Armac dismantle Catthorpe Viaduct (video)

The video you see above was captured by Armac Group. It shows the dismantling of the monumental structure known as the Catthorpe Viaduct. It was the main bridge over the M6/M1/A14 Interchange and had been watched cloesly for 15 years after failed hinge joints were discovered.

The biggest challenge for Armac was carrying out the job with the replacement viaduct just 6 meters away. The project was made even harder when Armac's proposed 48 hour road closure got shortened to just 36 hours. Also hanging over their heads was an £18,000 per hour penalty if they ran over their allotted time.

Here's some detail about from Armac about how they managed to pull off the dismantling in record time:

"With some 4000t of concrete, 500t of reinforcement steel and a 2 mile run to the tip area, a major logistical operation was planned by the Armac Team. With all plant and equipment being delivered and removed from the Project on a 'just in time' basis the Project had assembled what is believed to be the largest ever assembly of demolition fire power for a bridge demolition consisting of:

• 14no. straight boom excavators (ranging from 70t - 50t)
• 2no. 7t hydraulic breakers
• 4no. 6t hydraulic breakers
• 6no. 4t hydraulic breakers
• 4no. 6t hydraulic pulverisors
• 4no. 4t hydraulic processors
• 2no. 7t hydraulic shears
• 12no. 40t dumptrucks

Behind the lead demolition machines was a full back up team of Ground Crews, Plant Technicians, Hydraulic Hose Fitters, Tyre Fitters and hiab and standby excavators and attachments.

The demolition was undertaken over 4no. 10hr. shifts with a 1hr. overlap between to allow for a smooth changeover and continuous working."

In the end, Armac completed the job in just 32 hours and without any safety issues.

Source: Armac

C&D customer AR Demolition completes Rail Bridge dismantle

Midlands based demolition contractor and C&D Consultancy customer AR Demolition has successfully completed a high profile bridge dismantling contract, removing a disused rail bridge spanning the A444 Weddington Road in Nuneaton, Warwickshire.

The contract for British Railways Board (BRB) was undertaken over a three week period to include preparation works, but the final dismantling and removal of the bridge decks and main supports was completed in under 24 hours, a full day ahead of the allocated schedule for the road closure.

The former double track railway bridge spanning the road was constructed in 1972, but after only a few years in service, it was closed along with the entire line, following the Beeching Report. Still under the ownership of the BRB, the bridge demolition was commissioned as part of the company’s non-operational asset rationalisation programme.

The deck was originally constructed using steel trusses and beams and mass-filled with concrete to carry the tracks overhead. The bridge was supported at each end by traditional concrete abutments and from beneath by two pairs of 11 tonne steel legs.

The structure was stripped back to its primary frame and the deck was gas cut into 6 sections weighing between 13 tonnes and 24 tonnes each. AR Demolition used a 230 tonne crane to lower each of the sections and both steel legs down onto crash decks where the pieces were further cut down for transporting off site.

A Temporary Traffic Regulation Order for closing the road over the weekend 24th/25th September 2011 was granted to AR Demolition and work commenced on demolishing the structure at 3.00 am on the Saturday morning. The main work was completed by 11.30pm on the 24th, 24 hours ahead of schedule.

British Rail representatives were on site monitoring the contract and reported back favourably on the professionalism and high standards adopted by AR Demolition throughout the job.

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Outokumpu Stainless contract well underway

Our contract as CDM Co-ordinators at Outokumpu is now well underway with EDS having desheeted the building and now demolishing the racking systems with the help of the 777 Demolition super long reach machine.

As you can see from the photographs the machine size and reach allows it to safely remove the racking piecemeal style and work along the building from the gable end.

EDS supervisor Tommy Swift is on programme to complete the works as the original estimated duration and we will post additional photographs throughout the contract.

Les Hemmings is dealing with the project on a day to day basis with John Woodward visiting site once a month.

Pro Dem Nottingham chimney demolition

C&D Consultancy acted as consultants for Pro Dem when planning the demolition of the chimney you see in the video above.

Making the Difference - Achilles Accreditation for Nationwide Platforms

Following an intensive two day audit at its head office in Lutterworth, Nationwide Platforms, part of Lavendon Access Services, is delighted to announce that it has successfully gained the Achilles Construction Building Confidence Accreditation, thus demonstrating the extremely high standards that Nationwide Platforms operates to. The accreditation programme was developed by one of Nationwide Platforms' largest customers, Bovis Lend Lease, in partnership with Achilles Information Ltd. It is designed to assess the construction industry supply chain in the key areas of safety, environment, sustainability, quality, occupational health and finance.

UK Quality Health, Safety & Environmental (QHSE) Manager for Lavendon Access Services, Chris Wraith commented:

"The Achilles accreditation is a benchmark which Nationwide Platforms should be proud of. With competition for business more apparent than ever, this successful accreditation reinforces Nationwide Platforms' reputation as the UK's number one leading supplier of powered access."

You can read the full story at the Nationwide Platforms website

IDE Update by IDE President Terry Quarmby

HSE spot checks raise concern over safety standards

Spot checks carried out by the HSE at construction and refurbishment sites has raised major concerns over the safety standard being employed.

Geoffrey Podger, HSE chief executive said:

"Over one in three construction sites visited put the lives of workers at risk, and operated so far below the acceptable standard that our inspectors served 395 enforcement notices, and stopped work on 30 per cent of the sites.

We stopped work on site immediately during approximately 300 inspections because we felt there was a real possibility that life would be lost or ruined through serious injury. Our inspectors were appalled at the blatant disregard for basic health and safety precautions on refurbishment sites across Great Britain.

It is totally unacceptable that so many lives have been put at risk and we will take all action necessary to protect workers, including closing sites and prosecuting those responsible. The construction industry should take ownership of this issue and do more to tackle poor standards on sites."

You can read the full story at Safety & Health Practitioner