INNOVATIVE REPAIR SOLUTION FOR YOUR INSTALLATIONS
COMPOSITE REPAIR
SOLUTION FOR
STRUCTURE
REINFORCEMENT
Fig. 1 - View of the defected beam
Fig. 2 - View of the beam after disbursement
Fig. 3 - Metal inserts applied
Fig. 4 - Composite wrapping completed
Fig. 5 - Final result with protective coating
DEFECT TYPES Corroded structures
DETAILS HEA catenary supports
LOCATION France, Railway industry
3X SOLUTION REINFORCEKiT® BEAM
OVERVIEW
The objective of the repair performed in July 2021 by 3X ENGINEERING (3X) specialists
was to reinforce 3 catenary supports (HEA beam) damaged by severe corrosion. The
damaged structures are located near a railway line.
SCOPE OF WORK
The repair design was performed using finite element analysis.
Before performing the reinforcement, the 1st step was to proceed to a disbursement of the
concrete base before reinforcing the beams. This procedure was completed by a service
provider.
Then the repair was made by 3X specialists following 4 main steps:
1.SURFACE PREPARATION
The surface preparation was completed using sandblasting to get a good surface
roughness (at least 60-micron surface profile).
2.RESIN AND METAL INSERTS APPLICATION
3X resin was applied at the base of the structure to seal the junction between the concrete
and the beam. Then metal inserts and steel plates (previously designed and manufactured
to fit with the specific geometry of the structure) were installed and fixed using 3X filler and
ratching belts.
3.COMPOSITE WRAPPING REINFORCEMENT
Last step but not least was to wrap the composite reinforcement around the 3 beams.
Six layers of Kevlar® tape impregnated with 3X epoxy resin, for a total repair length of
respectively 125cm, 140cm and 160cm for the higher one, were necessary to reinforce the
structures.
4.IMPACTS AND UV PROTECTION
Each repair was recovered with a specific coating to protect the repair from UV and
impacts.
RESULTS
This project was quite challenging because of the very small space to manage the surface
preparation and REINFORCEKiT® BEAM application. Additionnaly, the structures reinforced
were over 50m-height ! The job was successfully completed at night to avoid stopping traffic.
The structures are now reinforced for 20-year minimum.
To date the 160cm structure reinforcement is the highest ever performed by 3X with
our REINFORCEKiT® BEAM.
info@3xeng.com www.3xeng.com
• TYPE OF DEFECT : CATENARY SUPPORTS SUFFERING FROM 80% OF CORROSION
• LOCATION : FRANCE
• 3X PRODUCT : REINFORCEKiT® BEAM
• CLIENT : SNCF (FRENCH NATIONAL RAILWAY COMPANY)

OVERVIEW

The objective of the repair performed in May 2015 by 3X

ENGINEERING was to reinforce 15 corroded catenary supports
of 50 years old situated on a railway line in the South of
France.

SCOPE OF WORK

- The repair has been designed using modelisation and finite

element simulation.

- First of all, the bases of the structures have been properly

prepared to receive REINFORCEKiT® BEAM product
(vegetation cleaning around the support, water removal and
support drying …)

- The beam reinforcements have been performed following

several steps :

1/ Surface preparation with sandblasting to get a good surface

roughness (60-micron surface profile).
1 2
2/ 3X filler application at the base of the structure for sealing
the junction between concrete and beam.

3/ Metal inserts preparation and application.

4/ Composite reinforcement wrapping using Kevlar® and 3X

specific resin around the base of the structure.

5/ Special coating application to protect the repair against UV

& impacts and reference plate installation for traceability.
3 4
RESULTS

Based on its experience acquired since 2011 in the transport

industry, 3X Engineering has been able to restore the integrity
of all damaged beams without stopping train traffic. This 5
accurate implementation needs to be performed with high-
qualified applicators and top quality products. Since the launch
3X CASE STUDY – 2016-02-001

of this product over a thousand of supports have been

renovated successfully.

For more information about our operations and range of products, please contact us at :
3X Engineering - 9 Avenue Albert II - 98000 Monaco
Phone : +377 92 05 79 81 - Fax : +377 92 05 72 71 - E-mail : info@3xeng.com - www.3xengineering.com