Headquarters:
mageba sa
Trafostrasse 1
8180 Bulach
Switzerland
Tel: +41-44-872 40 50
Fax:
A new 1.5km-long bridge in eastern Australia, on the coastal route between Sydney and Brisbane, has TENSA® MODULAR expansion joints connecting its deck to the abutments at each end – with noise-reducing features to minimise disturbance of the area’s peaceful location
A highway that connects two of Australia’s biggest cities, Sydney and Brisbane, crosses the Clarence River at Harwood in a relatively rural area near the coast. An existing bridge, unable to meet the demands of modern traffic, is currently being supplemented by a new four-lane bridge, alongside the existing structure, with a total length of approximately 1500 m. To facilitate the bridge’s movement requirements – especially from thermal expansion and contraction of the long twin superstructures – expansion joints with a movement capacity of 800 mm were required at each end, and it was specified that noise from traffic crossing the joints should be limited. A high degree of quality and durability was also required – for example, with a strong focus on laboratory testing to AASHTO/NCHRP requirements, including highly demanding fatigue testing. To meet these and all other demands, bridge expansion joints of the TENSA®MODULAR type were selected for use, equipped with noise-reducing features both above and below: “sinus plates” on the driving surface to minimise wheel impacts and thereby any resulting vibrations and noise, and ROBO®MUTE encapsulation of the space directly beneath the joint to block the transmission of noise from the underside of the joint.
The modular expansion joints were designed by mageba in compliance with the Australian standard AS5100.4 and the New South Wales standard RMS B316. The modular joints were then manufactured at mageba’s Shanghai factory, and delivered to site in open-top shipping containers for maximum protection and easy lifting. When the bridge opens to traffic in the coming months, the quality and quietness of its expansion joints – as sensibly specified by the bridge engineers – will help to both minimise disruption to traffic and preserve the area’s peaceful environment.
Bridge designer: Arup Pty Ltd
Contractor: Harwood Pacifico- Acciona Ferrovial JV
Owner: Transport for New South Wales