by Marinella Melerra
Replacement Bergwijk Bridge Merelbeke challenging project
The 60-year-old Bergwijk bridge in Fraterstraat over the Ringvaart canal in Merelbeke will be replaced by a brand new bridge with three lanes of traffic, a two-way cycle path and a footpath. The current bridge is too low for modern shipping and does not provide enough safe space for road users.
Safe is extremely proud to be involved in this extremely challenging project. A project that requires the realisation of three large Profiles of Free Space. Two of 8 metres wide over the R4 and one of 50 metres wide over the Ringvaart canal.
The bridge will be built approximately 1.40 metres raised, so that it can be pushed to its final position after complete completion. We therefore had to take into account an applied auxiliary structure in the support on which the final sliding tracks can be fitted. In addition, temporary supports were constructed, to which the post-tensioning of the bridge can be diverted, rather than to the support structure.
Complex construction
The bridge deck consists of two main girders to be cast in situ, with a variable width of 1000 - 1200 mm and a variable height of 1600 - 2400 mm. The underside of the main girders is curved. Between the main girders come precast cross girders, each weighing 11 tonnes. The deck between these prefabricated girders is 250 mm thick and needs to be supported between them.
Account also has to be taken of a buckling line at the bottom, in the heart of the bridge deck. On one side, more than three metres of prefabricated consoles are mounted in the main girder; this is where the cycle path can be realised later.
Textbook example of good cooperation
The project is truly a feat of engineering and good cooperation between client Franki Construct and Safe as a specialist in temporary concrete support structures. We not only supplied and assembled the entire Poly-support system, but also carried out the complete engineering. All steel profiles, including shear walls, tipping supports and working floors, were Safe's responsibility. A care that our team took on with confidence and pride!
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