Mechanical Engineering, bridge bearings, structural engineering Specialists In Structural Movement Control
Mechanical Engineers Specialising In Structural Movement Control
Supplied: Replacement works for supply, manufacture and installation of bridge bearings, expansion joint, and new bridge deck and bearing shelf drainage
Burnham Motorway Link Bridge
Built in the mid 70’s, Burnham motorway link bridge, accessible via the M5 motorway, is located over the railway line on the B3140 in Edithmead heading towards Burnham-On-Sea.
Dyer and Butler, on behalf of Somerset County Council, initially commissioned Ekspan to carry out a site inspection and the findings revealed condition of the existing rocker bearings to be substantially worn and showed evidence of considerable water leakage on the bearing shelf. The existing expansion joint on the West Abutment also showed extensive wear and tear, which Ekspan consequently fully replaced.
Job Brief
Background Information
Project Team
Client: Somerset County Council
Main Contractor Dyer & Butler Ltd
Designers: Parsons Brinkerhoff
Main Sub-Contractor: Ekspan Ltd
Start Date: February 2013
Completion Date: March 2013
The scope of works on the West Abutment of the B3140 Burnham motorway link bridge was carried out in two phases.
The first phase included installation of jacking stiffeners to the steel bridge beams; implementation of bridge jacking and lifting steel beams free of the existing mechanical rocker bearings and replacement with elastomeric bearings; bearing removal by hydro-demolition; hydro-demolition of bearing shelf and installation of Ekspan drainage channels.
Phase two involved removal and installation of EMR80 expansion joint to suit traffic management and road closures organised by Dyer & Butler.
The 6 week time scale given to complete all works was further restricted due to the Easter holidays and to accommodate Network Rail possession, but Ekspan successfully managed to complete the project 1 week ahead of the deadline.
Ekspan's Solution
Jacking equipment installed in preparation of lifting the structure
New elastomeric bearings installed, bridge
structure de-jacked onto new bearings
New elastomeric bearings installed, jacking system ready for de-jacking structure onto new elastomeric bearings