Product category:
Materials
News Release from: Instarmac Group | Subject: Ultracrete Flowpoint
Edited by the Buildingtalk Editorial
Team on 17 January 2006
Council quick off the mark
The rapid set and exceptional bonding qualities of Ultracrete Flowpoint allowed a refurbished area of Cardiff to be re-opened to traffic within 36 hours.
Cardiff is currently one of Europe's most dynamic capital cities and is constantly surprising visitors with its charm, space and cosmopolitan buzz In addition to being an excellent place to visit, it is an ideal base from which to explore the culture and heritage of Wales and the coastline of western Britain
This article was originally published on Buildingtalk on 28 Apr 2008 at 8.00am (UK)
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It is for these reasons a growing number of people are visiting Cardiff both by night, as well as by day.
But the city's appeal and success is also spawning a few streetscape problems.
To ensure that each visitor's experience is both pleasant and safe, the granite setts and slabs that constitute the city centre's pedestrian surfaces are subject to an intensive maintenance regime.
Further reading
Initial contacts 'big dig' assisted by Instarmac
Instarmac's Ultracrete Flowpoint and Ultracrete EPR-9 were finally chosen as part of 'Big Dig' programme for the renewal and regeneration of Liverpool.
Risk free solution
Project in Jersey ran risk of failure at the granite setts and carriageway joints until Ultracrete Flowpoint was specified.
The essential street cleaning was, however, causing steady erosion of the sand joints between the setts and slabs, creating unstable joints and potential health and safety hazards.
As soon as the Cardiff County Council became aware of the problem it reacted immediately by contacting the Instarmac Group plc and requesting a durable and cost-effective solution.
Specifically, the Council required a grout that would maintain the area's historic ambience and appeal, withstand the frequent cleaning and minimise any future maintenance.
The surrounding businesses, shops and nightspots also influenced product selection, demanding a fast setting solution to minimise pedestrian inconvenience.
Instarmac proposed its Ultracrete Flowpoint rapid setting, flowable grout specifically formulated for applications where a fluid consistency and early trafficking are essential.
As soon as the offending granite setts and slabs were re-positioned, Ultracrete Flowpoint was applied (using the slurry method) by Cardiff County Council DLO.
The material was simply mixed with clean water on-site, poured over the entire surface using a large vessel and worked into the joints with a squeegee.
Shortly after application, a fine water spray was used to remove excess material and leave an exposed aggregate finish.
The rapid set and exceptional bonding qualities of Ultracrete Flowpoint allowed the area to be re-opened to traffic within 36 hours.
Pedestrians experienced little or no inconvenience, the street maintenance will in future be minimal and a pleasant and safe environment has been maintained.
Further information on the Cardiff town centre project can be requested from The Instarmac Group plc.
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