QED
have a range of products for eliminating and addressing the problems of
corrosion in bridge structures. Steel corrosion affects all types of
bridge structure, suspension bridges suffer from corrosion to the
supporting cables and the concrete structure for the bridge supports
and anchor system and cantilever bridges suffer from corrosion of the
reinforcement within the concrete.
Corrosion of steel reinforcements within Concrete
We
can supply our anti-corrosion product in a form suitable for insertion
into the concrete structure of the bridge (VPI580, 600 & 610). This
is done by drilling holes in the structure close to the steel
reinforcement / prestressed wires that have been identified as
suffering corrosion. Our product is inserted or pumped into the holes,
and the hole is sealed. Once the product is installed, our combination
of corrosion inhibitors begin working almost immediately, migrating
through the concrete structure and coating internal steel preventing
further corrosion.
VPI580B - Corrosion of steel box section in bridges
In
order to protect steel bridge structures from corrosion, our VPI580B
can be placed in the box section of bridges sections to be protected.
This will provide excellent protection to the interior steel sections,
which can corrode heavily. It is important that the box section to be
protected is sealed to ensure the protective vapour does not escape to
atmosphere, which will lessen the length of time the box section is
protected for.
Corrosion of cables in suspension bridges
QED
have been developing new products to treat the urgent problem of
corroding structural cables within suspension bridges. Using our
patented and proven corrosion inhibitors we have two solutions, the
first involves an impregnated wrap that creates a microclimate around
the cables halting corrosion for a long period of time.
Where
access is difficult, QED have been developing a forced volume VPI
system that works to maintain a specific density of anti-corrosion
vapour within the airspace surrounding the supporting cables. This is a
very cost effective method of treating a very complex repair problem
that exists in every suspension bridge across the world. QED believes
this system can eliminate any further corrosion once installed for an
indefinite period. The benefit of the forced volume VPI is that
moisture does not have to be eliminated in the cables for the product
to work, please take a look at the nail sample showing how steel
corrodes with and without our VPI protection.
www.qedchemicals.co.uk/proof.aspx We are currently running further trials and will publish the information on our website.