News
ABM Bridge Systems are Category Winners for the Concrete Society Performance Awards
11/11/2008
On Friday 7th November ABM Bridge Systems’ project for the Renault Formula 1 Team scooped a major accolade for their design, supply and erection of a Matière CM4 25/225 x 65m Long precast structure used in the F1 Teams Computational Aerodynamic Research Centre’ or ‘CAR Centre’. This is an environmentally friendly, subterranean computerised wind tunnel - a world class computing facility that is being used to perfect the aerodynamics of the Renault F1 2009 season cars.
The Judges comments in respect of this Award were as follows.
“Given the almost impossible exacting requirements necessary to construct and run a successful F1 racing machine operation, it was pleasing to see a client who wanted to retain the natural colour variation of concrete rather than have a uniform bland appearance you often get from painting. The concrete continues to experience minor changes in colour due to moisture movement. These are expected and accepted by the client who has been well briefed on changes that concrete experiences during drying until it reaches an equilibrium state.
The expectations of the client from the concrete structurein respect to cost, time and appearance have been achieved and there has been minimal impact to the surrounding environment. This is an innovative use of a construction system normally associated with large civil engineering works, which has been successfully transferred to a building concept.
The most impressive part is the enthusiasm and compliments paid by the client, who was impressed by the build quality and speed of erection of the precast Matière units.”
This earth sheltered structure will provide a stable thermal environment requiring less energy input for cooling and heating than conventional structures by using the thermal mass of the precast structure. Several of the structural elements incorporated unique features to meet the specific need of the Renault 1 Team. Towards the centre of the building the roof vaults incorporate circular cut-outs forming light wells to allow natural daylight to enter. A door aperture was also created at the mid-point along the length of the structure, from which a curved tunnel forms a dramatic entrance to the underground complex.
Congratulations for this tremendous achievement goes to all members of ABM Europe, particularly ABM Precast Solutions and Bridge Systems UK who were the influential force in helping to achieve this honour.
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