Tensar International, a specialist in soil-reinforcement and ground-stabilisation technology, has had its Tensar/Netlon technology named as a Great British Innovation in a poll voted for by the British public.
Netlon is made by extruding molten plastic into mesh structures, rather than a traditional weaving process, and led to the development of Tensar, a plastic grid that is famed for being as strong as steel. www.tensar.co.uk
Vibro Menard has started on the ground engineering for four wind turbines at the Avonmouth wind power project in Bristol for main contractor, Lagan Construction, using an innovative bio-modulus column technique. The combined CMC (controlled modulus columns) and stone columns work in synergy to give robustness. CMCs support the load through weak soil to the compact soil, and the upper stone columns reduce the risk of punching through the load-transfer platform. www.vibromenard.co.uk
Robust Details has approved the use of Insulslab SFRC insulated raft foundation system for separating walls, with the system now an accepted base for cavity masonry separating walls incorporating the Icopal-Monarfloor Bridgestop system. Insulslab SFRC delivers the foundation up to ground floor level and removes the need for a topping screed. The system interfaces with separating walls, making it eligible for approval under the Robust Details scheme.
