Aggregate Industries lightens the load for the Acton Swing Bridge

Aggregates Industries recently lightened the load for the 73m-long bow string truss Acton Swing Bridge in England. When opened in 1933, it was the first floating swing bridge in the UK – floating on a pontoon. The 84-year-old bridge, which is cared for by the Canal & River Trust charity, carries the busy A49 road over the River Weaver Navigation, in the county of Cheshire. A recent €1.7 million complete refurbishment included strengthening works to the underside of the bridge as well as improvements to its
October 2, 2018 Read time: 3 mins
Work in full swing on the Acton Swing Bridge
Aggregates Industries recently lightened the load for the 73m-long bow string truss Acton Swing Bridge in England. When opened in 1933, it was the first floating swing bridge in the UK – floating on a pontoon.


The 84-year-old bridge, which is cared for by the Canal & River Trust charity, carries the busy A49 road over the River Weaver Navigation, in the county of Cheshire. A recent €1.7 million complete refurbishment included strengthening works to the underside of the bridge as well as improvements to its appearance.

Core to the project’s success was the ability to enhance the bridge’s structural integrity to allow for heavier traffic. The challenge was to do this without an increase of mass – given the required 2.5m allowance for boats passing underneath.

As such, 2297 Aggregate Industries’ Lytag secondary aggregate - up to 50% lighter than normal weight aggregate - was chosen by lead contractor Kier Construction. By using Lytag to replace the infill with the framework, the weight was effectively reduced from 2,400kg/m³ to 1,650kg/m³. This gave increased flexibility and durability for Kier, while ensuring an increased overall strength. The approach also negated the need for quarried aggregate, helping to reduce material requirements and ensure efficiencies.

With works now complete, the contract saw Aggregate Industries supply 100tonnes of 0/14mm Lytag - a tailored blend of aggregates specifically designed to offer a greater reduction in concrete density.

The design freedom afforded by Lytag offers the same level of structural performance as normal weight concrete, explained Steve Curley, general manager for Lytag at Aggregate Industries.


“However, it is significantly lighter, thus reducing the dead load of a construction. In projects such as Acton Swing Bridge, where strengthening works need to be achieved without resulting in an increase to size or mass, this product can really make the otherwise infeasible achievable.”

The lightweight concrete has a density of 1,850kg/m³ using natural fines (normal weight concrete of 2,400 kg/m³). If fines are used in conjunction with the 4/14mm aggregate, the density can be as low as 1,650kg/m³.

Using Lytag within the design can not only reduce the thickness of the slab, columns and foundations but reduce the amount of rebar required, resulting in a quicker more cost-effective greener structure.

Aggregate Industries is a member of the Swiss global building materials provider LafargeHolcim Group.

Road Structures

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Road recycling saves time and costs, reduces emissions
    February 13, 2012
    Stabilisers bring recycling improvements to roads in the UK and Armenia. The local road authorities near the UK city of Bath have saved nearly €250,500 on the cost of repairing a 400m long section of the B3110 Midford Road. This saving has been achieved by opting to recycle and strengthen in-situ the existing surface, instead of using conventional full depth pavement reconstruction.
    Read More
  • Terex Washing Systems set to launch new AggreSand system
    April 3, 2013
    Terex Washing Systems (TWS) is making final plans to unveil what it says is a new innovative washing system. The AggreSand system is the latest addition to what the company says is an already extensive product portfolio, and it is due to be officially launched in Quarter 2, 2013. The TWS AggreSand system combines aggregate washing and screening with sand processing on a modular chassis, and brings together “tried and trusted TWS components in an innovative modular design.”
    Read More
  • New methods allow concrete testing on the spot
    July 20, 2015
    This month we look at two new methods which are allowing concrete to be tested on the spot, and [over the page] we catch up on the latest news from concrete testing equipment suppliers - Kristina Smith writes Sometimes test results can be very bad news. If the concrete pavement or bridge abutment has already been poured, and if the concrete does not meet the specification, the outcome could be very expensive remedial work.
    Read More
  • Rapid action by Rapid International for Scotland’s Collier Group
    April 12, 2018
    Batching plant supplier Rapid International has supplied the Scottish Collier Group with its first batching plant as it enters the ready-mix and precast concrete market. The plant was installed at Collier’s Goathill Quarry in Fife. Collier Group’s activities have included processing of inert rubble, muck and soil from building sites, transportation of ash from power stations, production of type 1 sub-base, rock armour, single size aggregates including high PSV and manufactured concrete sand from the washi
    Read More

Highlighted Content