RICHMOND BRIDGE: HISTORY, ASSESSMENT AND REFURBISHMENT

The 173m long bridge constructed of five Portland stone arches with brick approach arches is London's oldest crossing of the Thames and was completed in 1777. The bridge was widened in 1939 by careful removal, storage and re-erection of the original stonework. A thorough inspection was carried out in 1991 as part of the National Bridge Rehabilitation Plan. Although it was found to be in a good structural condition, it was decided that ingress of water from the road surface and possible chloride contamination from de-icing salts should be prevented by applying a waterproof membrane to the deck. Work should also be carried out to clean and protect the stonework. Material strengths and possible voids needed to be located before assessing the load carrying capacity. A ground radar technique was used to determine the condition of the arch infill material and locate any voids. Correlation with core samples enabled radar readings to be processed and depths of interfaces to be estimated to an accuracy of approximately four per cent. Mechanical impulse tests indicated that the road slabs were generally well supported, however the bituminous wearing course was separating from the concrete slab in several areas. Load tests showed that a 17 tonne weight limit would be needed. Details are given of the refurbishment and traffic management measures applied to cope with the 15 000 vehicles per day and 80 buses an hour using the crossing.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/09670726
• Corporate Authors:

  PALLADIAN PUBLICATIONS LTD

  THE OLD FORGE
  ELSTEAD, SURREY  United Kingdom  GU8 6DD
• Authors:
  • Williams, H
  • CORNELL, R
• Publication Date: 1993-1

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: References;
• Pagination: p. 2-5
• Serial:
  • CONSTRUCTION REPAIR
  • Volume: 7
  • Issue Number: 1
  • Publisher: PALLADIAN PUBLICATIONS LTD
  • ISSN: 0967-0726

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Arch bridges; Bearing capacity; Corrosion; Detection and identification; Detectors; Deterioration; Maintenance; Nondestructive tests; Radar; Repairing; Waterproofing
• Geographic Terms: United Kingdom
• Subject Areas: Maintenance and Preservation;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00638552
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport Research Laboratory
• Created Date: Nov 24 1996 12:00AM