Project Reference: The Braggs Building - MasterFlow 4600
Location: University of Adelaide, South Australia
Applicator: Lendlease / Portolesi Structural Group
Products Used: MasterFlow 4600 - Cementitious ultra-high strength, non-shrink, iron reinforced precision grout
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The Background
The Braggs Building is a major cancer research and medical facility at the University of Adelaide. The building houses innovative technology and a unique suite of transdisciplinary laboratories that provides researchers with more than 10,000m2 of research and educational space.
The Challenge
Due to their research into nuclear medicine, the building needed to be shielded with steel panels to ensure no radiation could escape the facility. The logistics of the project proved difficult, as the contractor, Portolesi Structural Group had to grout the steel panels into voids of the walls.
Our Solution
Master Builders Solutions determined that MasterFlow 4600 was the only suitable grout for the project due to its high weight per/m3, pumpability and ultra-high early / final strengths. The original specification stated that the grout needed to weigh 2,800kg/m3, as the high density of the grout would ensure all traces of radiation escaping the facility would be minimised. Master Builders Solutions were the only supplier to meet this specification.
To ensure no voids were present between the steel panels MasterFlow 4600 was pumped between each 50mm void. Due to its high flow characteristics, the grout easily filled all voids in the structure.
The works began in late January 2022, resulting in a final sign off in March - once the panels were installed and signed off by the asset owner. In total, more than 15 pallets of MasterFlow 4600 were used on the project to ensure all staff and public were safe from the radiation present in the lab.
Project Facts at a Glance
- The building needed to be insulated with steel panels to ensure no radiation could escape the facility, meaning steel panels needed to be grouted into voids of the walls of the existing structure.
- MasterFlow 4600 was the only grout able to meet the technical specifications.
Customer's Benefit
- MasterFlow 4600 meet the material density specificaiton by providing high flow, zero bleed grout that was suitable for pumping
- Master Builders Solutions provided technical advice and guidance for mock up trials undertaken prior to the large scale installation
