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A-Z of Mekina Industries Terminology

Your comprehensive guide to understanding some of the key terminology and concepts in the world of GRP Permanent Formwork. Whether you’re a seasoned engineer, a curious student, or a contractor, this guide aims to demystify some of the language surrounding our versatile infrastructure materials. But navigating through the vast array of GRP jargon can be daunting. That’s where Mekina’s handy A to Z guide can help.

A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  J  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  V  W  X  Y  Z

A

Additives

If your project requires specific additives to achieve criteria such as fire resistance, simply let us know in your initial conversation with us.

B

Bridge Structures

Bridge structures can be categorised based on several factors, including their intended usage (such as road, railway, or pedestrian bridges), the type of construction techniques employed, the bridge’s location (for instance, valley, suspension, or river crossings), and the framework type.

British Standards

Standards are used to establish consistent protocols that can be universally understood ensuring the reliability of the materials, such as composites. British Standards are displayed as ‘BS’ followed by numbers that indicate which standard the product meets. For example, BS EN 13501-1 is a fire safety standard.

C

Corrosion Resistance

Essential for bridges, GRP’s resistance to corrosion in harsh weather and environmental conditions reduces maintenance and prolongs the lifespan of the formwork, even in coastal or industrial zones.

D

Design Flexibility

GRP formwork can be customised to fit complex bridge geometries, making it adaptable for various bridge designs.

E

Embodied Carbon

Assessing the embodied carbon of GRP formwork in the way in which Mekina Industries can aligns with sustainable construction goals, minimising environmental impact through efficient material use and repurposing options at the end of use.

F

Fibre Reinforcement

The use of glass fibres in GRP provide enhanced structural strength and flexibility.

G

GRP

Glass Reinforced Polymer (GRP) is a composite material made by reinforcing a polymer matrix with glass fibres, offering high strength, durability, and resistance to corrosion.

H

High Strength-to-Weight Ratio

This property makes GRP an ideal choice for bridge formwork, as it combines the necessary strength needed at the concrete pour stage with the advantage of reduced weight, which eases installation and handling on site.

I

Impact Resistance

GRP formwork in bridges is designed to withstand impacts during installation and construction, reducing the risk of damage and extending service life even under challenging conditions.

J

Just-in-time manufacturing

Mekina’s just-in-time manufacturing approach for our leave-in-place bridge formwork panels involves producing and delivering the panels precisely when needed in the construction process, minimising inventory and ensuring cost-efficiency for your project.

K

Kiln Dried Timber

Although kiln-dried timber has traditionally been used as part of the formwork process, it is prone to warping, shrinking, and absorbing moisture over time, which can compromise the longevity of the formwork, whereas GRP offers superior durability, moisture resistance, and dimensional stability.

L

Lightweight

The lightweight nature of GRP simplifies transportation and installation of formwork on bridges, particularly in hard-to-access areas, without the need for heavy machinery.

M

Moulding

Traditional methods of producing formwork are highly restrictive, limiting the ability to create fully bespoke projects that are 100% tailored to the structure and the client’s needs. Moreover, these conventional approaches do not typically facilitate reductions in manufacturing waste, which is a high priority for Mekina.

N

Non-Conductivity

As a non-conductive material, GRP formwork is safe for bridge sites near high-voltage power lines, minimising electrical hazards during construction.

O

Off-site Manufacturing

The process of pre-fabricating elements of the bridge deck off-site and craning into place at the construction location, reducing on-site labour. GRP formwork components are well-suited to this technique due to their modular nature and ease of installation.

P

Permanent Formwork

The structure that is used to contain the placed concrete in order to mould it into the required dimensions and support it until it is able to support itself. In line with the requirements of the relevant standards, permanent formwork and in-situ concrete required for the deck shall satisfy all requirements for strength, serviceability, fatigue, composite action and durability.

Q

Quality Control

With ISO 9001 accreditation, Mekina Industries adheres to strict quality control processes to ensure that our GRP formwork meets required standards for safety and durability in bridge construction.

R

Recyclability

Mekina Industries is unique in the marketplace in that we are able to provide an end of use repurposing solution for our Mek-Dek products, reducing environmental impact and supporting sustainable bridge construction practices.

S

Sustainability

Our GRP formwork is a sustainable construction material due to its durability and minimal environmental impact over its long lifespan. Our tests show that Mek-Dek panels can outlast competitor products by up to 3 times.

T

Topcoats

Gelcoats in RAL colours can be applied to our products, particularly for marine environments, providing the GRP with an additional layer of protection against corrosion caused by salt exposure. Alternatively, they can be used simply to make your project stand out from the rest.

U

UV Resistance

Our UV-stable GRP formwork forms the soffit underside of the bridge and retains appearance under sun exposure, a critical feature for bridges that endure open weather conditions.

V

Vehicular Transportation

The lightweight nature of our products, combined with their stackable design, enables a reduction in the number of vehicles required, reducing environmental impact of the project and providing further evidence that these small changes can lead to significant savings.

W

Water Resistance

Unlike plywood, GRP’s low water absorption makes it ideal for use in bridges, preventing swelling, warping, or decay in humid or wet environments.

X

X-Factor – The Mekina Edge

At Mekina, we deliver The Edge to your bridge projects with the industry’s most sustainable leave-in-place GRP formwork, supported by robust technical assurance and a track record of proven performance.

Y

Yield Strength

The yield strength of GRP determines how much load the material can bear before it deforms, which is critical for ensuring safety during bridge construction.

Z

Zero Maintenance

One of the benefits of GRP permanent formwork is that it requires minimal maintenance once installed, contributing to long-term cost savings for bridge owners.

  • ISO9001 Quality Management UKAS
  • Constructionline Gold Member
  • Achilles Building Confidence Member
  • Acclaim Accreditation
  • Social Value Accredited
  • SSIP Accredited