Saint-Gobain Weber repairs sea defence
High performance webercem spray RS repair concrete, by Saint-Gobain Weber, has been specified for the protection of Coronation Parade, a 340m concrete sea wall in Folkestone
As a result of decades of continuous tidal erosion, the 1930s concrete structure had suffered from impact damage and chloride ingress, which had led to corrosion of the steel reinforcement and associated concrete spalling.
After testing by Birmingham City Laboratories, part of Birmingham-based Acivico, main contractor Concrete Repairs Limited addressed the poor condition of the structure using hydro-demolition. The repairs to reinstate the concrete with sufficient cover to the reinforcement had to include a repair method that would work within the short low tide cycle.
A sprayed concrete repair method was specified using webercem spray RS. This is a polymer modified, rapid setting, dry-sprayed concrete which is ideal for permanent repairs where time constraints, such as tidal flow, demand early strength gain.
This highly technical product gives an initial set in just 15 minutes and in six hours has a compressive strength of 10-15 N/mm². This rapid setting capacity prevents wash out from the tidal water flow and minimises the penetration of chlorides.
Designed by Weber specifically for use in marine applications, repairs to river bridge abutments or piers, and structural repairs to concrete beams, columns and soffits, webercem spray RS has passed the stringent freeze/thaw test required for durability and the bonding adhesive standards of BS EN1504.
