In civil engineering, sustainability is no longer a mere option but a necessity. Freyssinet Australia has been at the forefront of this transformative journey, pioneering specialised civil engineering techniques that maximise sustainable construction. In this comprehensive blog, we will explore the innovative approaches Freyssinet Australia employs to support sustainability in construction and how we are setting new standards in the industry.

Introduction to Freyssinet Australia

Freyssinet Australia is a diverse contractor that offers creative solutions for specialised engineering and remediation projects, from initial design to implementation. 

Although the company has had a presence in the country through license holders since 1953, the current iteration of Freyssinet was established in 1983 when Freyssinet International, a global network based in France, acquired a 50% stake in the existing Austress PCS. By 2006, Freyssinet owned the organisation outright.

In 2009, the company's name was changed to Freyssinet following a merger with Soletanche Bachy and the global launch of a new business image and logo. Even during the period when Freyssinet's Australian operations were entirely managed through its licensee, the company remained deeply involved in the country's market.

In the late 1950s, Eugene Freyssinet, the company's founder, was invited as a consultant for the construction of the Gladesville Bridge in Sydney, which was then the largest concrete arch bridge in the world. Freyssinet supplied the bridge joints and flat jacks for this project. Today, Freyssinet has established a strong national presence with offices in New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, Western Australia, and New Zealand.

Innovative Techniques for Sustainable Construction

Freyssinet Australia employs various cutting-edge techniques designed to enhance the sustainability of construction projects, offering integrated building-strengthening techniques and construction and structural repair solutions.

Specialist Civil Engineering

Freyssinet offers innovative civil engineering solutions that enhance the stability and sustainability of foundations and earth structures.

Our projects primarily consist of the following:

• Bridge Construction
• Tunnels
• Stadiums
• Buildings
• Dams
• Industrial and Energy Generation Facilities
• Silos
• Marine Structures
• Oil and Gas Storage
• Pipelines
• Water Storage
• Historic Facade

Remedial Engineering

Using state-of-the-art repair techniques, Freyssinet Australia ensures that remedial work is effective and sustainable. These techniques protect against further damage and reduce the need for complete replacements.

Our projects mainly consist of the following:

• Residential, commercial, retail, stadiums, facades and heritage.
• Ultra-High-Performance Reinforced Fibre Concrete (UHPFRC/UHPC)
• Gas and coal-fired power stations and cooling towers.
• Silos and tanks.
• Road, rail and pedestrian bridges, culverts and tunnels.
• Jetties, docks, wharves and dolphins.
• Wharves, pipelines and chimneys.
• Dams, reservoirs, water towers, treatment plants, aqueducts and pipelines.
• Wind turbines.

Building Post-Tensioning

Freyssinet Australia has developed an optimised solution for every application:

• C range: high-strength prestressing for internal and external post-tensioning of civil structures.
• S range: slab prestressing for slab on ground and suspended slab.
• R range: for external strengthening of structures.
• X range: for external strengthening of circular structures.
• Freyssibar: the prestressing bar for civil works.

Concrete Repair

Freyssinet Australia provides a complete solution for the repair of building facades, bridges, car parks, overpasses, silos, wharves, and marine and industrial structures. Services supplied for reinforced concrete include:

• Supply and erection of all access scaffolding and platforms, including custom-designed systems.
• Concrete removal by hydro demolition.
• Repair of spalling or damaged areas of concrete.
• Supply and installation of additional strengthening.
• Shotcrete.
• Application of special hydraulic mortars.
• Repair and/or replacement of joint sealants.
• Pinning systems for render and brickwork.
• Protective and architectural coatings (PCCP4 accredited).
• Stone and brick repairs, replacement and repointing.

We have developed considerable expertise in the repair and restoration of heritage structures. We offer a range of services in this field:

• Brickwork – structural repairs, pinning, repointing.
• Cleaning – using a range of methods for all materials, including pressure washing, patented dry and wet process and powder cleaning.
• Render repairs, replacement and new concrete work, including heritage features.
• Timber windows – repair or replacement of heritage windows.
• Lead paint management (PCCP5 accredited).
• Copper and lead repairs and new installation.

Design Capabilities

Freyssinet Australia offers a cutting-edge post-tensioning system that combines performance and durability. Our technical services design anchors, jacks and installation equipment and operate a laboratory and test centre for the formulation of grouts.

Our type multi and mono-strand post-tensioning anchors have been proven in structures worldwide following the most stringent requirements:

• Commercial buildings.
• Residential buildings.

