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Masonry works for Somerset County Council
Scheme: A39 Chewton Mendip Retaining Wall
Problem: Long term deterioration of masonry retaining wall alongside major route
Solution: Reconstruction, re-pointing and grouting of masonry
Client: Somerset County Council Main contractor: Atkins Highways
Following an initial scheme in 2002, Ram Services undertook several small schemes for Somerset County Council. Using confined space operations capable teams and specialist plant, these works have involved re-pointing and minor reconstruction of masonry arched culverts at five locations around the county.
As a result of this, Ram Services were invited to participate with early involvement in the development of a scheme to refurbish a retaining wall some 1000m long at Chewton Mendip. During a planned but critical long term road closure, a significant length of masonry retaining wall was refurbished by Ram Services Limited masonry repair personnel working alongside other teams employed by Atkins Highways.
Work undertaken by the Ram team included localised re-construction of defective sections of retaining wall, extensive pressure pointing and grouting of the worst voided areas of the wall.
The original construction and condition of the wall, coupled with resulting heritage considerations, dictated use of selected lime based repair compounds, and matching techniques for preparation of masonry and application of new material. These included use of hand tools and low pressure water jetting to prepare existing wall surfaces, and pre-packaged, colour matched Easipoint Heritage Mortar, placed using pressure pointing equipment to re-point the wall joints. Highly flowable, low strength lime based grout placed under low pressure was used to infill significantly voided sections in the retaining wall.
Contract duration: 8 weeks
Contract value: £140,000.00
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