Sika carbon fibre plates strengthens Rotunda

Sika Carbodur structural strengthening system is currently being used in the renovation of Rotunda, the landmark, cylindrical tower block in Birmingham's Bullring.

Sika Carbodur structural strengthening system is currently being used in the renovation of Rotunda, the landmark, cylindrical tower block in Birmingham's Bullring.

Developers Urban Splash are converting the 81 metres high Grade ll listed building, which was opened by the architect James Roberts in 1965, into over 230 luxury apartments.

The apartments radiate from the central core like slices of cake, and this has involved the cutting of extra openings in the concrete core to allow access to the dwellings.

Structural engineers Dewhurst Macfarlane and Partners specified the Sika Carbodur structural strengthening system to return the strength lost by these cut-outs, and to increase the load capacity of the floors, thus reducing deflection, in the most cost effective and unobtrusive way.

The Sika Carbodur system comprises pultruded carbon fibre plates, which are bonded to the concrete structure with SikaDur 30, a specially formulated, cold cure epoxy adhesive.

Specialist contractors Laser Special Projects, are currently bonding around 5,000 metres of Carbodur around the central core, under the floor slabs and in the lift shaft areas.

Temporary propping was employed to spread loads prior to cutting out until the carbon plates were fitted.

Sika Carbudur plates are available in various widths, thicknesses and strengths.

It is a fast and efficient system, with a tried and tested track record, offering high performance with good technical support.

Although not due for completion until 2008, all available apartments were reserved within three hours of going on the market.

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