. The project is valued at £300K and we are working through Knights Brown Ltd, who are the Civils Framework Contractor for the Port of Dover. The CFRP Design was provided by Samuely.
CRL mobilised to site in Mid-January 2024 and works commenced whilst battling the winter weather in a harsh coastal environment. In order to ensure that the epoxy resin was cured as per the manufacturer’s instructions, and to be able to work when it was raining, it was necessary to carry out the works in heated tents.
The works consisted of hammer surveying the slabs above the piles, carrying out concrete cover meter surveys, removal of all defective concrete and reinstatement thereof, cutting of 1,056no. 1.7m length slots and the installation of Sika’s BC10 CFRP rods embedded in Sikadur 30 resin. In total, over 1.5km of rods have been installed on this project.
In 2017 a structural analysis of the camber slabs in the Dover Cargo Terminal area of the port, which at peak flow is trafficked by over 10,000 vehicles a day, highlighted that there was insufficient reinforcing over the piles supporting the slab. After a full survey and investigation it was decided that the slab needed to be ‘strengthened’ over the piles due to a lack of punching shear reinforcement.
After extensive design input, trials & prolonged negotiations, CRL was awarded the 12 week contract to install CFRP NSM rods. The project is valued at £300K and we are working through Knights Brown Ltd, who are the Civils Framework Contractor for the Port of Dover. The CFRP Design was provided by Samuely.
CRL mobilised to site in Mid-January 2024 and works commenced whilst battling the winter weather in a harsh coastal environment. In order to ensure that the epoxy resin was cured as per the manufacturer’s instructions, and to be able to work when it was raining, it was necessary to carry out the works in heated tents.
The works consisted of hammer surveying the slabs above the piles, carrying out concrete cover meter surveys, removal of all defective concrete and reinstatement thereof, cutting of 1,056no. 1.7m length slots and the installation of Sika’s BC10 CFRP rods embedded in Sikadur 30 resin. In total, over 1.5km of rods have been installed on this project.
CRL Mitcham are nearing completion of CFRP slab strengthening works at the Port Of Dover