University of Sussex to replace crumbling concrete
The University of Sussex has been given permission to replace crumbling concrete in a Grade II listed building on its Falmer campus.
Brighton & Hove City Council has granted listed building consent to replace the Raac (reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete) in Arts Building A, which also suffers from other problems including leaks.
The university commissioned a survey of 27 buildings three years ago and found Raac in seven of them.
The university intends to remove the concrete panels from the first-floor office, corridors and balcony and replace them with a new timber floor, glazed panel and zinc roof to the balcony.
The Falmer campus includes several Brutalist concrete buildings designed by the architect Sir Basil Spence and constructed in the 1960s and 70s.
The use of Raac was widespread at the time because it made concrete panels lighter, but it only has a 30-year lifespan, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.
In a report to the council, the university said the concrete had deteriorated due to "continuous exposure to moisture".
"This results in leaching of its structure, cracking and loss of structural integrity," it added.
"The Raac planks are past the end of their viable life and pose a risk of brittle failure when traversed."
The university is replacing Raac across the campus, with the first phase having started in April 2024 at Bramber House.
Follow BBC Sussex on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.
University of Sussex fined £585k in transgender free speech row
University of Sussex aims to cut hundreds of jobs
University of Sussex support staff to go on strike
What is RAAC concrete and why is it a safety risk?
University of Sussex
Brighton & Hove City Council
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Buzz Feed
an hour ago
- Buzz Feed
Superstitious People Reveal Their Wildest Beliefs
I must say, I have a few superstitions ingrained in me. Don't we all? I hesitate to toast with a glass of water or share my wish when I blow out birthday candles. And even though my personal ones are pretty tame, I always LOVE to hear about the strange things people believe and how they rationalize them into their everyday life. So when Reddit user Responsible_Idea8766 asked, "What superstition do you absolutely believe in?" I HAD to dive in and share them with you all. Hats on beds causing death. Debit card positioning. Shoe order. Strange full moon coincidences. Childhood weather affects who you are. The name Pat. Iron keys. The planet Mercury has social power. Putting tools away early. Untucked limbs. Not trusting the 'save' button. The tech support paradox. Jinxing work. Knocking on wood. Things happen for a reason. Lucky and unlucky numbers. Deja vu. Sharing wishes. Waves of good and bad things. Picking up coins. Throwing salt. I have a few weird ones, too – ones I can't reason out. For instance, I don't put my purse on the ground because I believe it shows that I don't respect money, causing the universe to withhold any surpluses that could come my way. Or that Friday the 13th causes bad juju...I can't tell you why. In the comment, tell me the WEIRDEST superstitions you believe in or know someone who does. It's an itch I need to keep scratching. And make sure you follow BuzzFeed Canada on TikTok and Instagram for more!
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Yahoo
Florence finally to be rid of notorious 60-metre crane after two decades
A giant crane that has blighted the skyline of Florence for almost 20 years is to finally be removed. The controversial structure, described as 'a metal monster', has stood in the centre of the Tuscan capital since 2006, when it was installed in a square opposite the Uffizi Galleries – famous for sublime artworks of the Italian renaissance – and tasked with doing the heavy lifting of materials during the initial phase of the museum's ongoing expansion. At more than 60 metres tall and visible from miles away, the crane was used less and less as the construction works dragged on, but there it remained despite numerous attempts to have it removed over its incongruity with the Florence landscape. Over time, the crane not only became a target of mockery, with an Instagram account set up for the purpose, but also the ultimate symbol of Italy's notoriously sluggish bureaucracy. The main things holding back the crane's removal have been the huge cost and the permissions required from the various levels of authority. But after some of the city's entrepreneurs responded to an appeal by the Uffizi's exasperated director, Simone Verde, and clubbed together to cover the bill, the dismantling of the crane will finally begin on 16 June, culminating in a celebration on the terrace of the galleries' Loggia dei Lanzi on 21 June. Such is the importance of the occasion, the event will also be attended by Italy's culture minister, Alessandro Giuli. 'Florence has been waiting for this moment for a long time,' said Verde. 'The metal monster is being removed and Florence's dazzling beauty can finally return intact and unviolated.' Verde added that the 'havoc' caused by the crane had been weighing on the city for far too long, and that he hoped the momentous occasion would mark the beginning of the end of 'this cursed construction site'. Part of the total €180,000 (£152,000) cost will also be used to replace the crane with a less invasive and more sustainable hoist, allowing the works to finally be completed without sullying the city's aesthetics. 'This operation confirms that good administration can triumph despite everything,' said Verde.
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Yahoo
Upstate city prepares for largest sewer project since 1980s: Replacing aging clay pipes
Easley Combined Utilities is planning a multi-phase sewer project with construction set to begin in late summer 2026. The project will address the Brushy Creek, 18 Mile Creek, and Middle Branch sewer interceptors. Easley Combined Utilities has developed its wastewater master plan, which involves key stakeholders, including the City of Easley, Pickens County, East Carolina University (ECU), and community representatives. The plan outlines long-term objectives and strategies for managing and improving wastewater infrastructure in Easley. The multi-phase sewer project will focus on replacing aging clay pipes to mitigate infiltration and inflow problems and increase capacity to handle wet weather events. Given Easley's current population of 28,620 residents and its rapid annual growth rate of 4.06%, it is crucial that wastewater infrastructure keeps pace with this expansion, according to officials. The sewer interceptor project plans include: Reduction of I&I (infiltration & inflow) from old, leaking clay pipes. Increased capacity to handle wet weather events. No addition of new service areas. No new service areas are included in the design as the focus is on maintaining and improving existing infrastructure. Tyler Morgan, operations engineer for Easley Combined Utilities, said this is the most significant sewer project the city has embarked on since the 1980s. "While this is a very exciting endeavor, we also want to ensure we communicate clearly with the community to make this the best possible experience for everyone involved, from project kickoff to final construction," he said. According to a press release, Easley Combined Utilities will share information about the process and next steps via their social media channels (primarily Facebook and Instagram), a quarterly digital newsletter, and their website. A designated meeting for property owners and the public is planned for early fall 2025. For questions or concerns regarding the project, contact Tyler Morgan at 864-644-8169 or tmorgan@ According to a press release, the project involves associated pipes with diameters ranging from 16 to 36 inches, requiring a large construction area. Easley Combined Utilities will use its existing easements where feasible. However, it will also seek approximately 70 additional construction and/or permanent easements from property owners. Impacted property owners will be contacted starting in November 2025 to discuss easement requirements. Design contract approval: May 2025 Begin contract easement process: November 2025 Construction begins: Late summer 2026 Funding for the project will be provided through a state revolving loan fund. According to a press release, the sewer revolving fund program provides low-interest loans specifically for the repair and improvement of water and wastewater plants and distribution systems, such as those managed by ECU. Travis Rose covers Anderson County for the Independent Mail. Reach him via email at trose@ This article originally appeared on Greenville News: What to know about Easley's largest sewer project since 1980s
