Location: Belfast, Northern Ireland
The Belfast Building Dock at Harland & Wolff is a major reinforced concrete maritime structure forming part of a historically significant industrial asset. McFarland Consulting Ltd were appointed to undertake inspections and testing of the reinforced concrete dock elevations to assess condition and inform long-term remediation planning.
MCL carried out detailed inspections and targeted testing of the dock elevations to evaluate concrete condition, durability performance and the extent of deterioration affecting the structure. The investigations were undertaken with consideration of the aggressive marine environment and the operational constraints associated with a working dock facility.
The findings were collated into a comprehensive condition assessment report, with individual sections of the dock elevations assigned traffic-light ratings to clearly communicate condition, risk and priority for intervention. This approach enabled the Client to readily identify areas requiring immediate attention versus those suitable for longer-term monitoring.
Based on the assessment outcomes, MCL designed a cathodic protection system to provide long-term corrosion control to the reinforced concrete elements. The proposed remediation strategy supports the continued use of the dock while protecting the structure against further deterioration, extending service life and reducing future maintenance risk.