Mechanical Engineering, bridge bearings, structural engineering Specialists In Structural Movement Control
Mechanical Engineers Specialising In Structural Movement Control
Inspection of main suspension cables and repair works
Tamar Bridge - Cable Inspections & Maintenance
The Tamar Suspension Bridge, completed in 1961, carries the A38 over the River Tamar between Plymouth in Devon and Saltash in Cornwall, carrying trunk road traffic starting and finishing at each end of the bridge.
The bridge spans 335 metres, and operates 5 lanes of traffic supporting movement of 40,000 vehicles per day. It forms a vital link in both the strategic road network in the South West, and as a route between the residential towns and villages of South East Cornwall, and the City of Plymouth.
As part of the national Bridge Assessment and Strengthening Programme, Cornwall County Council commissioned Ekspan to carry out inspection and maintenance work on the Tamar Bridge.
Job Brief
Background Information
Project Team
Client: Cornwall County Council
Consulting Engineers: Faber Maunsell Ltd
Main Contractor: Ekspan Ltd
Start Date: 26 August 2008
Completion Date: 2008
Inspection & Maintenance
Ekspan carried out, over a period of approximately eight weeks, an internal inspection of the main suspension cables on 2 bays of the Tamar Bridge. The main cables are constructed from 31 locked coil wire ropes, each 60mm in diameter. The overall diameter of the main cable is approximately 380mm. This was essential inspection work that determined the general condition of the cables.
Much of the inspection work was undertaken from scaffold access platforms erected on the south side of the structure at mid-span and on the Saltash side span - fully sheeted off to provide an enclosed habitat. Two sections of cable were opened up using timber wedges, and the locked coil wire ropes wedged open to allow inspection within the cable. Grease was inserted between cables before closing and metal-coated prior to re-wrapping of the main cable using a specific designed wrapping machine. On completion of wrapping, the wrapping wire was surface-protected with Noxyde paints.
Ekspan was congratulated by all parties involved (Tamar Bridge, Faber Maunsell and Cornish County Council) for completing the works on the programme successfully, and it in a professional manner.
Ekspan's Solution