Ramp Construction

Ramp Construction

Stage 1

Site survery amd soil investigation

There has been a problem with the construction of the ramps to lead into the bridge in 2006 with some sinking more than they should leading to a rethink of the ramp design which will now include piers instead (piles sunk into soil). (Beiser, 2003) In a more recent bid to involve the public in the design of the bridge New business school at Docklands Campus has called for a public vote between 27 April and 11 May 2009 on the choice of lighting fixtures on the pedestrian walkways, the colour of the cable stays, and the design on top of the pylons. When the soil investigation report or engineering judgement based on site visit indicates unsuitable soil material may be encountered below design elevations, a reasonably estimated base bid quantity of unsuitable soil shall be stated in the specifications.

Soil Investigation

Geotechnical Fatal Flaw Analyses

Geotechnical Site Investigation

Geotechnical Field and Laboratory Testing

Soil Investigation

Foundation Investigation

Geotechnical Engineering

Geotechnical Analyses-Slope Stability Analysis-Seepage Analysis-Settlement Analysis-Soil and Foundation Recommendations-Construction Materials Evaluation-Rock Slope Stability

Risk Analysis

Road Section Analysis

Geotechnical Consulting

CQA/CQC

Instrumentation

Independent third-party review

3D Modeling & Computer Aided Design Service, both Still and Animated

Design

The bridge design will have two 240 ft towers on each side of the bridge with single plane cable stays. The foundations for the two towers will be supported by 36 inch square piles (produced by Bayshore Concrete Products). The bridge will be 2,600 ft long with a 900 ft (305 m) span over the inlet of the Indian River, with 1,700 ft of bridge deck over the land. (Beiser, 2003)

This radical change in design from the original bridge means that all supports will be out of the water and so salt water erosion of structural elements won't be able to cause problems. The clearance from the deck to the water will be 45 ft (old bridge 35 ft clearance) to allow for navigation of shipping along the river. There will be two 12 ft travel lanes, a 10 ft outside shoulder, and a 4 ft inside shoulder in both directions. (Beiser, 2003) In addition there will be a single 12 ft wide sidewalk accessible from the east side of the bridge. There will also be reduced embankment heights leading into the bridge for a more open view of the estuary.

Stage 2

The traditional building materials for bridges are stone, timber and steel, and more recently reinforced and prestressed concrete. For special elements aluminium and its alloys and some types of plastics are used. These materials have different qualities of strength, workability, durability and resistance against corrosion. (Beiser, 2003)

Natural Stone

The great old bridges of the Etruscans, the Romans, the Fratres Pontifices of the Middle Ages (since about 1100) and of later master builders were built with stone masonry. The arches and piers have lasted for thousands of years when hard stone was used and the foundations constructed on firm ground. (Servaas, 2006)

Artificial Stones, Clinker and Brick

Amongst the artificial stones, clinker and hard-burned brick are used in bridges both as liners ...