BEATING TRAFFIC

Strengthening works on busy road sections always pose problems, because they aim to complete work in the shortest time with minimal disruption to traffic flow. This was certainly true of the strengthening works on two slip roads at Junction 6 of the M6 motorway in the English Midlands, otherwise known as 'Spaghetti Junction'. This article reports on the problems of this project. In 1977, deficiencies were identified in the complex slip road structure of this junction during assessment of its ability to carry 40t lorries. Consulting engineers Maunsell Ltd have been consultants on the M6 Midlands Links since the 1980s, working for the Highways Agency (HA) on strengthening assessments and repair works. Maunsell eventually decided to prestress the structure. Transverse core holes were made through the crossbeams and prestressing beams were inserted through them. Works began on site in September 1998 with completion due in sections; the contract was scheduled to last for 82 weeks. About 380 tie bars had to be inserted during the contract, typically in top-and-bottom pairs. Remedial works also had to be applied to areas affected by chloride ingress. The strengthening works were completed successfully, and the structure's defects were removed with minimal disruption to those travelling through the junction.

• 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 
• Publication Date: 2000-6

Language

• English

Media Info

• Pagination: p. 30-2
• Serial:
  • CONCRETE ENGINEERING INTERNATIONAL
  • Volume: 4
  • Issue Number: 4
  • Publisher: THE CONCRETE SOCIETY
  • ISSN: 1460-5856

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Access roads; Anchorages; Beams; Bridges; Concrete; Construction sites; Contracts; Corrosion; Freeways; Halides; Highways; Intersections; Prestressing; Reinforcement (Engineering); Repairing; Strength of materials
• Geographic Terms: United Kingdom
• ITRD Terms: 435: Access road; 3420: Anchorage; 3472: Beam; 3455: Bridge; 4755: Concrete; 3628: Construction site; 146: Contract; 5252: Corrosion; 7314: Halide; 2755: Highway; 455: Junction; 2752: Motorway; 4777: Prestressing; 9111: Reinforcement (gen); 3635: Repair; 5544: Strength (mater); 8119: United Kingdom
• Subject Areas: Administration and Management; Bridges and other structures; Highways;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00799626
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport Research Laboratory
• Files: ITRD
• Created Date: Oct 6 2000 12:00AM