Blasting Success in Scotland

November 8, 2022

The Erskine Bridge is the longest cable-stayed bridge of its type in the world at just under 1.5km. Spanning the River Clyde between Glasgow and Dunbartonshire, the bridge is set an impressive landscape and was recently awarded category A status by Historic Environment Scotland in recognition of its special architectural interest.

With the bridge being used by more than 40,000 vehicles a day, Spencer Group, who were awarded the £18million maintenance project, had to find innovative ways to complete the work while causing minimal distruption to the community.

Consequently, they required surface preparation equipment which could be sited at ground level but still provide optimum pressure and productivity at the blast surface. This was a huge task as the bridge's epicentre is more than 600m away from the shoreline and elevated up to 60m from ground level.

After speaking to Elcometer Experts, who highlighted how Elcometer Performance Blast Machines provide minimal system pressure loss and have the unique capability to operate with 15bar input pressure, Spencer Group were convinced by the unique approach to the blasting work required.

Operating with two Elcometer Blast pots situated at each end of the bridge, the group are able to blast the entire structure whilst avoiding lane closure and allowing the monument to remain fully operational. 

Due to the pot's high pressure input capacity and ability to reduce frictional pressure losses, optimum pressure has been maintained at the working nozzle, meaning the group can blast with maximum productivity.

The machines have performed with reliability in the face of a heavy workload and are transforming the approach to blasting large structures. This, combined with the lower maintenance needs and benefits of Elcometer ancillary equipment has produced significant cost savings throughout the large infrastructure project.