Network Rail – Brixton Road railway arches
The Brixton Road rail arches carry the Atlantic (ATL) and Catford lines (CAT) between Denmark Hill and Brixton Stations. Annual Network Rail inspections of arch 276 identified the ATL end of the structure as being under strength and a temporary speed restriction was introduced. The Network Rail remedial works were scheduled for Autumn/Winter 2020 and Dyer and Butler were appointed Principal Contractor to undertake the works.
Get in touchDue to the site constraints associated with the arch location (i.e. parallel to other rail lines and residential properties), an alternative bid was proposed by Dyer and Butler to build the arch in-situ. This required the seven arch sections to be delivered and installed individually onto a steel jacking frame within the arch, which was later raised to the soffit of the structure to complete the strengthening.
This alternative methodology negated the need for lengthy abnormal possession of the site and the use of a track-mounted crane. Post jacking, walls were then cast beneath the arches while the arrangement was supported in its final position by a complex temporary works arrangement. Subsequent to the super-structure works, the arch will undergo internal fit out and be returned to use as a workshop.
How did our bespoke department help?
Seven precast arches were supplied which were each 3.75 metres high and weighed nearly 8.5 tonnes.
Radius cages were fabricated in-house. Due to the shape and size of the units, a design specification was produced to cover the lifting of them whilst on site. This ensured that any undue stress during the lifting and turning of the units was avoided before the arches reached full strength and resulted in the lift being both safe and level. The sheer size of the arches meant that the headroom required to pitch the units had to be taken into account.
Logistic considerations
Delivery of the units to site involved considerable logistical planning in order to avoid all low bridges.
The route was checked online and then the actual route chosen was driven before hand to ensure there would be no obstructions on the way. Specialist low loaders were used to transport the arches safely over a period of days.
Photos on site supplied by Dyer and Butler
Get in touch with our bespoke concrete department
Our experienced sales team is always on hand to help and advise you on the features and benefits of all of our bespoke concrete products. We would be more than happy to help you discuss the wide variety of options on offer.
Get in touchOther case studies
Lime Wood Free School : precast exterior ring beams
Lime Wood Free School is due to open its doors in 2022 when it will provide state-of-the-art education facilities for 630 children. Poundfield Precast manufactured 83 exterior ring beams for both the ground and first floor on both the internal and exterior faces of the school. In total over 400 tonnes of concrete was used to produce the precast units.
Bromford and Castle Vale flood risk management scheme
We supplied a total of 355 metres of precast flood defence walls which varied in height from 1.495 to 1.995 metres high using 50% GGBS (Ground granulated blast-furnace slag) which reduced the embodied carbon of each unit by 35%.
Canvey Island Southern Shoreline Revetment Project
The Canvey Island Southern Shoreline project will renew and improve the erosion protection on the seaward face of the tidal defences, over a 3km stretch between Thorney Bay and to the north of Leigh Beck pumping station. We provided over 1,000 individually reinforced low-carbon precast concrete steps which were manufactured in steel moulds.
Charity art trails : concrete plinths for art projects
We have supplied concrete plinths for charity art projects in towns in various parts of the country, including for Pigs Gone Wild, Elmer’s Big Parade and Snailspace Brighton trail.
