Mechanical Engineering, bridge bearings, structural engineering Specialists In Structural Movement Control
Mechanical Engineers Specialising In Structural Movement Control
Scope: Design, manufacture and replacement of 8 no.
Ekspan WSG multi-element expansion joints.
A472 Fiddler's Elbow Viaduct, Wales -
Multi-element Expansion joint replacement
Fiddler’s Elbow Viaduct carries the A472 over the River Taff linking the A470
Trunk Road at Abercynon Roundabout with the A4054 at Fiddler’s Elbow
Roundabout. The viaduct, one of the region’s busiest road bridges, is one of
the main arterial routes linking the nearby County Boroughs of Merthyr Tydfil,
Rhondda Cynon Taf and Caerphilly.
Surveys and investigations carried out in 2014 identified the need for essential
permanent remedial works on the bridge expansion joints. These joints, with
over thirty years of wear and tear, were now past their useful life and needed
replacing, to safeguard the bridge’s long-term future.
Alun Griffiths Contractors were responsible for undertaking the £2m scheme
of works - part of the Council’s wider investment programme for major
improvements on Highways and Structures, and the Transport Infrastructure.
Job Brief
Background Information
Project Team
Client: Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council
Main Contractor: Alun Griffiths (Contractors) Ltd.
Sub-Contractor: Ekspan
Start Date: August 2016
Completion Date: November 2016
Alun Griffiths Contractors appointed Ekspan to remove the existing expansion
joints and install 8 no. Ekspan WSG multi-element expansion joints - 4 on
the south deck carriageway and 4 on the north deck carriageway. Each joint
(WSG160, WSG880 and WSG800) was 10.6 meters long.
Ekspan completed a survey of the existing joints and deck arrangement to ensure
measurements taken of the joint gaps, levels and slopes matched the as-built
drawings for correct manufacture of the new multi-element expansion joints. The
installation of the joints was undertaken in two phases (4 no. per phase) using 2
teams of Ekspan operatives working simultaneously on 2 no. joints as associated
ground works were carried out by other sub-contractors.
This project involved; design and manufacture of 8 no. multi-element joints; hydrodemolition and lifting to facilitate joint removal; installation of new joints to existing steel structure; and additional re-enforcement and concrete re-instatement.
Precise planning and effective co-ordination throughout were key to successfully
completing this project ahead of schedule with minimum disruption to motorists.
Ekspan's Workscope
Old expansion joint showing excessive wear
Expansion joint lifted into position
New installed multi-element expansion joint