Colas Ltd delivers Addagrip excellence in complex Falkland Islands infrastructure project

RAF Mount Pleasant

Addagrip 1000 system concrete repair for RAF Mount Pleasant

Colas Limited have successfully completed a multi-million pound construction contract at RAF Mount Pleasant, in the Falkland Islands including the application of over 106,000m2 of the Addagrip 1000 System concrete pavement protection system. Running from March 2015 to April 2016, the contract with Interserve Defence Ltd was carried out in two phases avoiding work during the South Atlantic winter.

After receiving notification of the successful tender two days before Christmas 2014, Colas began a rapid mobilisation process of plant, equipment and materials including Colas Mobile asphalt plant and laboratory.

Phase one of the contract saw Colas repair a 40mm bump in the runway surface, install expansion joints and re-groove the runway. Phase one was completed in April 2015 and the client was delighted by the swift completion of the works.

In September 2015, Phase 2 equipment and materials were shipped the 5,382 miles to the Falkland Islands. This Phase required simultaneous construction of a taxiway strip and repair and reconfiguring areas of the main ASP.

The western access taxiway works involved the excavation of approximately 17,500m3 of soil and rock to create the required surface profile and the placing and compaction of granular fills to provide a strengthened run-off area for use by emergency vehicles. The surface of the re-profiled ground was then covered with a compacted topsoil layer, reinforced with geo-textiles and seeded to provide a FOD (Foreign Object Debris) free surface

To renovate the ASP, Colas teams removed 23,000m of existing joint sealant, repaired the pavement surface using epoxy mortar and installed new aircraft tie-down anchors on parking slots. In addition, Colas repaired drainage channel walls, removed and replaced drainage gratings and installed 930m of new concrete surrounds. Fuel resistant joint sealant was also used to seal 42,550m of joints on the ASP.

Surfacing requirements

Addagrip 1000 System Resin was also applied to 106,000m2 of the ASP concrete pavement to protect, seal and prolong the life of the surface. The Addagrip 1000 System Resin which has been widely used for over 30 years is designed to penetrate and seal the existing concrete surface which is then covered with a fine aggregate applied to provide an anti-slip finish. Addagrip 1000 System Resin provides a durable and cost-effective solution for addressing the problem of frost damaged and spalled concrete pavements predominantly on airfields. The Addagrip 1000 System allowed Colas to effectively rejuvenate and seal the ASP concrete pavement surface quickly and efficiently, preventing loose aggregate from the concrete surface creating a FOD issue.

The Addagrip 1000 System Resin can be used to treat concrete surfaces on ASP’s, taxiways, runway-ends and helipads to concrete runways.

Systems Used:

Client:

Colas for RAF Mount Pleasant