The challenge
The Laheq Island Crossing is part of the Red Sea Global development. It is a coastal road and bridge linking the mainland to Laheq Island. The bridge spans tidal and splash zones, exposing the concrete to seawater, high humidity and high application temperatures. The concrete surfaces also had defects and irregularities. The protection system had to resist CO2 diffusion, control water vapour, reduce chloride penetration and bridge static cracks. Fire performance compliance and tolerance of surface irregularities were also required.
The DCP solution
DCP set out two systems. For areas not directly exposed to splash or tides, surfaces were primed with Repcoat Primer, a silane/siloxane hydrophobic primer that penetrates the concrete and reduces water and chloride ingress while letting water vapour escape. A top coat of Repcoat then gave a protective film that resists carbonation and weathering. For tidal and splash zones, concrete defects were first repaired with Quickmast 341, a high-strength, solvent-free epoxy repair paste. The surfaces were then coated with Strongcoat EPU100, a hybrid epoxy polyurethane coating. It gives adhesion, impermeability and resistance to chemicals, abrasion, algae, bacteria and UV, for constant wetting, drying and salt crystallisation.
DCP products used
How it was applied
- Normal exposure areas: apply Repcoat Primer to the concrete.
- Normal exposure areas: apply a top coat of Repcoat (171,000 m²).
- Tidal and splash zones: repair blowholes, cracks and irregularities with Quickmast 341.
- Tidal and splash zones: coat with Strongcoat EPU100 (36,000 m²).
The result
The system was applied across 171,000 m² of normal exposure surfaces and 36,000 m² of tidal and splash zones, giving the durability, adhesion and protection needed for the coastal conditions.
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