Colne Valley Viaduct

As the longest bridge on the HS2 line, the 3.4km Colne Valley Viaduct spans a series of lakes and rivers, making it one of the most technically ambitious components of the route. With a vast number of precast segments being installed daily, the client required a high-performance epoxy system that could:

• Cure rapidly, even in colder temperatures, to support an aggressive construction schedule.
• Remain in place during vertical and overhead application – i.e. be thixotropic, with no sagging or dripping.
• Provide consistent bond quality across variable site conditions.
• Integrate seamlessly into the segmental construction process, with minimal disruption or waste.

THE SOLUTION

Premcrete delivered an engineered epoxy bonding solution, underpinned by constant site presence and tailored technical support. Our solution included:

• Eponite EP-T and Eponite EP-T-VFC, formulated specifically for segmental bridge construction.
  • EP-T: stable, workhorse structural adhesive for standard use.
  • EP-T-VFC: a very fast-curing variant, designed to accelerate productivity in cooler climates.
• Thixotropic consistency for both systems, ensuring that the material could be confidently applied on vertical or overhead faces without slump or drip.
• Ongoing on-site training and support, helping teams to maintain quality standards and application confidence across hundreds of segments.
• Just-in-time material deliveries, optimised to match daily installation targets and avoid excess handling or storage needs.

Our proactive and collaborative approach enabled the Align JV team to maintain a reliable, high-performance segmental bond line — even under tight time constraints and variable field conditions.