BBR Network speeds bridge construction
Innovative engineering solution for timely handover
A more efficient layout for tendon couplers, devised by the BBR Network, saved the main contractor precious time in the construction schedule of three bridges in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
The bridges were under construction as part of the high profile Nad Al Sheba Race Course Development which, as well as a race course and stadium, features a dedicated road and bridge network to provide easy access to the venue.
We used the BBR VT CONA CMI system on all three bridges – the longest prestressing tendons on the project measured an impressive 148 m. Tendon couplers were used to subdivide construction into a total of 11 stages.
For one of the bridges, the requirement for tendon couplers to be staggered, to avoid having all couplers in a single plane, resulted in the doubling of construction joints and thus presented a major risk to the program. The main contractor was delighted when we proposed that – of the three tendons in a web – two could be coupled in one plane, with the third one being overlapped by introducing an anchorage blister in the webs. Our proposal was accepted and the main contractor was able to hand the project over on time.
22.11.2011