Interbloc compliance with the NZ Bridge Manual

A summary of the primary compliance mechanism for Interbloc with the NZ Bridge Manual.

The NZ Bridge manual is issued by NZTA Waka Kotahi and sets out the criteria for the design and evaluation of bridges, culverts, stock underpasses and subways, the design of earthworks and retaining structures. Other local and central government agencies may also require compliance with the bridge manual.

Concrete Curing:

For non-MSE retaining structures using Interbloc, the primary requirement for compliance with the bridge manual are sections related to the curing of concrete. The relevant excerpts are below;

Interbloc is cured for a minimum of 14 days, and usually 28 days, before dispatch. As such in most cases Interbloc is compliant with the relevant clauses of the Bridge Manual. Where an engineer has a specific curing requirement, this can be notified to Envirocon in advance of an order being placed and Envirocon can accommodate these requirements.

Extensible Reinforcement:

 Interbloc, and especially Envirocon's Interbloc+ product, have georgid cast into the block during manufacturing to facilitate the building of mechanically stabilised earth retaining wall designs for high load, long life retaining structures.

Extensible reinforcement is generally taken to refer to geogrids MSE wall designs (as opposed to inextensible reinforcement which refers to steel). It is a second part of the bridge manualwhich Interbloc may need to comply with. In these cases the following sections apply;