Scope of Work: WOLO is a prime office space located in the bustling heart of Birmingham City Centre, offering Grade A workspaces with modern, eco-friendly designs. The building boasts impressive views of the city through floor-to-ceiling windows and spacious, open-plan layouts. Its central location and high-quality facilities make it an ideal base for businesses looking for a dynamic, accessible working environment.
As part of a major improvement project, the client required new air handling ducts to be installed. Due to head height restrictions, these ducts needed to pass through 23 existing reinforced concrete beams. Given the limited clearance—just millimetres at both the top and bottom of each beam—extreme precision was required when drilling 300mm holes. It was crucial to avoid cutting through any additional reinforcement within the beams, as this could weaken the structure and compromise safety.
The project called for a lightweight yet durable solution to reinforce the beams around the newly drilled openings. Carbon fibre strengthening was selected for its thinness, high tensile strength, and ease of installation. CCUK’s team of skilled technicians meticulously prepared the concrete surfaces surrounding each of the new openings, ensuring an optimal surface for the carbon fibre application.
To distribute and manage the stresses that the drilled openings introduced, the team applied two layers of Fibre wrap, CCUK’s specialised carbon fibre strengthening system. This system was specifically designed to transfer any stress from the cut reinforcements to the surrounding structure, providing additional strength without compromising beam integrity.
The project was completed successfully, with all air handling ducts installed precisely and with the building’s structural integrity fully maintained. The carbon fibre reinforcement solution provided a seamless, effective way to strengthen the beams without adding bulk or compromising ceiling height. The enhanced air handling system now complements WOLO’s modern, eco-friendly facilities, supporting its commitment to sustainability and functionality. The result is a robust, upgraded office environment that is equipped to meet both current needs and future demands.
