As a specialist of structural systems and ground engineering, we provide bespoke solutions combining design and methods, in-house systems and project execution for the construction of transport infrastructure worldwide.
Ground engineering, post-tensioning, heavy lifting…: discover our solutions to cater for a complex architecture, difficult site conditions, accelerated schedules and more.
Industrial & energy-producing structures
As a specialist of structural systems and ground engineering, we provide bespoke solutions combining design and methods, in-house systems and project execution for the construction of industrial and energy-producing structures worldwide.
We deliver bespoke inspections, preservation plans and maintenance operations to manage the ageing of structures and optimize their safety, durability and asset value.
As specialists of structural components, we specialise in the repair or replacement of parts of an asset that are essential to guarantee continued safe use. The repair or replacement of parts of an asset due to structural deterioration is essential to maintain or reinstate it in a condition that guarantees continued safe use. As specialists of structural components, VSL helps owners and asset managers to define a tailored-made solution balancing cost, safety, continuity of service, performance and durability.
We offer structural modification solutions to accommodate new uses or requirements that help maintain a structure’s value, comply with the latest design codes and safety recommendations or answer to new needs.
VSL International is present in many countries, and we can be your local partner wherever you are.
Find your country page and access tailored information about our local services and solutions, our project references, our contact details and more.
RETROFITTING
RETROFITTING
ADDING NEW FUNCTIONAL FEATURES TO YOUR STRUCTURE.
Retrofitting of structures: What is at stake?
Over any asset’s lifetime, there might be the need to add new functional features in order to better protect the structure itself or its users, or to offer an improved level of reliability or service, for instance:
protecting a cable-stayed bridge against fire or blast impact
protecting users of a cable-stayed bridge against ice falling from stay cables
installing new and better performing safety barriers
adding dynamic damping to a structure affected by wind- or traffic-induced vibrations
adding redundancy to a structural system to address new threats
Retrofitting components or systems to address these changing demands can have an impact on critical structural members such as stay cables, bridge deck cantilevers, columns and many others. Additional weight might get added or protective devices might potentially impair the required movements of structural components such as cable stays and bearings. In addition, maintenance and inspection requirements might be very different after a retrofit.
The overall performance of the structure – and a consideration of the whole-life costs – must therefore be kept in mind during the engineering and implementation of any retrofit solution.
How VSL can help you
VSL offers perfectly integrated retrofit packages that make use of more than 60 years of experience in the engineering, testing, manufacturing, installation and maintenance of post-tensioning, stay-cable and ground anchor systems, as well as bearings and other structural components.
Whether for existing VSL installations or third-party products, we detail the most appropriate solution to address the new functional requirements while guaranteeing the structural capacity, durability and inspection and maintenance needs of the existing elements.
With our expertise as a specialist contractor operating worldwide we can manage a retrofitting project from start to finish and take the hassle away of having to co-ordinate multiple suppliers and contractors.
What are the VSL retrofitting of structures solutions?
VSL offers a range of retrofit solutions and add-ons to its products and systems that can deliver invaluable new functionality. These include:
protection of stay cables and external post-tensioned cables against fire, blast and ice accretion.
retrofitting of stay-cable dampers to control vibrations induced by rain, wind and traffic.
retrofitting of seismic isolators, dampers and buffers.
retrofitting of load cells to existing ground anchors to enable monitoring.
implementation of LEDs along a stay-cable’s free length for dynamic lighting effects.
De-icing solutions: maintaining optimum user safety throughout the seasons
In cooperation with Aarhus University in Denmark, VSL has developed cutting-edge solutions to manage the impact of ice on stay cables and maintain the safety of users throughout the year. Our unique systems, either passive or active, can be used to retrofit existing bridges. The VSL P-IMS, our Passive Ice Management System, is a cable sheath with a raised texture on its surface which retains ice until it melts, managing the risk of lumps of ice falling from the stays. Additionally, the VSL A-IRS, our Active Ice Removal System, enables ice to be removed mechanically, on demand, with no risk of damage to the sheath. These solutions have demonstrated outstanding performance in mitigating rain and wind induced vibrations.
