Stanton Precast install Cascade Embankment Channels to protect embankment
An efficient channelling system was needed to help carry natural spring water while protecting the embankment, during a culvert repair project by Stanton Precast on the A458.
The collapsed culvert was managing spring water travelling from the north side to a stream on the south side of the A458 at Spring Bank, just west of Welshpool.
That part of the A458 at Spring Bank had been reduced to one lane controlled by traffic lights for 18 months prior to work commencing, due to part of the road being damaged by subsidence.
GD Harries Contractors were appointed by North and Mid Wales Trunk Road Agency (NMWTRA) to carry out the repairs.
Work started in January 2022 and was expected to take 14 weeks.
The new culvert was constructed using DN600mm precast concrete pipe placed beneath the A458 carriageway.
The spring water passes through the culvert under the road arriving on the south side where an embankment guides the flow to a pond where it passes underground once again to the stream nearby.
Ensuring erosion to the bank was kept to a minimum the designers had designed a channel to manage the flow down the embankment to the pond situated at its base.
The chute was originally designed to be cast in situ but Tom Colley, GD Harries’ Site Manager wanted to take advantage of the benefits of an offsite system to help speed up construction and make it easier for the team to work with. He was determined that the January weather would not restrict their schedule!
He discovered the Stanton Precast Cascade Embankment Channel online and worked with the Stanton team to select the most appropriate size and shape for the embankment at Spring Bank.
Once line and length was established the first bottom unit was pinned and haunched. Subsequent units were slotted into the previous, pinned in place and levels checked, continuing up the embankment till they reached the mouth of the culvert.
The 11m long chute was constructed in one morning. The interlocking units contributed to ease of placement and the speed of installation. Once the chute was constructed and embedded it was left ready for earthworks to be completed around it.
The whole scheme was scheduled for a 14 week program but the works were completed within 12 weeks. Two weeks early!
Tom Colley said “The Cascade Channels were installed quickly in just one morning. They helped us complete the whole project two weeks early.
Using an offsite system makes things safer and quicker and the units slotted together which made them easy to work with, a win, win for everyone.”
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Article supplied by:
Stanton Precast
Tel: 0115 944 1448
Email: info@stantonprecast.co.uk
Web: https://www.stantonprecast.co.uk