Mechanical Engineering, bridge bearings, structural engineering Specialists In Structural Movement Control
Mechanical Engineers Specialising In Structural Movement Control
Supplied: WSG480 Expansion joints
K series Pot Bearings
The Boyne Bridge
The Boyne Valley is one of Irelands historically significant sites with many ancient monuments being only a few kilometers from the site. During the Battle of the Boyne in 1690 the three main Williamite crossings took place adjacent to where the bridge is now located. Because of these heritage issues it was imperative that the bridge fitted in harmony with its surroundings.
The Boyne Bridge is located approximately 3km west of Drogheda on the Gormanston to Monasterboice section of the M1 motorway. The bridge is the largest single project in Ireland in recent decades of its kind. The bridge itself has an overall length of 370 metres with spans of 6 spans the longest being 170.0 metres in length. The overall deck width is 35 metres. The overall height of the Pylon is 95 metres.
Job Brief
Background Information
Project Team
Client: Meath County Council
Consulting Engineers: Northconsult
Main Contractor: Siac Cleveland J.V
Start Date: 2001
Completion Date: June 2003
Bearings
Ekspan Ltd supplied a total of 9 steel pot bearings to the project. All of the bearings are able to accommodate a high vertical load, the largest bearing was able to accommodate a load of 1600 tonnes. The Free and Guided bearings were supplied with oversized top plates to accommodate the large movements of the bridge (+/- 400mm movement). All of the bearings that we manufactured had the following features, welded mirror polished stainless steel sliding surfaces,
dimpled and greased PTFE, 2 brass ring sets and recessed elastomers. These features enhance the life and quality of the bearing are included as standard for all of our Pot bearings.
Ekspansion Joints
The expansion joints that we supplied to the project were Ekspan Ltd Type WSG480. In common with all Ekspan Ltd expansion control systems the joint is watertight. Including 6 seal elements the joint will accommodate an overall total movement of 480mm. To enhance the quality and durability of the expansion joints they were hot dip galvanized, this is the first expansion joint of its kind to be hot dip galvanized anywhere in the world. Following the hot dip galvanizing, the joints were coated with a standard highways specification paint system. The design life for the joints is 40 years and Ekspan Ltd. has issued a warranty on the joints for 10 years and recommendations for ongoing maintenance with the option for after sales service.
Ekspan's Solution