Lytag lightens the load on Acton Swing Bridge
Aggregate Industries supply lightweight concrete solution for bridge renovation project
AGGREGATE Industries’ Lytag lightweight concrete solution has lived up to its credentials on the newly renovated Acton Swing Bridge, which carries the busy A49 over the River Weaver Navigation, in north Cheshire.
As part of a £1.5 million repair programme, the 84-year old bridge, which is maintained by the Canal & River Trust charity, recently underwent a complete refurbishment, including strengthening works to the underside of the bridge as well as improvements to its appearance.
Key to the project’s success was the ability to enhance the bridge’s structural integrity, to allow for heavier traffic without causing an increase in mass – given the required 2.5m allowance for boats passing underneath.
Aggregate Industries’ Lytag secondary aggregate, being up to 50% lighter than normal aggregate, was chosen by lead contractors Kier Construction, working on behalf of the Canal & River Trust.
By using Lytag to replace the existing infill within the framework, the weight was effectively reduced from 2,400kg per cubic metre to 1,650kg per cubic metre, providing increased flexibility and durability for Kier, whilst also ensuring increased overall strength.
This approach also negated the need for quarried aggregate, thereby helping to reduce material requirements and ensure project efficiencies.
The contract saw Aggregate Industries supply 100 tonnes of 0/14mm Lytag comprising a tailored blend of aggregates specifically designed to offer a greater reduction in concrete density.
Steve Curley, general manager for Lytag at Aggregate Industries, said: ‘The design freedom afforded by Lytag is unparalleled in that it offers the same level of structural performance as normal-weight concrete but is significantly lighter, thus reducing the dead load of a construction.
‘In projects such as Acton Swing Bridge, where strengthening works need to be achieved without resulting in an increase to size or mass, this product can really make the otherwise infeasible achievable.’
Daniel Preston, principal engineer at the Canal & River Trust, added: ‘Lytag is a fantastic product that enabled us to more easily meet our requirements, all while creating sustainable savings in concrete, foundations and other associated construction costs.’