Geotechnical Engineering

Conscious of market trends, Freyssinet Australia expanded its geotechnical engineering range over the past few years:

• Ground anchors using strands or stress bars.
• Micropiles.
• Soil nails and rock bolts.
• Port tie rods.

Blasting And Painting

Freyssinet Australia specialises in blasting and painting steel products and has qualified NACE Inspectors. Our applicators are experienced in coatings and linings used in oil and gas, mining, marine, petrol chemicals, power stations, water storage reservoirs, water tanks, pipelines, sewage treatment plants, cranes, infrastructure, structural steel industries and heritage structures.

Our services include:

• Surface preparation and cleaning of surfaces prior to application of coatings and linings.
• Provision of abrasive blasting on walls and floors.
• Removal and management of hazardous paint, such as asbestos and lead.
• Application of high-performance anti-corrosion industrial coatings.

We have experience with the following products:

• Solvent-free epoxy
• Zinc-rich
• Plural component coatings
• Polyurethane
• Polyester
• Vinyl ester
• Acrylics
• Liquid rubber sealing

Cathodic Protection

Cathodic protection solutions can be used to control the progression of corrosion in reinforced concrete structures by:

• Preserving a protective environment around the reinforcement.
• Stopping the corrosion initiation process in the reinforcement.
• Preventing the progression of corrosion in the long term after repairing the structural damage it caused.

Cathodic protection solutions work on the area surrounding the steel or on the reinforcements themselves by:

• Treating the facing to slow down or stop the penetration of pollutants before they reach the reinforcement.
• Depolluting the coating to restore the protective environment around the reinforcement.
• Protecting the reinforcement with an electrochemical process to stop the corrosion.

Freyssinet Australia, as a principal contractor, undertakes condition assessment, design, supply and installation of the cathodic protection system.

We can design, supply and install Impressed Current Cathodic Protection (ICCP), hybrid or galvanic systems.

Heavy Lifting & Handling Solutions

Lifting and handling are complex operations that often influence the successful completion of a project. Therefore, Freyssinet Australia has developed a range of specific lifting and handling equipment with real-time control and precision, enabling the most stringent requirements to be met in terms of managing reactions and movements at the jacking points.

Our offerings include:

• Strand lifting using strand jacks.
• Lifting and jacking structures using our Megasteel® tower system.
• Structure handling, including launching, sliding and rotation.
• Structure sliding, including Autoripage®, Autofoncage® and Air Pad Sliding.

Cable-Stayed Structure

Freyssinet Australia’s stay cables are benchmarks in fatigue resistance, corrosion protection, inspection ease, and replacement ease.

We have two types of stay cables:

• H1000 stay cables for small structures (up to 19 strands).
• HD stay cables for long-span structures (over 169 strands).

Structural Accessories

Structural accessories are systems that link together two structures and determine the relative movements and forces that each structure transmits to each other under the influence of external stresses.

Freyssinet designs, manufactures, and supplies a wide range of accessories, which include:

• Elastomeric bearings.
• Mechanical bearings (pot bearings, spherical bearings and special bearings).
• Expansion joints.
• Earthquake/Dynamic protection devices.
• Flat jacks.

The Future of Sustainable Construction with Freyssinet Australia

As the construction industry continues to evolve, Freyssinet Australia remains at the forefront of sustainable innovation. Their ongoing research and development efforts focus on discovering new materials, refining construction techniques, and enhancing sustainability practices.

We employ over 450 professionals, including engineers and skilled tradespeople, dedicated to delivering technical excellence and exceptional client service.

Moreover, we are committed to safety, quality, and environmental standards and are certified to ISO 9001, AS/NZ 4801, and ISO 14001. We ensure the best possible project outcomes while prioritising the well-being of our personnel and the environment.

Pioneering a Sustainable Future

Freyssinet Australia is setting new benchmarks in the industry. By embracing innovation, prioritising environmental responsibility, and fostering community engagement, we construct resilient infrastructure and pave the way for a sustainable future.

Our commitment to sustainability is evident in every project we undertake, from large-scale transport systems to critical infrastructure rehabilitation. As we continue to push the boundaries of what is possible in sustainable construction, Freyssinet Australia aims to exemplify the transformative power of engineering in creating a better, more sustainable world.

Those interested in learning more about Freyssinet Australia's work or collaborating on future projects can contact their team of experts or visit their business page by clicking the link below. 

Together, we can build a sustainable tomorrow, one project at a time.