Oldbury Viaduct
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The Oldbury Viaduct is an elevated section of the M5 Motorway. To date, it's the largest ever concrete repair project in the UK.
The Problem
The 3.2-km of the elevated viaduct between junctions 1 and 2 is one of the busiest routes in the country, carrying 120,000 vehicles per day. Heavy traffic and years of exposure to de-icing salts had contributed to leaking joints and damaged waterproofing. Logistically, the work needed to be carried out with minimal disruption to traffic.
Our Solution
A major renewal scheme was developed, including hydro demolition, concrete repair, expansion joint replacement, cathodic protection, and waterproofing. Two types of cathodic protection were employed; the substructure was protected with impressed current cathodic protection, and over 50,000 Galvashield® XP4 anodes were used in the concrete deck and expansion joint repairs. After the concrete repairs had been completed, a waterproof membrane was applied and overlaid with asphalt. Ultimately over one and a half million kilograms (3.3M lb.) of repair materials were used. The project was dubbed the largest concrete repair scheme ever completed in the United Kingdom.
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The Result
Motorists will then benefit from smoother and safer journeys and will be able to access the M5 more easily from junctions 1 and 2. This system will protect the structure for years to come and prevent water from penetrating the concrete that has been repaired.
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Technology Used
These innovative products and technologies were used on this project.