Case Study: Load Testing of Gate Hinges

Project:

A Prominent Dwelling, London
Wrought iron gates damaged by traffic

Task:

With apparent malicious intent, a driver crashed his car into one of the large, heavy and highly decorative gates of a London Palace.

In preparation for re-hanging of the gate, it was required that one of the substantial hinge brackets was mechanically load tested in situ to assess the security of its embedment in the supporting stone pier.

Report:

This unique situation required the design and fabrication of a custom-built test rig that would impose, in turn, controlled lateral and axial loads to the bracket, which was some three metres above ground level.

During all phases of loading, any movement of the bracket relative to the pier was measured to an accuracy of one-hundredth of a millimetre.

The tests were completed within one day and we understand the gate was re-hung and continues in service.