News-Wipking-Viaduct-steelwork truss

Switzerland

Wipkinger Viaduct

Project description

Due to a large-scale modernization project of the Swiss National Railways (SBB), which included the Wipkingen railway station in the city of Zurich, the nearby 130-year-old brickwork viaduct (Wipkinger Viaduct) has been also renovated, along with various steel bridges.

In March 2024, the four steel truss bridges of the viaduct were dismantled and transported to a steel plant for overhaul.

mageba scope

Following their refurbishment, the truss structures have been reinstalled, with modern RESTON-SPHERICAL bearings replacing the old-fashioned roller bearings that previously supported them at each end.

mageba’s local team also took great care to ensure that the new bearings would fit precisely into place with perfect load transmission – even participating in the fitting of the required connection plates in the factory where the trusses were being renovated, pouring a special quick-hardening material to compensate for any unevenness in the old steelwork.

Beyond the bearings, mageba also supplied TENSA-RAIL RSU expansion joints to accommodate the superstructure movements at the surface. These were fabricated from stainless steel for maximum durability, extending the length of service life before replacement becomes necessary.

News-Wipking-Viaduct-lifting-rail-expansion-joint-recess-installation

The new TENSA-RAIL RSU joints were fabricated from stainless steel to maximise their durability

News-Wipking-Viaduct-installed-bridge-bearing

A spherical type bearing in its final position, which support the viaduct’s steel superstructure

Key Data

Products:

RESTON-SPHERICAL bearings, TENSA-RAIL RSU joints

Installation:

2024

City:

Zurich

Type:

Railway bridge

Owner:

Swiss National Railways (SBB)

Engineer:

AFRY

Contractor:

Marti AG