Using Timber Mats for Bridges and Crossings

Using timber mats during works to create bridges and crossings has several different benefits.

Timber mats have a variety of different uses

Both when you need to create temporary access roads or walkways and when you are in the process of building more permanent bridges and crossings, timber mats provide a strong and durable surface. They can be used to create a flat surface on uneven ground, create a safe crossing over muddy, slippery or waterlogged terrain to create access for vehicles and construction traffic or provide a solid and stable base for plant machinery to work from.

Work on any ground conditions

Cranes and other construction plant need a strong and safe platform to work from however often the ground conditions are far from ideal as work begins on bridges and crossings. Timber mats overcome this problem by creating a barrier above difficult terrain that is stable, flat and strong enough to take the load of even the heaviest construction vehicles and machinery.

Birketts’ tropical hardwood timber mats are especially durable and resistant to wear and tear. They are sourced from hardwood in Africa and South America, with the main timber species being Ekki, Mora, Cumaru and Dabema, all of which have the necessary properties for producing hardwearing mats that can cope with the harshest of conditions. Their hardness, interlocked grain and elasticity make them ideal for use in creating durable and long lasting timber mats.

The African timber species used to create Ekki mats is especially strong, with the other hardwoods from Guyana also being particularly suitable for difficult conditions. Their high density allows them to sink and stay at the bottom when used in water, so they are ideal for use when a strong working base is required underwater. They are also perfectly suited to environments with very awkward ground conditions such as swamps, marshes, wetlands and tidal locations.

Durability of Timber Mats

Works involving bridges and crossings often last for several years and so durability is of paramount importance. Tropical hardwood timber mats have excellent durability and can last for up to two decades. For shorter term projects this also means that they can be reused over and over again, which makes them an excellent investment when you frequently need to create safe access, crossings and stable working bases for your projects in a variety of conditions.

Ground protection
As bridges and crossings are often laid in areas where the surrounding landscape needs to be conserved, laying down timber mats during the works simultaneously protects the ground and any underground services from damage, providing a shield against ground churn, disintegration and any cross contamination. This helps to conserve the environment as well as decreasing the risk of any claims for compensation or costs to reinstate services or landscape.

Birketts’ timber mats for bridges and crossings
Birketts offers several options to suit the type of project you are involved in. As well as supplying timber mats for purchase, we also offer a buy back option as well as hiring timber mats out. If you are not sure which is best for your needs, why not give us a call? We will be happy to offer advice from our team of experts to ensure you make the right decision.