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View the Blist Hill Case Report here.

CINTEC ANCHOR SAVES INDUSTRIAL HERITAGE MUSEUM

The site of the historic Blist Hill furnaces in the Ironbridge Gorge has been stabilised using the CINTEC anchors manufactured by Cavity Lock Systems.

The bases of the blast furnace survive, together with a retaining wall pierced with Gothic arches and the foundry buildings which housed the blacksmith's workshops and storerooms. Overseen by English Heritage, the site became a museum of industrial heritage in the mid-1960's, following fifty years of dereliction.

The structure of the building has in recent years experienced movement due to the deterioration of the original tie rods. To stabilise the structure, 38 CINTEC anchors, measuring between 7m and 16.5m were inserted at floor and ceiling level, tying the building facade back to secure internal walls.

The CINTEC system comprises a steel section in a mesh fabric sleeve, into which a specially developed cementitious grout is injectiod under pressure. Flow is restrained by the flexible sleeve of woven polyester, which expands to about twice its nominal diameter, moulding itself into the shape of voids and providing a positive bond.

Due to deterioration of the fabric and ground and water pressure, the 13m retaining wall was also experiencing distress cracking and loss of material.

CINTEC ground anchors were used to stabilise this structure, securing the wall to mudstone strata. Altogether 42 anchors measuring up to 20m in length were used at approximately 1.5m centres in each direction.

John Wardle, who advised the contractor WT Specialist Contracts on the design of the wall ties for this application explains: "The CINTEC system is without equal when faced with this kind of repair. Sensitive structures can be efficiently and cost effectively stabilised without leaving any trace of the remedial work.

"Comprehensive testing bt the BRE demonstrates that this product can be relied upon to provide a permanent repair. The CINTEC anchor system provided the only practical solution for stabilising the site at Blist Hill."

PRESS CONTACT: IAN MUIR OR NICCI HAILES ON (0117) 9291969

The site of the historic Blist Hill blast furnaces in the Ironbridge Gorge has been stabilised using CINTEC anchors manufactured by Cavity Lock Systems.