Construction World November 2017

PRODUCTS & SERVICES

No bridge is too far or too high for Skyriders Skyriders Access Specialists has assisted with providing temporary access services for the rehabilitation of the Crocodile River Bridge for main contractor Stefanutti Stocks.

of the N4 freeway between Pretoria and Nelspruit for main client the Trans African Concession (TRAC). Skyriders Marketing Manager Mike Zinn explains that unstable ground conditions under the Crocodile River bridge meant that technicians had to deploy rope access to abseil from the structure itself in order to erect the access platforms, as opposed to the more traditional ground-up approach. An eight-person team, under the supervision of a Level 3 rope-access technician, oversaw the project, which was complicated by the fact that the bridge remained ‘live’ during the operation. “We have worked with Stefanutti Stocks before on power-station maintenance projects, which made us a logical choice for this specialist undertaking,” Zinn explains. Skyriders offers a variety of rope-access aided services to numerous industries, such as power generation, petrochemical, mining, heavy industry and facilities management. Current services include non-destructive testing (NDT) and inspection, concrete inspection, maintenance and repairs, application of coating systems, working-

The eight-span bridge over the Crocodile River near Nelspruit had to be jacked in order to replace the old bearings with 80 elastomeric bearings. Stefanutti Stock’s in-house Technical Department designed the bridge-jacking method statement, in conjunction with the site team, while the Civils Division undertook this specialist part of the project. Prior to the bridge-jacking operation itself, Skyriders was required to assist with the installation of access platforms around the piers. This was followed by installation of the jacking brackets themselves. Only one span could be jacked at a time, whereupon the bridge bearings were replaced, enabling the team to move onto the next span. This forms part of a larger rehabilitation project encompassing eight bridges and seven culverts along the 400 km stretch

Skyriders assisted with temporary access for the rehabilitation of the Crocodile river bridge.

at-height safety systems, welding, and confined-space. 

Ready. Set. Load Since 1956, Simpson Strong-Tie has focused on helping its customers build, safer, st ronger homes and buildings economically. Offering complete construction solutions Simpson Strong-Tie’s range includes, connectors, fasteners, Quik Drive fastening systems, mechanical and chemical anchors as well as repair protect and strengthening systems.

AT-HP ® Blue 280ml cartridge.

380 ml cartridge as well as a contractor kit that includes 12 280 ml cartridges, dispensing tool, dust pump and work gloves all in a carry case. To find out more information, technical details or to request an on-site demonstration of the Simpson Strong-Tie AT-HP Blue fast cure chemical anchoring adhesive, or any of our innovative range of fasteners, Quik Drive fastening systems, anchors or connectors visit www.strongtie.co.za

Simpson Strong-Tie has become synonymous with high quality products, attributed by innovative design, full-service engineering, field support, training and product testing. Simpson Strong-Tie’s chemical anchors are formulated in their manufacturing facility in Europe to ensure they have total control over the quality as well as the responsibility of having independent tests to comply with the many standards used globally. With a commitment to develop innovative products it has released an all new anchoring adhesive that can help to take the guess work out of chemical anchoring cure time onsite. Incorrect installation of chemical anchors can be a huge challenge and where time is money, having a fast cure product that performs is vital. However, with all of the variables such as temperature that affect the curing time, how do you know that the adhesive is ready to load? The newest

product to the range of Simpson Strong-Tie chemical anchoring adhesives is AT-HP ® Blue. AT-HP Blue is a fast cure methacrylate anchoring adhesive that changes colour from blue to grey when it is ready to load. The colour change process gives a visual representation that the chemical anchor has cured so there is no longer the need to wait any longer than you need to before you load the anchor. Nor is there a need to ‘check’ to see if it is set by moving the stud, only to find that you have broken the bond to the concrete or the stud. AT-HP Blue has ETA approvals and is available from all Simpson Strong-Tie stockists in a 280 ml cartridge,

How AT-HP ® Blue chemical anchor changes colour as it cures.

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CONSTRUCTION WORLD NOVEMBER 2017