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| Floodgates |
Floodgates and immersed structures are subjected to some of the most
corrosive conditions that steel structures have to withstand.
In addition to weather/marine immersed environments and fungal attack
with accelerated low water corrosion there is also the mechanical
risk of impact damage from boats and floating debris as well as constant
gravel and abrasive floating grit, which constantly wears away softer
type coatings.
The Consultants of SPC were first retained on the Thames Barrier when
it was a design item in the early 1970’s and came up with a
coating system with a design life of 25 years based on a hot applied
solvent free epoxy coating.
This coating has now been in service use on the Thames Barrier
for over 20 years and  the
system recommended by SPC has proved the test of time. SPC are now
acting through W S Atkins Plc to advise the Environment Agency on
remedial coatings for the major maintenance, which will be carried
out over the next ten years.
The gates on the Thames Barrier would prevent flooding of £80
billion worth of property in Greater London alone and will need
significant upgrading over the next 15 years. When the Barrier was
first opened in the early 80’s only half a dozen closures
were required each year but in 2000 alone, the gates were closed
24 times and already in 2003 during January, the gates were closed
on 14 consecutive tides.
In addition to the Thames Barrier, SPC Consultants have advised
on major floodgate structures, in particular the Kotri and Sukker
Barrage in Pakistan, where advice, training and troubleshooting
have been carried out on these significant structures.
There have been a series of failure investigations and advice on
piling, jetties, sluices and weirs, where maintenance at any time
is extremely difficult. SPC has advised on all these structures
and has given the best coating practices to prevent corrosion at
any time that new structures are installed or maintenance is carried
out.
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