Outokumpu has recently delivered Forta DX 2304 duplex stainless steel rebar for the Cromer coast in the UK. Cromer is a well-known resort with a historic sea front and beloved beach, with original sea defences of a series of walls and timber groynes, some dating back to 1845. With rising sea levels and storms threatening the area, the town launched a coast protection scheme in 2013 in order to refurbish the sea defences and make them ready for the anticipated sea level rise to come over the next 100 years.
The project included refacing the concrete sea walls, improving parapet walls and repairing timber groynes. In coastal protection, timber groynes play a vital role as they keep as much sand as possible on the beach, to absorb the force of the waves before they hit the sea wall and cliff.
Stephen Jones, Rebar Commercial Manager at Outokumpu, says : âStainless steel rebar was chosen to support the concrete because of its superior corrosion resistance. With a critical chloride threshold level ten times greater than carbon steel rebar, stainless steel required less concrete cover while retaining its integrity and strength in spite of chloride ingress from the saltwater. It is virtually maintenance-free, has a low life cycle cost and will maintain its corrosion resistance over the designed life of the sea defences.â?