Bridge Maintenance, Weiwreder Bridge, Weiwerd Netherlands
Weiwerder Bridge is in the village of Weiwerd in the Netherlands and is one of the 1,500 movable bridges across the country. All these moving parts mean that regular maintenance and inspection is carried out to ensure operational safety. When it comes to the maintenance of bridges there are several logistical challenges that need to be overcome, especially is carrying out the process on site.
The Challenge
Our client wanted to replace on site, the concrete bearings that absorb the movement of the road surface. This meant that a section of the bridge needed to be raised so the bearings could be removed, and new ones fitted before the bridge could be lowered again. It was essential to lift the bridge level to avoid causing damage.
The operation needed to be done within the day to avoid disruption to the local area. The bridge is located near a shipyard and several businesses so closing it for a prolonged period wasn’t an option.
The Solution
We provided lock nut cylinders to jack up the bridge allowing the bearings to be loosened and replaced. After an inspection by our technical, expert each hydraulic cylinder was placed underneath the structure to ensure an even lift.
We used synchronised hydraulic jacks that could be controlled from a centralised screen to make sure the lift was even and quick.
Once the concrete bearings had been replaced the bridge was then lowered back into place with minimal deviance from the original placement.
