Structural steelwork contractor Severfield has reached a final settlement over bolt failures on the Cheesegrater tower in London, following a five-year legal battle
In a trading update, Severfield revealed that: “Following extensive negotiations with all stakeholders, we have now agreed a final settlement for the remedial bolt replacement works at Leadenhall, resulting in no further costs for the group.”
In November 2014 two bolts fell from the Cheesegrater tower, with another falling in January 2015. One bolt fell to the ground from the building’s 15th floor, while the other dropped from a lower level, but was caught in the skyscraper’s framework.
Losing the bolts did not affect the building’s structural integrity.
However, the falling fragments prompted an investigation by main contractor Laing O’Rourke and Arup, the structural engineer. A number of bolts were replaced in addition to the three that failed.
The investigation into what caused the bolts to fall from the Cheesegrater found they had fractured because of a process called “hydrogen embrittlement”. This occurs when hydrogen atoms diffuse into a substance and combine to create internal pressure.
Severfield revealed in its annual results in 2015 that it was likely to incur a £6m bill for remedial work to the bolts following the investigations.
The trading update also revealed: “The group will announce its financial results for the year ended 31 March 2019 on Wednesday 19 June 2019.”
