AN ELEVATED STRATEGY

This article discusses a recent investigation, repair, and maintenance programme, undertaken on the 2.9km long M4 Elevated Viaduct in West London. The viaduct carries a crucial motorway link into London, and has been suffering from chloride-induced corrosion of its reinforcement. In 1991, WSP took over responsibility for monitoring and maintaining the West London road network on behalf of the Highways Agency (HA). Soon afterwards, inspections of the M4 Elevated revealed problems that were to concern the investigation and assessment team for the next six years. The deck joints over the piers were leaking, so that water containing de-icing salts had seeped down through them and corroded the pier crossheads below. The loose concrete was removed almost immediately, and investigations and assessment began with a view to maintaining public safety and repairing the structure. Because of the key importance of the viaduct, it was soon recognised that effective traffic management and publicity would be the key to minimising the impact of the work; these elements became an important part of the study's planning and execution. The article gives details of the structure, outlines the investigations and tests conducted, and describes the solutions applied. The structure is now safe, although repair work continues without major disruption.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/14605856
• Corporate Authors:

  Palladian Publications Limited

  15 South Street
  Farnham Surrey GU97QU,   United Kingdom 
• Authors:
  • HUGHES, G
  • HAYTER, G F
• Publication Date: 1999

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: References;
• Pagination: p. 56-60
• Serial:
  • CONCRETE ENGINEERING INTERNATIONAL
  • Volume: 3
  • Issue Number: 1
  • Publisher: THE CONCRETE SOCIETY
  • ISSN: 1460-5856

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bridge decks; Bridges; Concrete; Construction; Corrosion; Deicing chemicals; Freeways; Joints; Maintenance; Material reinforcement; Reinforcing materials; Repairing; Safety; Seepage; Urban areas; Water
• Geographic Terms: United Kingdom
• ITRD Terms: 3455: Bridge; 3482: Bridge deck; 4755: Concrete; 3655: Construction; 5252: Corrosion; 2598: Deicing; 2998: Joint (structural); 3847: Maintenance; 2752: Motorway; 3471: Reinforcement (in mater); 3635: Repair; 1665: Safety; 4315: Seepage; 8119: United Kingdom; 313: Urban area; 4355: Water
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Construction; Highways; Hydraulics and Hydrology; Maintenance and Preservation; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00767088
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport Research Laboratory
• Files: ITRD
• Created Date: Aug 6 1999 12:00AM