THE latest addition to SteinTec’s range of high performance paving mortar came into its own after problems slowed down the project to stylishly transform a main entrance roadway to the grounds of the historic Hampton Court Palace on the outskirts on London.
Sub contractors Kenward Groundworks were awarded the project to upgrade Kingston Gate, used by lorries servicing major events, with only eight weeks to replace 350 square metres of roadway at its junction with the main A308 Hampton Court Road, and re-lay it with a modern traffic-friendly design composed entirely of granite cubes and setts.
With preparations for Hampton Court’s prestigious annual Flower Show already well underway, the eight week deadline meant that Kingston Gate would be ready only just in time to allow scheduled lorry traffic to resume essential deliveries.
Thus SteinTec’s BS7533 fully compliant paving mortar was specified in order to meet the requirement for heavy trafficking and long term durability; priming the granite paving elements and concrete roadbase with SteinTec tuffbond, laying onto a 30mm bed of SteinTec tuffbed 2-pack bedding mortar and jointing with SteinTec tuffgrout.
However, unexpected problems with underground utilities set the job off to a slower than anticipated start which meant that by the time the new concrete roadbase had been laid, the job was behind schedule before layworks had even begun.
Even with Kenward’s setting two paving gangs to work together to lay cubes and setts, fears arose that finishing the job at the 11th hour would not allow enough curing time for the paving mortar to reach the full 28 day strength of 40KN/m2 desired to allow heavy lorry traffic over the surface on the opening day.
SteinTec were consulted and provided an alternative solution in the form of their new tuffset G; a versatile rapid strength gain mortar. tuffset G is a single product for bedding, priming and jointing, reaching a strength of 30KN/m2 in just 4 hours. This enabled layworks to be continued right up to the opening day if necessary, helping to ensure that the Kingston Gate re-opened bang on time.
Following completion of the project and opening of the roadway on time, Ross Campbell of Kenward Groundworks – said of tuffset G: “It certainly does what it says on the bag”.’
Tuffset G, like all its stablemates in the SteinTec range of specialist paving mortar, is fully compliant with the stringent performance criteria of BS7533 and has been specifically designed for the installation and repair of modular paving and the fixing or reinstatement of ironwork where early trafficking is essential.
Pavement works using tuffset G can typically be opened to traffic within three hours. tuffset G is cement-based with no admixtures, no resins or polymers to add, dispose of or decay with time, and no nasty fumes.
For more information about tuffset G and other SteinTec mortar products, log on to the SteinTec website at www.SteinTec.co.uk, or telephone 01708 860049. Kenward Groundworks can be contacted on 01403-210218 or through their website: www.kenwardgroundworks.co.uk.
