Paraslim from RMD Kwikform Ireland Helps Deliver M6 Project Ahead of Schedule
RMD Kwikform Ireland used its specialist Paraslim composite bridge system, Alshor Plus and Megashor falsework to help main contractor SIAC-Wills Joint Venture Ltd, deliver an important bridge known as structure 9 for the Ballinasloe to Athlone stretch of the new M6 Motorway.
Faced with the task of creating a four span, 100 metre long bridge for the Ballinasloe to Athlone stretch of the new M6 Motorway, main contractor Siac Willis Joint Venture Ltd (a company created by construction and civil engineering specialists SIAC Construction Ltd and Wills Bros Ltd) had to find a cost effective solution that could deliver to a very tight programme.
The solution was to opt for a composite structure that relied on the use of precast concrete beams, weighing 90 tons that could be crane lifted into place onto the pier heads, using Alshor Plus falsework in conjunction with Megashor Props for support. Once in place the parapets were created using 200 linear metres of RMD Kwikform’s Paraslim cantilever style formwork system.
Commenting on the challenges of the project Andy Fenton from RMD Kwikform said: “When you are dealing with any composite bridge structure, the main consideration is how to create the bridge with the minimal amount of effort and time. Because this project was a totally new motorway we did not have to worry about putting together a solution that would enable the traffic to keep flowing. However one of the main challenges of manoeuring the 90 ton beams into place safely required extra consideration in the overall solution design.
“To support the loads of the beams we designed a Megashor propping system. Megashor itself is a heavy duty shoring system capable of supporting loads up to 1000kN per leg, so the equipment had no problem with coping with the beams.
“In addition to Megashor we used our aluminium Alshor Plus shoring system to create support tables that could be used when positioning the beams onto the cast in-situ pier heads. Being a lightweight system capable of supporting leg loads up 120kN, the construction of the Alshor Plus tables could be easily achieved by hand onsite, without the need for additional crane support.
“Once the tables were created and braced with Alshor Plus frames, a simple platform was created to give staff a safe working area with the edges of the platform protected by the use of our Ultraguard barrier system.”
Using the Alshor Plus platform, site staff were able to instruct the crane operators and manoeuvre the beams safely, making sure staff were able to achieve the precise accuracy required for beam placement, without damaging the pier heads. One in place, the 200 linear metres of Paraslim were erected onto the side of the beams to form the parapet part of the 4 lane structure, which was then cast in concrete.
Andy: “Because the team knew we were using Paraslim, the metal studs required as support for the overall system were precast into the beam at set intervals, before it arrived on-site. This enabled the erection of the modular cantilever style formwork to be achieved swiftly and safely.
Concluding Andy said “Being such a simple to install, yet flexible system, made up of brackets, beams, ties and a special undercarriage assembly, Paraslim has become a very popular choice for the construction of composite bridges, being used on hundreds of projects across Ireland and the UK.
“In this instance the product played an important role in delivering a challenging part of a major €210m motorway development project, allowing the whole stretch, which completes 50km of road infrastructure to opened up in July 2009 – six weeks ahead of schedule!”
For further information on articles and images from RMD Kwikform email peter@edsonevers.com
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