“Keyhole surgery” stabilises Denbigh Castle

Phased repairs to Denbigh Castle masonry are required to maintain its present standard and minimise deterioration of the stonework and features. As the Castle is a semi ruin it will obviously suffer from the constant ingress of water and frost which dislodges and causes cracking of the stonework.

 The origins of Denbigh Castle lie in some 200 years of warfare between the Welsh princes and English kings during the 11th and 12th centuries. Denbigh Castle, dates back to 1282 and sits atop a steep rock outcrop at the heart of the Vale of Clwyd in that part of North Wales between the river Conwy and the Dee estuary. Today Cadw maintains Denbigh Castle and the town walls along with Denbigh Friary, St Hilary’s Chapel and Lord Leicester’s Church. 

On this occasion the repair method chosen by DWC / Axis was to stitch the structure using a concealed anchor system. The premier system available is manufactured by Cintec International Ltd based in Newport, South Wales. (www.cintec.co.uk). 

Phil Bowdler, Project Manager & Surveyor from DWC Contractors & Surveyors incorporating Axis Stabilisation commented  “The anchors, consisted of stainless steel bars and cementitious and lime grouts which are perfect for this type of "keyhole surgery" repair so often needed on high profile heritage projects. When completed, it is extremely difficult to see where a repairhas been undertaken”.  

Axis has been involved in many castle, church and other historic structure repairs for almost 20 years. Specifiers have sought out their advice and utilised their skills on many occasions. This phase of repairs to Denbigh Castle is one more successful project to add to an already impressive portfolio.

Author: Malcolm H Thornton Managing Director www.dwcuk.com & www.axisanchors.co.uk

Reinforcing Ilfracombe's Historic Grade 2 Listed Listed Quay Head

Drilled to around 11m depth through the Quay head wall. The holes had stainless steel tie bars drawn through them and tensioned. The inner harbour face was secured using 400mm SS patress plates and the sea face had recessed 150mm plates with masonry plugs to disguise the tie bars.