U and W section prestressed beams up to 120tonnes
ABM reports that investment manufacturing equipment at its UK factory in Nottinghamshire is permitting production of an increased range of larger, heavier bridge components
The new facility means that the company can now also manufacture U and W section prestressed concrete bridge beams of up to 120 tonnes. The company said that the additional capability means it can offer customers shorter cycle times, even for the heaviest and most complex beams, and a product of high and consistent quality.
The development follows a careful examination of some of the leading beam casting facilities in Europe. The object was to create an adaptable process that not only offers rapid output but that can be quickly changed to produce different types of beams.
Reinforcements and stressing components are prefabricated off line, so these can be craned into the moulds and tensioned prior to the concrete pour. Controlled heating of the moulds then speeds the strengthening of the concrete to the point where tensioning can be released.
Curing advances rapidly in the temperature controlled environment permitting beams to attain the necessary strength for stress-load transfer using sequence controlled mass de-tensioning hydraulic rams.
ABM business development manager Mike Sanderson said that the new plant is 64m long. “With our increased 120tonnes lift capacity this gives us the capability to produce the largest bridge beams in the UK or multiples of smaller units. No other pre-cast concrete manufacturer on the UK mainland has the capacity for these large beams, this flexibility and such an extensive product range,” he said.
The first W-section beams were cast in January. In addition to offering the largest range of conventional bridge beams, ABM also manufactures a range of bespoke reinforced concrete components for the civil engineering sector along with its unique Arch and Portal Frame system which maximises the use of geotechnical engineering to produce efficient and rapidly installed bridge systems. With sister companies across Europe, ABM has unprecedented access to expertise and technology for the production of pre-cast concrete structures.
The new facility means that the company can now also manufacture U and W section prestressed concrete bridge beams of up to 120 tonnes. The company said that the additional capability means it can offer customers shorter cycle times, even for the heaviest and most complex beams, and a product of high and consistent quality.
The development follows a careful examination of some of the leading beam casting facilities in Europe. The object was to create an adaptable process that not only offers rapid output but that can be quickly changed to produce different types of beams.
Reinforcements and stressing components are prefabricated off line, so these can be craned into the moulds and tensioned prior to the concrete pour. Controlled heating of the moulds then speeds the strengthening of the concrete to the point where tensioning can be released.
Curing advances rapidly in the temperature controlled environment permitting beams to attain the necessary strength for stress-load transfer using sequence controlled mass de-tensioning hydraulic rams.
ABM business development manager Mike Sanderson said that the new plant is 64m long. “With our increased 120tonnes lift capacity this gives us the capability to produce the largest bridge beams in the UK or multiples of smaller units. No other pre-cast concrete manufacturer on the UK mainland has the capacity for these large beams, this flexibility and such an extensive product range,” he said.
The first W-section beams were cast in January. In addition to offering the largest range of conventional bridge beams, ABM also manufactures a range of bespoke reinforced concrete components for the civil engineering sector along with its unique Arch and Portal Frame system which maximises the use of geotechnical engineering to produce efficient and rapidly installed bridge systems. With sister companies across Europe, ABM has unprecedented access to expertise and technology for the production of pre-cast concrete structures.
