Complex repair measures on bridges, car parks, tunnels, underpasses and buildings are being made easily, quickly and efficiently without taking the structures in question out of service, thanks to Würth’s RELAST reinforcing system.
The RELAST system, which has recently been approved by Deutsche Institut für Bautechnik (German Institute for Construction Technology, DIBt) in Berlin, may be installed either from the top or the bottom of a structure, with bridge repairs performed from underneath. Therefore, such structures can be repaired while being used, without causing any traffic jams or requiring a detour.
“With RELAST, Würth offers a solution for concrete and reinforced concrete structures that is easy and quickly to use by engineers and construction crews. This way, many more repair works can be done in much shorter time. Operators and authorities may keep their structures in service while installing the system. This makes RELAST unique,” explains Thomas Klenk, managing director of Adolf Würth GmbH & Co KG responsible for product management, purchasing and exports.
A cost efficient alternative
Traffic is increasing, with ever more cars and trucks on the road. Existing bridges, tunnels and buildings often no longer meet the standards laid out in current design codes. Tearing down and rebuilding such structures would cause immense costs, not to mention congestions due to road closures. Using RELAST for reinforcing existing structures is therefore an alternative that offers great advantages in costs and time.
Munich’s main traffic artery was facing full closure for construction for years, causing total gridlock in the city centre. Using the RELAST reinforcing system for the repair of Munich’s Altstadtringtunnel under Prinz Carl Palais kept traffic moving. Within only a few months, more than 7,000 RELAST adhesive screw anchors were installed to reinforce the tunnel ceiling.
As opposed to new construction, repairing structures is much more environmentally friendly as it reduces CO2 emissions considerably. Studies show that a road fully closed for only one day, when building a replacement for example, has twice as high an environmental impact as the complete reinforcement of a structure. Building replacement structures takes several more months than repairing the structure, with the road closure causing quite an environmental impact.
“Tearing down and rebuilding structures does not only cost the taxpayers or private operators more but also has a huge impact on the environment because resources are wasted. RELAST is a really sustainable solution. That was an essential argument for developing the system,” says Peter Zürn, member of the central managing board of the Würth Group.
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