Stainless steel cable as essential 'link' in jointless transitions

Constructions in provincial roads and highways increasingly use jointless transitions where the abutment is structurally connected to the deck. Stainless steel tensile cables are an essential link in this. As a specialized wholesaler of lines and stainless steel cables, Carl Stahl provides significant added value for road builders by preparing these stainless steel cables as a ready-to-use product. Completely in accordance with the technical specifications as prescribed by Rijswaterstaat.

Cracks can occur at the junction of the butt plates or floors of a structure with the abutment. Traditionally, joints have been used here, but increasingly jointless transitions are being made. "If the abutment is structurally connected to the deck, an integral structure without joint transitions and overlays is created. This leads to lower maintenance costs and it reduces noise," explained Joost Coster, sales manager at Carl Stahl. "Stainless steel tensile cables are used to connect the butt plates, which lie in front of and behind a structure (concrete structure), to the rest of the concrete structure. In this way, baffle plates are prevented from shifting during subsidence."

Ready-to-use product

Carl Stahl is a specialist in plastic rope, stainless steel cables and cable nets. Both custom-made, in rolls, serial work and single pieces. "We attach great value to providing added value for our customers," says Coster. "All our materials we get delivered in bulk and mostly on rolls. Specifically for jointless transitions, we produce custom stainless steel pull cables in lengths of 3.50 meters in our workshop. According to the Department of Public Works regulations, the cable has a diameter of 22 mm and consists of 1×19 wires twisted around each other. It makes for a pretty stiff "construction" that doesn't bend easily. We then apply a Denso tape in the middle of the cable over a length of 600 mm in a protective plastic shrink sleeve, intended to absorb stresses caused by rotation in the deck. All these preparations result in a complete and ready-to-use product for the road builder."

Carl Stahl is a leading specialized wholesaler at home and abroad. "We are not alone as Carl Stahl Benelux. Our headquarters is located in Germany and has been in existence since 1880. Worldwide we have more than 1,100 colleagues spread over 70 branches, each with their own specialties. And of course our customers in the Benelux benefit from this as well. We have extensive knowledge and expertise of processing stainless steel cables and have a large stock. In addition to stainless steel pull cables, we also supply the infrastructure sector with stainless steel grab lines along quay walls, with or without a plastic coating, cables to prevent resonance at bridges, and stainless steel cable nets as fencing and/or fall protection around infrastructure and parking garages. And here again: for specific interpretations or ideas, we are happy to think along with our clients."