Prefab concrete specialist ABM has upgraded its facility in Newark, Nottinghamshire to enable production of larger and heavier bridge beams.

Above: ABM says it can now produce the largest bridge beams in the UK

ABM can now manufacture U and W section pre-stressed concrete bridge beams of up to 120 tonnes.

For production efficiency, reinforcements and stressing components are prefabricated off line, then craned into the moulds and tensioned prior to the concrete pour.

Controlled heating of the moulds speeds the strengthening of the concrete to the point where tensioning can be released.

“The new plant is 64 metres long,” said business development manager Mike Sanderson. “With our increased 120 tonnes lift capacity this gives us the capability to produce the largest bridge beams in the UK or multiples of smaller units.

“No other pre-cast concrete manufacturer on the UK mainland has the capacity for these large beams, this flexibility and such an extensive product range,” he claimed.