After nearly 20 years of use, Tran Phu Bridge, Nha Trang City has suffered some damage, especially bridge bearing pads. To assure traffic safety and increase the durability of the construction, Khanh Hoa Department of Transport has invested in the repair work...
After nearly 20 years of use, Tran Phu Bridge, Nha Trang City has suffered some damage, especially bridge bearing pads. To assure traffic safety and increase the durability of the construction, Khanh Hoa Department of Transport has invested in the repair work scheduled to be completed at the end of this year.
Tran Phu Bridge construction started in 1999 and finished in 2002. It is one of the highlights on the coastal street of Nha Trang City. The management board has performed regular maintenance on basic structures of moveable and stationary bridges and culverts; with the repair and replacement of damaged bridge railing, decks, etc. However, some damage in bridge bearing pads and girders have been recently found, affecting the bridge durability.
The leader of Khanh Hoa Department of Transport says many steel bearing pads of bridge girders have rusted due to saltwater and the solution is replacing steel bearing pads with rubber ones that are more resistant to salt water corrosion. Besides, 2 bridge girder structures, 33m, and expansion joints become rusty due to long-term use and environmental temperature.
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The repair and replacement work will be on bridge bearings, pillars and girders. All of the bridge bearings on 2 abutments and 3 pillars will be replaced by rubber ones to prevent rusting and salt water corrosion. Silica fume concrete is used to protect pillars and girders from concrete deterioration due to marine salt and as concrete bonding adhesive. Carbon composite brake pads will be stuck on the concrete surface to increase the bearing capacity of the bridge girders.
Nguyen Van Dan, Director of Khanh Hoa Department of Transport says Tran Phu bridge repair project has a total estimated cost of more than VND14.7 billion from the maintenance road fund. Currently, surface cleaning and painting work is underway on the beams 33 from the 1st to 4th span (upstream) and the piers from the T1 to T4. The construction contractor has finished about 15% of the work progress, ensuring the technical requirements.
The project is expected to be completed for 4.5 months. The Department of Transport has requested the contractor to implement traffic control and warning devices, during the time of lifting and lowering of girders. Travel on the bridge is forbidden during the replacement of the bridge bearing to ensure safety.
Reportedly, the new bridge bearings are manufactured in Europe with reputable trademarks in France, Italy and Switzerland and in conformity to design standard.
Tran Phu Bridge is nearly 460m long and 22m wide with 2 lanes, 7.5m each, 2.75m walkway and a 1.5m median strip. Its pot bearings include fixed and movable ones.
Thanh Nam
Translated by N.T
