Mechanical Engineering, bridge bearings, structural engineering Specialists In Structural Movement Control
Mechanical Engineers Specialising In Structural Movement Control
Supplied: 60 Pot Bearings
East London Line Enabling Works
The East London Line was opened around 1869 and was originally known as the East London Railway, it runs under the Thames through the Thames Tunnel, which is the oldest part of the Undergrounds infrastructure. The line was originally operated by six different railway companies (later reduced to two) but became part of the London Underground in 1933 and came into public ownership in 1948.
Taylor Woodrow was awarded the contract to upgrade or replace 21 structures along the East London Line. This scheme was issued to Taylor Woodrow once it was announced that the UK would be hosting the 2012 Olympics.
Job Brief
Background Information
Project Team
Client: TFL (Transport for London)
Main Contractor: Taylor Woodrow
Consultant Engineer: Faber Maunsell
Start Date: 2005
Completion Date: 2007
Ekspan worked closely with the consultant engineers at Faber Maunsell in order to provide a complete design for each bearing on the various new structures. In total Ekspan supplied over 60 bearings to the project spread over 10 structures.
The structures incorporating Ekspan Bearings are as follows:
Pearson Street, Cremer Street, Arbutus Street, Union Walk 2, Lee Street, How Street, Middleton Road Bridge, Haggerston Street, Dunston street and the competition winning Regents Canal Bridge (as picture shown above).
Most of the bearings were of standard design however some of the bearings at Arbutus Street and Pearson Street required a complicated bespoke uplift bearing design. Ekspan successfully carried out the supply contract to all of the structures within the manufacture period specified.
All of the bearings supplied were manufactured in the UK by Ekspan Ltd and incorporated the following quality enhancements:
1. Tig Welded mirror polished stainless steel mating sliding surfaces.
2. Dimpled and greased Virgin PTFE
3. 2 Brass ring sets which sit on a recessed natural rubber pad.
These features enhance the bearing life and reduce the risk of premature replacement being required. These quality features are included as standard on all Ekspan Ltd Pot type bearings.
Ekspan's Involvement