Sales & Technical: 1300 66 70 71 | sales.helifix.au@leviat.com
Client: | Linden Homes |
Location: | Shepton Mallet, Somerset |
Approved Installer: | Brick-Tie Preservation |
Reference No: | CS117 |
As part of the redevelopment of the former Norah Fry Hospital into private homes some seven years ago, a concrete decorative arch was built to span a public footpath and right of way on the estate. However, during the recent process of adopting the roads/right of way network, Somerset County Council deemed the arch could be a 'Dangerous Structure' under specific conditions, which would delay the adoption. The arch, a 4.2m single span, is constructed from interlocking precast concrete blocks arranged in a pair of adjoining spanning sections or halves. It joins a dwelling at one end and a 700mm wide free-standing boundary wall at the other, which the Council's Building Control Dept. deemed inadequate to support the 3 tonne outward thrust generated by the arch under certain load conditions. A simple, cost-effective means of reinforcing and securing the arch was required that would overcome the alternative of reconstructing both the arch and the supporting wall, which would have been costly, time consuming and required the extended closure of the footpath.
Helifix proposed installing just two of its heavy duty SockFix grouted anchors, one in each half of the arch. Helifix carried out the necessary calculations and design in-house, to the satisfaction of the local authority engineer, showing that the SockFix anchors would enable the arch to meet the high loads.