Eccles SubDrain™ System Selected for Sunderland’s Landmark Keel Crossing
Project:
Keel Crossing Pedestrian & Cycle Bridge
Challenge:
Sub-surface water management on a new bridge deck
Solution:
Eccles SubDrain™ System
Application:
Bridge Deck Drainage
The Project & Drainage Challenge
For the new £31m Keel Crossing bridge in Sunderland, project engineers needed a specialist solution to a critical challenge: managing water trapped beneath the deck’s surface. Water that percolates through porous asphalt can become trapped on the waterproofing membrane, creating hydrostatic pressure that threatens the structure’s integrity. An effective, maintainable, and robust drainage system was required.
The Eccles SubDrain™ Solution
Eccles was selected to provide its SubDrain™ system, a purpose-built sub-surface drainage solution engineered specifically for the demands of bridge decks and elevated structures. The SubDrain™ system provided a direct and comprehensive answer to the client’s requirements.
Manufactured from high-strength ductile iron, the SubDrain™ unit acts as a dedicated collection point for sub-surface water. It is installed at low points across the bridge deck, sitting at the crucial interface between the surfacing and the waterproofing membrane.
- Targeted Water Collection: The SubDrain™ design allows it to intercept and channel trapped water, providing a controlled exit point and preventing water from pooling.
- Pressure Relief: By continuously draining the membrane level, the system actively relieves the hydrostatic head, directly protecting the waterproofing layer from potential damage.
- Proven Strength: The SubDrain™ system is engineered and tested to meet a D400 load rating, ensuring it will not fail or deform under vehicular loads, making it a safe and reliable choice for critical infrastructure.
The Result
By implementing the Eccles SubDrain™ system, the Keel Crossing is equipped with a high-performance, specialist drainage solution. The system provides total confidence that sub-surface water will be managed effectively, showcasing SubDrain™ as a robust and essential component for modern bridge construction.
