Mechanical Engineering, bridge bearings, structural engineering Specialists In Structural Movement Control
Mechanical Engineers Specialising In Structural Movement Control
Supplied: 1,626 Bearings
Midland Expressway, M6 Toll (Birmingham Northern Relief Road)
Ekspan Ltd. supplied a total of 1,626 bearings for the 55 bridges of the new M6 Toll road linking the M42 to the M6 around the north of Birmingham. In addition to the bearings, Ekspan Ltd. also supplied over 1,200 metres of seal to protect the bearing shelves from water ingress, WSF type expansion joints for the footbridges and inspection services as required. The project was a Design and Build and therefore the design of the bridges was phased over an extended period meaning lead-time of bearings was critical to the project being completed on schedule.
Job Brief
Background Information
Project Team
Client: Midland Expressway Ltd.
Client Consulting Engineer: Babtie
Main Contractor Consulting Engineers: AAJV
Main Contractor: CAMBBA
Steelwork Contractor: Fairfield Mabey
Start Date: June 2001
Completion Date: December 2004
Bearings
Ekspan Ltd. supplied 1,626 bearings to the project. The bearing types utilised on this project varied according to the individual bridge requirements and included standard & special K series pots, laminated elastomeric, PTFE faced laminated elastomeric in conjunction with sliding top plates and uplift pot bearings for the footbridges. To assist with the rapid selection and provision of designs Ekspan Ltd. were granted access to the project web based Integration service that enabled immediate notification of newly available bridge data. This played a significant part in Ekspan Ltd. delivering all bearings to meet the construction schedule.
The bearings supplied incorporated the following features;
1. TIG Welded mirror polished stainless steel mating sliding surfaces.
2. Dimpled and greased PTFE sliding surfaces.
3. 2 brass ring sets and recessed elastomer pads.
These features enhance bearing life and reduce the risk of premature replacement being required. These quality features are included as standard on all Ekspan Ltd. pot bearings.
Ekspansion Joints
Ekspan Ltd. supplied single seal mechanical expansion joints for the footbridges to the project
Seals
Ekspan Ltd. supplied over 1,200 metres of EWS seal to the project. This type of seal alleviates the problems associated with water ingress onto the bearing shelf and assists with bearing longevity.
Ekspan's Solution
General
As part of Ekspan Ltd.s on-going programme of learning an informal presentation was made to project staff to increase awareness of the quality issues relating to the design, supply & installation of bearings, expansion joints and bridge drainage.