Taw of Duty: Barnstaple Bypass in the UK

Innovative use of falsework design is the emphasis of this article about the construction of the new Taw Bridge in Devon, south west England. Part of the US$52 million Barnstaple Western Bypass project, the multispan post-tensioned concrete box girder bridge keeps falsework to a minimum, while maximizing the available in situ and precast concrete options. The result has been rapid progression in the construction. However, the bridge has offered challenges to the builder, Nuttall, as the design calls for constructing a joint-free deck using the balanced cantilever method. The author notes that perfect balance in 'balanced' cantilever construction rarely occurs in practice, due to the near impossibility of achieving completely symmetrical loading because of transient, out-of-balance loads. The author relates in detail how Nuttall has found clever solutions to this design difficulty as it completes work on the new span over the River Taw.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/oclc/10480594
• Authors:
  • Parker, Dave
• Publication Date: 2006

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Photos;
• Pagination: pp 33-34
• Serial:
  • Bridge Design & Engineering
  • Issue Number: 45
  • Publisher: Hemming Information Services
  • ISSN: 1359-7493
  • Serial URL: http://www.bridgeweb.com/Default.aspx

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Box girder bridges; Bridge decks; Bridge design; Bypasses; Cantilevers; Cast in place concrete; Concrete construction; Construction joints; Continuous girder bridges; Falsework; Loads; Precast concrete; Tension
• Uncontrolled Terms: Balanced-cantilever method
• Geographic Terms: Devon (England); United Kingdom
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Design; Highways; I24: Design of Bridges and Retaining Walls;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01046529
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Apr 16 2007 7:38AM