Strengthen Existing T-Beam Bridge Superstructure

Context

This is an inner-city T-beam superstructure bridge, providing an interchange between motorway A42 and motorway A59. Motorway A42 is an important transportation route for the region, so the project had to be done in a way to minimize impact on traffic. It also partially overpasses an industrial area, making access difficult.

Scope

• Delivery, installation, and stressing of tendons in an urban environment

• Provide technical support

Solution

Improving and increasing the strength of this heavily-trafficked bridge required 16 SUSPA-Wire EX 66 tendons running in the longitudinal direction of the bridge. The tendons ranged from 282 – 322 meters including moveable couplers. Ten SUSPA-Wire EX 48 tendons with individual lengths of 31 – 80 meters were also used. An additional 238 DYWIDAG bar tendons were installed intransversal direction of the bridge for the anchoring blocks required by the longitudinal tendons.

Because the bridge is an important transportation route, with traffic running both on and below it, minimizing the construction’s impact on traffic was critical. As it also runs partially over an industrial area, temporary supports and individual access via aerial work platforms were implemented for easier bridge access. The bridge remained open to traffic during the day; short term closures only occurred overnight for the installation of individual Wire EX tendons.

The project was completed within the estimated timeframe, despite its challenging environment. Close cooperation between all parties, including our long-term partnership with Leonhard Weiss, paved the way for success.