The corrosive effects of effluent seriously damaged the aluminium bridge deck at the wastewater treatment plant in Aars, Denmark. The plant management decided to install a new deck built of GRP planks supplied by Fiberline Composites.

Plant manager Poul Vejen explaines the problem:

“The key consideration was safety. The aluminium could not withstand long-term exposure to effluent. The edges of the existing planks were eaten away and holes appeared. The bridge eventually became unsafe to walk on, particularly when carrying heavy loads. But rotting caused by corrosion was not the only problem. When the aluminium panels expanded, they also moved and buckled, precisely where they needed to be strongest. The bridge had become unpleasant and unsafe to walk on and was also unsightly to look at. We therefore opted for a solution where corrosion would not be a problem.”

The plant management had previous experience of GRP in the form of guard rails supplied by Fiberline Composites 10 years before in 1996. They therefore knew that GRP was not sensitive to corrosive environments and also what it was like to work with.

“We installed the new deck ourselves after some basic instruction. We also adjusted the Fiberline planks at the motor and drive gear. GRP composite is easy to work with.” Poul Vejen continues.

Fiberline planks have a number of advantages that are making them increasingly popular with treatment plant managers.

• They are long-lasting and require virtually no maintenance.
• At the same time they are easy to install, thereby saving both time and money In addition, they produce tight joints and expansion is negligible.
• The non-slip surface, and the quartz sand surface of Fiberline planks gives plant personnel a secure foothold in wet and greasy conditions.