Mechanical Engineering, bridge bearings, structural engineering Specialists In Structural Movement Control
Mechanical Engineers Specialising In Structural Movement Control
Supplied: Manufacture and replacement of bascule cast resting pad.
Tower Bridge - London
Tower Bridge, one of the most iconic landmarks of London, is a combined bascule and suspension bridge in London, over the River Thames. Two massive piers, containing over 70,000 tons of concrete, sunk into the river bed support the construction and over 11,000 tons of steel provide the framework for the Towers and Walkways. The bascules are operated by hydraulics powered by oil and electricity to raise the bridge to their maximum angle of 86 degrees.
Tower Bridge, since its completion in 1894, continues today to accommodate the densely populated pedestrian and vehicular traffic. City of London Corporation maintains the integrity of the historic structure assessed through commissioned routine inspections and renovation works.
A damaged resting pad was identified by Faber Maunsell during a recent maintenance closure of the bascule. The pad in question was attached to the bascule girder and when the bridge was open to traffic it sat on a bearing block on the pier. The damaged resting pad was on the southern bascule on the most westerly girder.
Job Brief
Background Information
Project Team
Client: City of London
Engineers: Faber Maunsell
Main Contractor: Ekspan
Start Date: 2008 - 1 year planning
Completion Date: March 2009
Ekspan was commissioned by Faber Maunsell to replace the damaged cast resting pad and manufacture 2 spares.
The project involved the removal of a cast resting pad on the South Bascule Bridge which was identified with a cracked during a routine inspection. In order to gain access to the resting pad a small cantilevered scaffold had to be installed on the face of the south west abutment. Access to install and dismantle the scaffold was carried out by use of waterborne craft and plant.
The removal and installation work was successful, given the potentially difficult restraints and very tight time scale Ekspan had to work to (between the hours 5am - 3pm on a Sunday) in order to minimize disruption to the heart of the Capital.
Ekspan's Solution
