A STRUCTURE OF ELEGANCE, SIMPLICITY AND ECONOMY

The 260 M Maalgat River Bridge, which carries the dual carriageway national route, is described as an example of how precast and in-situ concrete can be used to overcome difficult site conditions and to create a structure of simplicity and economy. The bridge consists of two separate structures 14.6 M wide. Due to the topography at this river crossing site, the western part of the structure is on a straight horizontal road alignment, while the eastern part is on a 650 M horizontal curve. The roadway level is some 25 M above the river bed level, well above the 1 in 50 year design flood level. From a number of schemes detailed the most economical solution was found to be a four span design using in-situ hammerhead piers at 54 M centres and 44 M long precast, prestressed fish-belly box beams for the drop-in spans. The article details the bridge design and construction methods used. (TRRL)

• Corporate Authors:

  Pithead Press Proprietary Limited

  4th Floor, Wynrop House, 91 Mooi Street
  Johannesburg,   South Africa 
• Publication Date: 1980-4

Media Info

• Features: Photos;
• Pagination: p. 69-74
• Serial:
  • Construction in Southern Africa
  • Volume: 25
  • Issue Number: 1
  • Publisher: Pithead Press Proprietary Limited

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Alignment; Beams; Box girders; Bridge design; Bridge piers; Bridges; Concrete bridges; Construction management; Design; Field tests; Freeways; Precast concrete; Rivers; Structural design
• Geographic Terms: South Africa
• Old TRIS Terms: Insitu methods
• ITRD Terms: 2894: Alignment; 3472: Beam; 3474: Box girder; 3455: Bridge; 3666: Construction method; 9011: Design (overall design); 1088: Inland waterway; 2752: Motorway; 4792: Precast concrete; 8103: South Africa
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Construction; Design; Highways; I24: Design of Bridges and Retaining Walls; I53: Construction of Bridges and Retaining Walls;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00319635
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport Research Laboratory
• Files: ITRD, TRIS
• Created Date: May 21 1981 12:00AM