GOING ROUND THE BEND

Light rail transit (LRT) systems in urban areas are often constrained to follow existing streets, and thus often need to be built on viaducts with low radii of curvature. This paper describes how this objective was achieved on the recently completed Bukit Panjang LRT in Singapore. The line uses segmental precast concrete viaducts, which are erected span by span with a launching girder for speed and economy. In May 1996, Singapore's Land Transit Authority (LTA) let a design-and-build contract for the LRT to the AGT Consortium; the line was opened in November 1999. 7.7km of its route is on viaduct, of which 540m is single track and the rest is double track; there is only 260m at grade, where the line leaves the street network. All stations are elevated. A considerable proportion of the route has tight curves, partly to follow existing curved streets, partly to cross over a road, and partly to change direction at a road junction. The paper discusses: (1) the viaducts' structural form; (2) the calculation of torsion in simply supported curved spans; (3) the design of simply supported spans for torsion; and (4) the use of stitched spans. Innovative methods allowed the rapid design of the viaducts, and an unusual bearing arrangement enabled the launching gantry to erect the exceptionally curved spans.

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  • Corporate Authors:

    Palladian Publications Limited

    15 South Street
    Farnham Surrey GU97QU,   United Kingdom 
  • Authors:
    • BANKS, C
  • Publication Date: 2000-5

Language

  • English

Media Info

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 00796528
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Source Agency: Transport Research Laboratory
  • Files: ITRD
  • Created Date: Aug 2 2000 12:00AM