SAUDI FREEWAY VIADUCT COMBINES SPEEDY CONSTRUCTION WITH BEAUTY

Reyadh's 4.6-kilometer gulf street viaduct which is nearing completion, is expected to solve one of the city's major congestion problems. It incorporates a 2.1 kilometer concrete viaduct, a 1 kilometer long underpass, and an at-grade traffic circle which forms a B-level interchange. Overpass bridges, ramps, service roads, pedestrian subways, drainage, lighting and landscaping will make this an integrated project and one of the landmarks of the city. The viaduct, which consists of precast concrete segments erected by the balanced cantilever method, is a 3-dimensionally curved, cellular deck of variable depth, spanning supports which are generally more than 100 meters apart, but also includes one major span of 130 meters. Over 1200 segments with a maximum weight of 130 tons were cast in molds at a site adjacent to the construction. High standards of accuracy were required thought the project and some unusual construction techniques were employed. Stability towers capable of supporting loads of 2000 tons were placed near the piers and were the only support system required during the construction. Rail-mounted gantry cranes spanning both roadways, with a lifting capacity of 140 tons were used to install the precast segments. Two more mobile gantry cranes moved bridge elements from the factory to the stacking and curing yard. Construction started with the pier foundations and extended as a balanced cantilever towards mid-span. The balanced cantilever makes it possible to produce an unsupported bridge span 50 meters long, projecting out into space.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/oclc/25073860
• Corporate Authors:

  International Road Federation

  525 School Street, SW
  Washington, DC  United States  20024
• Publication Date: 1984-3

Media Info

• Features: Figures; Photos;
• Pagination: p. 12
• Serial:
  • World Highways/Routes du Monde
  • Volume: 35
  • Issue Number: 3
  • Publisher: Route One Publishing Limited
  • ISSN: 0964-4598
  • Serial URL: http://www.worldhighways.com

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Accuracy; Bridge foundations; Bridge superstructures; Cantilevers; Construction; Freeways; Gantry cranes; Precast concrete; Segmental construction; Viaducts
• Uncontrolled Terms: Bridge spans
• Old TRIS Terms: Pier foundation; Stability towers
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Construction; Design; Highways; Pavements; I24: Design of Bridges and Retaining Walls;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00386809
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Aug 30 1984 12:00AM