Elcometer & Erskine: How 15bar Blast Machines are Restoring a Landmark

Описание: When it comes to dry abrasive blasting, the Elcometer Blast Equipment division have done extensive testing about how best to optimise your blasting setup, to save you time and money.

But while we can demonstrate the benefits in a controlled testing environment, what about on a real blasting project? Well it just so happens that Elcometer 15bar Abrasive Blast Machines are being used to help restore and maintain a Category A Historic structure…

CONTENTS
0:00 - Blasting at a Higher Pressure
1:40 - Welcome to the Erskine Bridge
3:09 - Introducing David Dryburgh & the Project
5:50 - Why Elcometer Abrasive Blast Machines?
7:00 - The Benefits of Working at 15bar
8:30 - Elcometer's Other Features...

Located just north of Glasgow, the Erskine Bridge first opened on 2nd July 1971. At over 1,300m (4,300ft) in length, at the time of construction this cable-stayed box girder bridge, was the longest bridge of its type in the world.

Today an estimated 35,000 vehicles cross the Erskine Bridge every day, and it is one of the main transport links for Glasgow International Airport, Loch Lomand, and the North West Highlands. In 2018 the bridge was awarded Category A status by Historic Environment Scotland, in recognition of its special architectural interest.

In 2019, Transport Scotland announced the most extensive maintenance painting of the landmark crossing for a generation, which was awarded to bridge works specialist Spencer Group. The project involves the surveying and inspection of existing steelwork, making any necessary repairs, and then abrasive blasting off the existing paint layers, before applying a new coating system.

However the Erskine Bridge presents a unique challenge. Since it is a main transport link, shutting the bridge, or even just a single lane, would have a massive knock-on effect to the surrounding roads. So when it comes to blasting, this means the abrasive blast machine can’t go on the bridge itself, but 40 metres below the bridge deck. This is where Elcometer’s unique 15bar Abrasive Blast Machines come in.

To find out about more this unique project we spoke to David Dryburgh, Blasting and Painting Technical Manager for Spencer Group.

With two equipment sites underneath the bridge, one on the North side and one on the South, some 40 metres below the bridge deck, each includes a 900 CFM compressor connected to two Elcometer 15bar Abrasive Blast Machines. The blast hose is then run up to the cycle path of the bridge, and then along the bridge to the box where blasting is taking place. So at the moment the blast hose is running along to Box 80, the most southern box on the bridge. However, when it comes to blasting in the middle of the bridge, say Box 40 or 41, the length of the blast hose becomes much, much longer - a remarkable 800m to the center of the bridge.

As Elcometer are currently the only manufacturers of 15bar rated blast machines, it gives David the option to increase the compressor pressure setting when he needs to, as the boxes get further away from the equipment site.

For more information on the Elcometer Blast Machines, Valves, ancillary equipment, Personal Protection Equipment, and our complete range of spare and replacement parts - please contact [email protected] or visit our website: https://blast.elcometer.com/
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