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Tank Matting
January 2007
In issue one of the TIM bulletin we featured an article on “crossing the central reserve” which mentioned a product used by AmeyMouchel to assist the process.
Tank matting, also known as soft ground tiles, are used predominantly to provide a flexible and stable platform to enable vehicles to cross an area of soft ground or a muddy surface without any major difficulties. The tiles feature a lug and slot connection fixing method enabling the tiles to be joined and used on larger surfaces.
With this capability, tank matting has been used by AmeyMouchel for leading traffic across a soft central reservation, to relieve congestion from the parallel carriageway and to assist in the management of the incident.
It has also been used to provide a base for trailer mounted variable message signs (VMS) when positioned on the soft bank of the hard shoulder. On both occasions tank matting has proved to be highly successful.
The specification of each tile is as follows:
- nine kilograms per square metre
- each tile dimensions are 500mm x 500mm x 50mm
- load bearing capacity of 40 tonnes per square metre
Further to this, the tiles are produced from 100% recycled polyethylene making them highly UV and chemical resistant and extremely unlikely to rot. Due to the above dimensions and shape it makes handling, transportation and storage very simple.
Tank matting has performed its function for AmeyMouchel very successfully.
John Bennett, AmeyMouchel Area 10 comments that, “We used Tank Matting on one occasion when the central reservation was hardened but with an exposed drainage channel, we used the tiles to bridge the channel and pass traffic across successfully.
To date they have performed to our needs and without any problems whatsoever. “
With the use of crossover points nationally being fairly minimal it is envisaged likely that following the recent address from Derek Turner, Traffic Operations Director, Highways Agency through the article “Crossing the central reserve.” the usage of tank matting will increase significantly.
Many thanks to:
John Bennett, AmeyMouchel Area 10
