SPACES SYSTEM: A NEW CONCEPT IN BRIDGE DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION AND OPERATION

The "SPACES" System, a new bridge construction system which has been conceived to achieve significant improvements in performance over conventional bridging systems, is described. The system is suitable for a wide spectrum of bridging needs ranging from motorway widening bridges to long span viaducts and cable-supported bridges, and offers improved access and safety for inspection. The system allows complete spans to be rapidly installed over existing highways and railways with minimum traffic disruption and permits subsequent inspection and maintenance to be carried out with no traffic disruption. Advantages include higher product quality at lower cost, with reduced time, cost and risk in construction. These are described with comparisons to conventional systems. The SPACES System utilizes a highly efficient steel space frame, a concrete road slab acting compositely with the steel space frame, and an aerodynamically profiled, corrosion resistant enclosure shell in advanced composite materials. The space frame is fabricated from large diameter tubes and cast of fabricated nodes. The efficient structural form is supported by an advanced design methodology which is briefly described. Performance enhancements in the areas of durability and corrosion, dynamic response to high speed vehicles, safety with respect to vehicle collision, fatigue life, and aerodynamic forces are reviewed. Improvements in noise emission, especially important for high speed and urban railway networks in environmentally sensitive areas are examined. The underpinning technologies and integrated manufacturing processes are briefly described, together with typical procurement routes. The likely impact of the system on the realisation of new transportation links, be they in urban areas or major river crossings, is assessed. For the covering abstract see IRRD 877985.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/isbn/0860502872
• Corporate Authors:

  PTRC Education and Research Services Limited

  Glenthorne House, Hammersmith Grove
  London W6OL9,   England 
• Authors:
  • CHURCHMAN, A E
  • CADEI, JMC
• Conference:
  • ROADS PROVISION AND OPERATION. PROCEEDINGS OF SEMINAR K HELD AT THE 23RD EUROPEAN TRANSPORT FORUM, UNIVERSITY OF WARWICK, ENGLAND, SEPTEMBER 11-15, 1995. VOLUME P397
• Publication Date: 1995

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: References;
• Pagination: p. 21-34

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Accessibility; Bridge superstructures; Bridges; Composite materials; Conferences; Construction management; Design; Maintenance; Pavement widening; Reinforced concrete; Shells (Structural forms); Steel; Surveillance
• ITRD Terms: 9139: Accessibility; 3455: Bridge; 9005: Composite; 8525: Conference; 3666: Construction method; 9011: Design (overall design); 3847: Maintenance; 4794: Reinforced concrete; 3333: Shell (struct); 4542: Steel; 3473: Superstructure (bridge); 9101: Surveillance; 2889: Widening (road, bridge)
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Construction; Design; Maintenance and Preservation;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00723100
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport Research Laboratory
• ISBN: 0-86050-287-2
• Files: ITRD
• Created Date: Jul 26 1996 12:00AM