Bridges
- Publication no: ABC-SAS006-11
- Published: 31 October 2011
- PDF (free) Download
One of the key elements underpinning sustainable bridges is innovation in the use of materials and technology in the area of Bridge Engineering. Any innovation requires validation through measurable outcomes.
This paper describes adoption of RTA generic specifications B200 and B204 for fabrication and welding of bridges, respectively, in conjunction with supplementary project specific requirements for a railway steel bridge, the first ever RTA project wherein such requirements were embedded in the project specification.
South Maitland Railway Bridge (SMRB), located at Loxford, is a privately owned bridge, the construction of which initiated as part of early works for Hunter Expressway with the objective to facilitate alignment of the expressway beneath the bridge. The bridge consists of steel trusses with composite deck to carry railway traffic. It was recognised that the generic RTA Specifications for steel fabrication and welding did not have adequate provisions for the fabrication and welding of the bridge elements for which enhanced fatigue performance was the key requirement. Development of project specific specifications was, therefore, the prime need of the project. The project specifications were developed after reviewing the requirements of the project. In the process, provisions in the Australian and American Standards were examined. In addition, Railway Technical Manual was also referred. During fabrication stage, immense benefit was derived from the provisions in the Specifications. This is demonstrated in the paper through specific examples. The paper also describes the shortcoming in the Specifications identified during implementation and the opportunity for improvement.