CPD Specifier May 2015 issue January 2014 | Page 32
Structural Repair
Environmentally friendly, multi-purpose
cement products saving time and money
Natural Cement Distribution Ltd’s diverse range of cement products
are based on naturally sourced materials which do not require the
use of chemicals such as primers and curing agents, therefore do not
contain elements which could contaminate ground or water.
set under water as the mix does not take in any additional water
when curing, which makes it ideal for such projects in this industry.
Therefore, Natural Cement products were able to provide a solution to
a complex structural problem.
Not only are these products environmentally sustainable, they also
possess time saving properties such as fast setting (between 19
seconds and 40 minutes) and curing (30 minutes), high early strength
gain and ease of use (add only water and mix with a paddle).
Natural Cement products are used widely throughout other industries
including the rail industry, with London Underground Ltd repeatedly
utilising the products for concrete repair functions on rail tracks, as
well as tunnel wall lining using spray concrete. The fast curing of the
products is what makes them extremely popular in the rail industry,
where speed is imperative.
The high versatility material is available in a variety of formats for a
wide range of purposes including concrete repairs, rendering, tanking,
water stopping and shotcreting, and is used throughout the industry,
from civil engineering to the water and rail industries.
Natural Cement products’ recent use for the structural repair of a
river wall demonstrates their versatility. Time was an issue in this
project due to tidal shifts. Preventative work was proposed to fill the
gaps between the waler beam and steel sheet piled river wall to
prevent snapping due to pressure from boats. The previous method
of using welded steel shims was problematic as the gaps were not
uniform in width, requiring each shim to be CNC cut to each different
size. Therefore, contractor’s Oxford Hydrotechnics selected Natural
Cement’s Natcem AC as a grout material to provide a new solution.
Grout bags were placed between the gaps, regardless of dimension
and pumped with Natcem AC. This standardised the procedure
and allowed very fast installation between tidal shifts. The fact that
Natural Cement materials are resistant to salt water also eliminated
the problem of corrosion which often occurs with shims. The products
The fast curing and sustainable strength properties associated
with these products allow you to save time and therefore money,
whilst allowing for the reduction of waste and preservation for future
generations, whatever the task ahead.
The company operates a CPD presentation programme as well as
product user training schemes for both the specifier and operatives in
the field.
www.naturalcement.co.uk
01226 381133
Reader Enquiry: 53
See Natural Cement at the Structural TLC event, 22nd May 2014 (see pages 30/31)
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