South Queensferry Harbour Repairs

Project: South Queensferry Harbour Repairs
Product: NATCEM 35
Client: City of Edinburgh Council
Main Contractor: Southbay Civil Engineering

Project Overview: South Queensferry Harbour, a Category B listed structure owned and managed by the City of Edinburgh Council, required bespoke repairs to maintain its stability and ensure public safety. After a thorough condition report, Southbay Civil Engineering was contracted to perform these critical repairs in collaboration with the council and their design partner.

Project Challenges and Solutions: Working closely with the council and design partners, Southbay Civil Engineering identified the most cost-effective repair solutions. The project required careful material selection, due to the harsh marine environment and the harbour’s listed status. Natural Cement products were chosen for their durability and compatibility with the marine setting.

Key Project Activities:

1. Marine Growth Removal:
   • Marine growth was cleared to conduct a detailed defect survey, which helped define the scope of repointing works needed.
2. Repointing Works:
   • Existing joints were carefully raked and cleaned.
   • Repointing of brickwork was completed using NATCEM 35.
3. Void Filling and Grouting:
   • Several voids were discovered after removing existing paving.
   • A drilling rig was used to core holes into the structure, which were then filled with grout.

Material Spotlight: NATCEM 35, an environmentally friendly and fast-setting mortar, was integral to this project. It offers rapid strength gain and is highly resistant to seawater, making it ideal for marine environments. It can be applied up to any thickness from a minimum of 10mm, ensuring versatility and reliability for the repairs.