Special PERI pre-fabricated formwork systems provide perfect concrete finish for bridge piers
The new 7.5km Great Barford Bypass had been long awaited by local residents as it will ease the traffic congestion through this small Bedfordshire village. As it was impossible to achieve the required level of concrete finish for the 12 bridge piers using steel-faced shutters and traditionally fabricated formwork panels, the Contractor chose special pre-fabricated formwork systems manufactured by PERI Ltd at their Rugby workshop. The F6 concrete finish features chamfered indentations and tieholes at regular intervals and the PERI solution was to use prefabricated VARIO wall formwork panels with a Wisa-form phenolic- faced ply formlining.
8.5m high VARIO wall panels were fabricated in 2.44m widths to accommodate the different pier heights.
Additionally pre-fabricated shutters were also supplied by PERI for the 650mm Bull-Nose ends. These incorporated timber carcassing and were fitted with two skins of 4mm Birch ply to achieve the tight radius with the top skin glued in position to avoid fixing positions being visible. The Bull-Nose ends were made in 8.5m lengths to suit the height of the VARIO shutters.
“The quality of finish has been excellent. The Project has run very smoothly and has gone to programme and I would definitely consider using PERI systems again for the right application.”
