Latest Project Report - Welsh Links

Two interesting projects in Wales this week:

The first is the inspection of an arch bridge, to establish its condition. Arches are can be susceptible to extremes of weather so examinations in spring are useful to detect deterioration caused by frost or heavy rain.



Measuring an area of pointing loss

The second project was an inspection for assessment, the principal information required was the thickness of the beam flanges supporting the jack arches which in turn support the deck. In this type of construction the bricks forming the jack arch sit directly on the lower beam flange making a caliper measurement impractical.

Measuring the thickness of the beam flange

To get around this problem we use ultra-sonic thickness measurement. This gives us accurate measurement of the remaining flange and has the bonus that with the right equipment it will measure through existing coatings.

We are interested to discuss your needs in regard to bridge asset management.  Please contact us 01270 589615

Latest Project - Culverts and Bridges

A recent project demonstrated the versitility of the Up and Under Inspection offering.  The works included the requirement for engineers trained in confined space working to undertake principal inspections of two culverts. 

Following on from this the same team was able to undertake the inspection of a single span underbridge and a 12 span viaduct, this time utilising a MEWP which - you guessed it - they were also qualified to use.

So what if they needed to use rope access to get to some parts of the structure - yes right again - they could have done that oh and a pontoon for inspection over water - got it covered.

So what we are saying is that we can offer you a comprehensive inspection package with Engineers with a wealth of professional and technical experience.

So what can we help you with? Inspection, Testing, Investigation?  Problem structures?
Contact us on 01270 589615

Latest Project - Structure Investigation

As you know we are the place to come to when you have a puzzling problem.  And so it was with a recent project.  "We want to know why our parapet posts are swelling" 

There were a list of likely causes suggested including internal gas pressure, fabrication errors or water in the posts.  Our team prepared a plan to safely investigate the issue, including for the risk of drilling into a gas filled vessel.

Paint thickness measurment on site

The works, undertaken overnight, included air sampling and the use of video recorded borescope examination.

The findings were reported to the client with the likely cause being less exotic than many postulated by others - but then isn't that often the case.

If you need a structure examined to determine the cause of a defect, as part of an assessment exercise or event to prepare 'as built' drawings Contact us 01270 589615

Highways Agency Area 10 - Reflections on 5 years of good stuff

This weekend will see the end of AOne+'s stewardship of Highways Agency Area 10. During this time we have had the pleasure of working with a great team based in Warrington.

We have looked back over the past five years of helping to manage this vitally important component in the country’s infrastructure and have come up with a few highlights. Our contribution to keeping the Trunk Roads of the North West in good order have included: 

• More than 2,500 General Bridge Inspections
• Over 1,500 Principal Inspections
• Inputting over 4,500 inspection reports into SMIS
• Checking and updating inventories of ~50 Pre-opening and end of defect liability inspections
• Assessing 215 structures for susceptibility to scour
• Carrying out more than 350 inspections following heavy rainfall/flood events
• Undertaking numerous special and monitoring inspections
• Monitoring the piers, half-joints and internal sections of Bidston Viaduct on a quarterly basis prior to completion of the strengthening works between 2007 -2010
• Assessing thousands of structures to determine their resilience against terrorism
• Monitoring bearings on Thelwall Viaduct and other structures
• Installing (pier location ) reference labelling to help the emergency services
• Helping to maintain the highway lighting
• Installing security measures to reduce the threat of vandalism and terrorism
• Removing graffiti, clearing trash screens, plus clearing and greasing flap valves
• Cleaning and greasing bearings on rail structures
• Determining traffic management, access and rail access requirements plus liaising with specialist suppliers
• In the past year alone, cleaning and removing ~10 tonnes of pigeon droppings from structures, plus installing kilometres of pigeon spikes
• Maintaining and checking AOne+ work at height safety equipment (harnesses and lanyards)
• Solving access problems involving rope access and confined spaces working, work over and alongside deep water, the use of boats and pontoons and reacting to the joys of the british weather. 

 This has been a mammoth effort by our team, frequently working through the night, in all weathers, solving problems as they arose and innovating to meet the clients, the HA’s and the public’s needs for efficiency and safety.

None of this could have been achieved without the spirit of cooperation between ourselves and the AOne+ team. We would like to thank them all for embracing our ‘get it done’ approach.

It remains only to say thank you to all of our team members who have contributed so much over the past five years to the success of this project and to wish all those moving on to the next contract from AOne+ all the best for the future.

