Case Study: FRP Grating Aids in Refurbishment of Victorian-Era Swing Bridge
The Selby Swing Railway Bridge has been in operation for well over 100 years, connecting a railway line from Leeds to Hull in the United Kingdom, over the Ouse River. The swing span of this bridge extends 130 feet, where the span is supported by 24 cast steel rollers. The pivot point is also engineered with two unequal arms to support a 92-ton balance weight as the bridge swings over the canal to allow boats to pass.
This railway bridge is unique, as it was built during the Victorian era, and was well in need of a refurbishment for steelwork, hydraulics, beams, and paint. With a budget of over $10 MM dollars, the owner and operator of this bridge had to consider factors such as weight, historical preservation, durability, electrical conductivity, and corrosion resistance in all of its materials.
TECHNICAL DATA |
---|
Product: Swing Bridge Surface Grating |
Process: Pultrusion |
Materials & Sizes:
|
For: Pipex px® |
User: Network Rail Selby, North Yorkshire, UK |
Pipex px® supplied and fabricated almost 426 square meters (4,600 sq. ft.) of DURAGRID® T-3300 and I-6000 pultruded grating with medium epoxy grit. To support the fiberglass grating, EXTREN® wide flange beams were used.
Within the access structures, Pipex px® utilized DURAGRID® T-5000 for stairwell landings and DURAGRID® I-6000 stair treads in lengths from 2' to 4'.
It is expected that these FRP components will provide over 60 years of maintenance-free service to the Victorian-era bridge as it approaches its next centennial birthday.