Project Description

Problem
This Hospital has two helicopter pads for emergency services. Both the pads are concrete structures coated with urethane traffic membrane for protection and painted to provide the required markings. The urethane coating was not providing the desired level of durability. The landing helicopters were tearing the coating surface, which made the structure more susceptible to spalling caused by freezing and thawing cycles. The coating needed to be repaired often to protect the structure. The owner was looking for a longer-term solution.

Solution
Restruction Corporation proposed an epoxy overlay system to solve the owner’s problem. The system selected is two layers of low-modulus, low-viscosity epoxy that is seeded with Grade 8 abrasive flint aggregate and has a Mohs hardness of 7.0. The 1/4 –inch thick system will provide the necessary structure protection, increase durability, and lower the maintenance cost. In the second coat, we substituted portions of the flint rock with colored glass to create the required pad markings. This will eliminate the need for the owner to paint the markings annually.

Execution
One of the two pads had to remain open at all times. We were able to complete each of the helicopter pads in four days. The repair was executed as follows:

  • Take helicopter pad out of service
  • Survey and create templates for required markings
  • Remove existing coating
  • Repair damaged concrete
  • Prepare surface for new epoxy overlay by shot blasting
  • Install the first layer at 40 SF/ Gal and broadcast flint rock to refusal
  • Remove excess aggregate and layout markings for the second layer
  • Apply the second layer at 20 SF/ Gal and seed flint rock and colored glass to match required markings
  • Clean up excess aggregate and glass
  • The finished product has been in place for approximately one year and the owner is very satisfied with how well it has held up. If you have an application where our system might be an option, please contact us. We would be happy to work with you and provide a solution.