Our skill, enthusiasm and experience is available to all Highways Area Trunk Road managers. Contact us 01270 589615 ask for Miles.

Latest Project News - Tunnels with Towers

We recently completed the inspection of the ventilation towers to the Tyne Tunnel.  Conventional rope access was preceeded by the application of centuries old technology to get ropes up and over the rim of the the ventilation towers, the highest being over 40m high.

Big!

 The inspection, carried out by our engineers, was completed in accordance with Highways Agency Standard BD63/07.

Getting hands on

The methods used ensured that we we were able to access all areas of towers with no need for installation of any fixings/anchors.

Best off all the tunnel remained open to traffic throughout these works.

Inspections, testing or investigations our award winning team will find a solution that works for you, contact us  01270 589615

Safety Update - In Support of Inspection

The recent out of court settlement in the Doha Airport dispute highlights the need to inspect complex structures both during and following construction. The Doha case is reported as centering around cracks in end pieces designed to connect supporting cables to the structure. Although the building continued to function, and has since been remediated, the costs to the parties involved are expected to be high.

NCE 2012

Historically design, by necessity, was more conservative than that of some of the exciting structures we see being built today. Our greater understanding of material behaviour coupled with our use of complex modelling software has allowed structures to be built with less material, fewer components and to spans and heights not previously possible.

The potential downside is that there is now likely to be less redundancy in these structures and failures of individual components could lead to catastrophic failure. Designers are aware of these issues and design the structures accordingly, but monitoring the condition is an essential part of the whole life maintenance strategy.

If you have inspection, testing or investigation questions we are happy to help. Contact us 01270 589615

Helping Amey Keep Sheffield Running

 We recently completed two culvert condition surveys for Amey as part of their Sheffield PFI contract.  Up and Under are a long standing supplier to Amey of a range of services including speciailst access inspection investigation and testing services.

This job  involved the inspection of two culverts to determine their condition plus gathering data to allow the highway load capacity to be assessed.  Inspecting these hidden parts of the transport network is essential to its effective and safe operation. 

As you see, it is not an easy place to work, but with the right team, training and equipment we are able to undertake the works safely and professionally.

If you need culverts inspecting or repairing we are happy to discuss your needs. Our services include:

• Inspection
• Training
• Repairs
• Survey
• Dimensional checks
• Intrusive investigation 
• Safety escort
• Rescue services

Confined spaces, over water or rope access call 01270 589615

 

 

 

 

Free CPD Seminars

We are once again offering a range of lunch time CPD seminars to professionals and trainees in the construction, maintenance and asset management industries.  If you want us to present at your office or site please contact us.

Some of the subject matter

Those of you who have attended our talks in the past know that they are not thinly veiled sales pitches.  They are packed with useful practical information.  They typically last 30 minutes plus as much time as you need for questions.

Andy in full flow

You want more info click here

Everyone Wins With Partners

Inspectors from Up and Under and Amey recently joined forces to successfully complete two Principal Inspections in Birmingham.

No, not walking on air, but supported by tensioned webbing!

Access is one of the areas where we excel and these structures had their fair share of challenges including, motorways, rivers and even a canal. Up and Under team members brought their access experience to bear inspecting the sections where the Amey team’s conventional access methods were thwarted by vegetated embankments and adjacent structures; furthermore, the methods used allowed for daytime working without carriageway closures.

This is another in a long line of successful projects where we have combined forces with our clients to get the best result.

If you have worked with us you will know what we are talking about, if you would like to experience the cooperative can do approach of Up and Under give us a call on 01270 589615, Rob (inspection/testing), Miles (structure management) or Grant (difficult access maintenance) will be pleased to get involved.

Cooperation - you get there and have a look, I'll record it

Restricted Access No Restraint to Up and Under

A team from Up and Under Limited completed an investigation project last week in South Wales to determine the thickness and construction of a section of highway retaining wall.

Dense vegetation and a steep slope below the wall did not prevent the team from completing the works using rope access.  These techniques are very effective in terms of time cost and disruption.  We have also used these techniques on buildings and bridges to avoid disturbance of environmentally sensitive areas and also over water.

On this project we utilised euipment with the capacity to remove core samples up to 3m from the surface.  We have the capability to drill holes to depths in excess of 15m where required.

If you want further information contact Rob on 01270 589615 or rob@upandundergroup.com