FEATURE NEWS:
Suspension bridge supported by Bridon wires
The new Carquinez suspension bridge, the Al Zampa Memorial Bridge in San Francisco, California, is the first major suspension bridge to be constructed in the USA for 30 years. It opened on 8 November 2003. The 1,046-metre long bridge spans the Carquinez Strait at the northern tip of the famous Oakland Bay, which is also home to the Bay and Golden Gate Suspension bridges. The bridge, built to satisfy current seismic and safety standards, is named in tribute to lifelong bridge builder, Alfred Zampa, who was involved in the construction of many of the US famous bridges, including the Golden Gate Bridge, as well as many more in the Bay area.
The opening of the Al Zampa Memorial Bridge heralds the resurgence of the suspension bridge within the USA. There has not been a single bridge of this type constructed for over three decades. Winning this prestigious contract was a major achievement for Bridon, UK, who supplied 3,500 tonnes of galvanised high-tensile steel wires supporting the deck beneath. Bridon won contracts to supply a total of three separate orders of 5mm class A galvanised high-tensile steel wire to the project, all of which were subject to competitive, international tenders. The main catenary cables formed the first contract and were manufactured on site, using over 21,000km of Bridon manufactured galvanised wires. A two-month aerial spinning programme transformed the wire from coil form into the two main cables of the bridge, from which the entire bridge superstructure will be supported.
Thereafter, In addition to supplying the main cable wire for the suspension bridge, Bridon also supplied floor, hand and tram strand cables (prestressed 32mm and 38mm Ø spiral stands) to enable catwalk access across the bridge during construction. The company also supplied cables to hold the towers in place during construction. These are used to tie back the towers to a pre-set position before the self-weight of the superstructure pulls the bridge profile into its final position as the main cables and deck are erected. Mr Barrie Mordue, Bridon’s sales & marketing manager for structures, commented: “The Al Zampa Memorial Bridge is a milestone for US bridge construction and marks a return to the use of the suspension bridge after a significant period of inactivity. With a number of the world’s largest and most complex bridges in our portfolio, we have the experience and knowledge to support the development of the new breed of suspension bridges in the USA”.
Bridon's previous overseas expertise in supplying a variety of bridge cable solutions has helped it to secure contracts to supply products to a number of prestigious projects around the world, including the Pont d'Aquitaine in France (2000), London's Millennium Bridge in the UK (1999), and working alongside Cleveland Bridge Ltd, UK, on the Jiangyin Bridge in P.R China (1997) and the world's heaviest suspension bridge, the Tsing Ma Bridge in Hong Kong (1993).
Company: |
Bridon International Ltd |
Country: |
UK |
Fax: |
+44 1302 382200 |
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