Irish Distillers Bridge, Middelton, Cork

Project Overview

AQL was engaged to apply a protective waterproof coating to a buried concrete bridge and seal all the joints in Irish Distillers, Midelton. This system was applied to prevent the concrete from erosion underground and to seal the joints to stop water ingress/egress and to prevent any contamination into the river.

Midleton bridge close up

client objectives

Ensure the longevity and structural integrity of the concrete. Ensure the system prevents any water ingress/ egress. All joints between precast panels to be sealed, allowing movement. A concrete protective coating to 100+ precast arch panels A concrete protective coating to all bridge abutments

Scope of works

AQL carried out a restoration and protection measures, including: Surface Preparation: High pressure clean bridge abutments and precast panels to remove dirt and grime from the concrete. Waterproofing System- A waterproof concrete protective coating was then applied to all 6 abutments and to all precast panels before they were installed. This coating allows for the concrete to be protected and waterproofed from all the elements it will experience when buried. Joint Sealing- Once the bridge was constructed and all the precast arches were in place, AQL installed backing cord, primed the joints and installed a flexible joint sealer which will allow for the movement parameters. Once completed, all joints were then coated over with the waterproofing system.

Challenges

Buried Structure- As the concrete was being buried, the coating had to stand up to erosion or any other attack it may encounter to protect the concrete. Surface Contaminants & Deterioration: The presence of accumulated grime, biofilm, and pollutants on concrete surfaces necessitated thorough mechanical preparation before coatings and repairs could be applied. Structural Movement- Due to the nature of the structure, there is a certain element of movement within the bridge. If a rigid coating was used it would crack, allowing water to enter. For this reason, a flexible coating and joint sealer was used to allow for this movement.

Results

Structural Longevity: The protective coatings significantly enhanced the lifespan of the concrete, ensuring long-term durability. Waterproof- The concrete of the structure is now waterproof and protected, stopping any water ingress and protecting the concrete.

Conclusion

The successful completion of this waterproofing project highlights AQL’s expertise in waterproofing and bridge solutions across all sectors. Through meticulous planning, industry-leading materials, and specialist application techniques, AQL delivered a high-quality, long-lasting solution that ensures the bridge remains operational, waterproofed and protected for years to come.

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