Precast concrete is commonly used in the construction of highway, rail and pedestrian / cycleway bridges for its durability, high quality and low maintenance. Standard sections use a range of spans from 7m to 40m (highway bridges), 4m to 25m (rail bridges), and 9m to 45m (pedestrian and cycleway bridges). They are generally prestressed to enable a high load capacity. The ability to mass produce the required elements and the high speed of erection (minimising traffic disruption) ensures that the project will be cost effective.
Typical bridge components include:
- Beams
- Girders
- Deck Units
Advantages
- Superior structural outcome
- Longer spans
- Quality product
- Off-site manufacture means high quality
- Durable
- High strength, factory produced, long life prestressed concrete offers the ultimate outcome with minimal maintenance
- High load capacity
- Reduction in formwork and propping
- A sustainable solution
- Significant sustainability advantages through de-materialisaion
- Faster construction time
- Quick installation by highly skilled crews
- Immediate work platform for following trades
- Less weather dependent
- Simplified and safer construction process
- Less trades on site
- Less exposure to WHS and industrial relations risks
- Less waste
- Less materials handling
- Cores can be used for energy efficient air-conditioning
- High quality surface finishes.
Applications
- Parking structures
- Tunnels
- Shopping Centres
- Stadia
- Marine structures
- Railways
- Airports