A new attraction said to be the biggest, ‘most intense’ ride to be built at Alton Towers is due to be unveiled later this year. The rollercoaster, called The Smiler, is under construction with the help of Kiwa CMT Testing

Under the instruction of the

civil engineer and groundwork

contractor TG Cruse

Groundworks, Kiwa CMT Testing has

been active sampling and testing

concrete used for the bases that will

carry the new £18 million attraction.

Due to open this May, the 52mph

rollercoaster features a highest drop of

98ft. Kiwa CMT Testing’s involvement

is so critical because, as a respected

materials testing laboratory with over 35

years of experience, it must ensure that,

once in place, the mix will withstand the

many stresses that will occur during the

ride’s lifetime.

Kiwa CMT offers a service of concrete

test cube collecting – or its preferred

service of concrete test cube making.

As fresh concrete is delivered on-site,

periodic samples are taken through

the distribution of the concrete load. A

slump test is performed to determine

the workability of the concrete sample.

Test cubes are compacted and returned

to Kiwa’s UKAS-accredited laboratory

in Derby. After overnight setting, the

samples are then cured to BS EN 12390-

2:2009. The density and compressive

strengths are tested as requested to BS

EN 12390-7:2009 and BS EB 12390-

1:2000 respectively, and reported in

accordance with BS EN 12390-3:2009.

For each 1% loss of compaction,

5-10% of potential strength is lost.

Correct and early curing is critical, as

much as 50% of 7-day strength and

10% of 28-day strength may be lost by

incorrect procedure.

You can contact Kiwa CMT Testing on

01332 383333 or email cmtenquiries@

kiwa.co.uk.

FeAture: CoMPAny

34 | April 2013

Concrete testing reaches new heights on Alton Towers ride