Quantum Geotechnical has used a pair of TEI masts to stabilise embankments on a South Wales highways scheme.
The A465 Heads of the Valleys road is undergoing an £800m upgrade to widen the carriageway and install grade separated junctions. Quantum Geotechnical was awarded substantial soil nailing and rock bolting contracts on two separate parts of the project – Section 3, a 7.8km section from Brynmawr to Tredegar; and Section 2, 8km from Gilwern to Brynmawr.
Two TEI masts, supplied by Skelair, were used to install soil nails, rock bolts and ground anchors on high-cut embankments where conventional plant would have required temporary earthworks for access. Attached to specially adapted excavators supplied by Medrus Plant Services, the rigs were able to install self-drilling anchors up to 120mm diameter and 15 metres long, at positions up to 9.5 metres above the working platform. They coped with a variety of ground conditions, including highly fractured quartzitic sandstone.
The two TEI Masts are the back bone of the geo contracting business, according to Quantum operations manager Steff Probert: “Our TEI Hem 560 masts are key to our business, they are flexible, powerful and robust and allow us to maintain high production levels whatever the ground throws at us. Once we had tested the machines through Skelair’s hire service, we wanted to add them to the fleet.”
Sourced: theconstructionindex.co.uk