2012 CISC Alberta Steel Workshop

Proven Practices for Incremental

Launching of Steel Girder
Bridges

By: Robert Gale, PEng

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2012 CISC Alberta Steel Workshop
Presentation Outline
1) Overview of Launching and how can it be used for
construction of steel structures bridges or other
2) Site Constraints for Launching - Reviewing the suitability
of the site. Two projects Park Bridge & Coast Meridian
3) Bridge Design for Launching - Adequacy of permanent
bridge superstructure for temporary launching demands
4) Fabrication and Assembly for Launching - unique aspects
5) Launch Equipment - Function of systems typically used
6) "Jack Down" after Launching - Transfer of bridge
superstructure from temporary supports to permanent
bearings
7) Summary and Conclusion

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2012 CISC Alberta Steel Workshop
1) Overview of Launching
Conventional Delivery or Design Build Architect/ Simple Org Chart
Design Engineer

General
Contractor

Construction
Fabricator Engineer or
Erector

Launching?
Construction
Method Many items need to "fall
into place"

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2012 CISC Alberta Steel Workshop
1) Overview of Launching
Launching can be used for many types of structures, but alignment
should be straight or constant curve.

Launching is a viable option for regions of: Steep or inaccessible terrain

of obstacles below, or heavy vehicle traffic below.

Design girders for permanent loads and temporary launch loads.

Check elements of superstructure for launching (splices, bottom flange,

plan bracing, jacking stiffeners). May need re-design.

Require an assembly bed that is wide enough for crane access and long
enough to assemble girders to safely cantilever out.

Launching may not be cost effective if traditional construction methods

are available (Need to manage all girders throughout work).

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2012 CISC Alberta Steel Workshop
1) Overview of Launching

Examples of Some Recent Launching Projects

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2012 CISC Alberta Steel Workshop
1) Overview of Launching
Deh Cho Bridge, NWT

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2012 CISC Alberta Steel Workshop
1) Overview of Launching

Athabasca Bridge, Fort McMurray, AB

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2012 CISC Alberta Steel Workshop
1) Overview of Launching
South Layton Overpass, UT

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2012 CISC Alberta Steel Workshop
1) Overview of Launching
Capilano River Bridges, N Vancouver, BC

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2012 CISC Alberta Steel Workshop
1) Overview of Launching
Peace Bridge, Calgary, AB

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2012 CISC Alberta Steel Workshop
Presentation Outline
1) Overview of Launching and how can it be used for
construction of steel structures bridges or other.
2) Site Constraints for Launching - Reviewing the suitability
of the site. Two projects Park Bridge & Coast Meridian.
3) Bridge Design for Launching - Adequacy of permanent
bridge superstructure for temporary launching demands
4) Fabrication and Assembly for Launching - Unique aspects
5) Launch Equipment - Function of systems typically used
6) "Jack Down" after Launching - Transfer of bridge
superstructure from temporary supports to permanent
bearings
7) Summary and Conclusion

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2012 CISC Alberta Steel Workshop
2) Site Constraints
Old Park Bridge
One of the highest rock fall hazard areas in BC.
Accident rate double the provincial average.

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2012 CISC Alberta Steel Workshop
2) Site Constraints

Site Layout for New Park Bridge

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2012 CISC Alberta Steel Workshop
2) Site Constraints

Assembly Bed at West Abutment

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2012 CISC Alberta Steel Workshop
2) Site Constraints Launch Video

Courtesy of BC MoT and Focus Corp.

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WBES 2011 Phoenix, AZ
2) Site Constraints

Assembly Bed

Fabrication
Shop

Coast Meridian Overpass (CMO) Site

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2012 CISC Alberta Steel Workshop
2) Site Constraints

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2012 CISC Alberta Steel Workshop
2) Site Constraints

CMO first launch

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2012 CISC Alberta Steel Workshop
2) Site Constraints

CMO in final position after last launch

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2012 CISC Alberta Steel Workshop
Presentation Outline
1) Overview of Launching and how can it be used for
construction of steel structures bridges or other.
2) Site Constraints for Launching - Reviewing the suitability
of the site. Two projects Park Bridge & Coast Meridian
3) Bridge Design for Launching - Adequacy of permanent
bridge superstructure for temporary launching demands
4) Fabrication and Assembly for Launching - Unique aspects
5) Launch Equipment - Function of systems typically used
6) "Jack Down" after Launching - Transfer of bridge
superstructure from temporary supports to permanent
bearings
7) Summary and Conclusion

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2012 CISC Alberta Steel Workshop
3) Bridge Design for Launching

Bridge designed to S-6 with separate launch criteria for load

cases for the temporary launching demands. Mostly have to
deal with dead load, wind load, and other effects such as
training (guiding) forces and temperature.

Superstructure designed for permanent load cases and

checked and modified as necessary for launch load cases.
Most efficient if these are completed concurrently, as with a
design-build project.

2-D beam models (typical cases) and 3-D FE models

(governing longitudinal cases including transverse loads)
used to check structure for launching. Careful of camber
effects on the moving structure as can lift off close supports.

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2012 CISC Alberta Steel Workshop
3) Bridge Design for Launching

Superstructure:
Girder non-composite bending moment
Bolted field splices
Localized web buckling for cantilever reaction
Transverse Loads (wind loads and others)
Jack Down loads

Piers & Abutments:

Longitudinal and transverse reactions at Pier Equipment
Jack Down loads. Sequence may cause increase loads.

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2012 CISC Alberta Steel Workshop
3) Bridge Design for Launching

Example 3-span plate girder bridge for launching

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WBES 2011 Phoenix, AZ
3) Bridge Design for Launching

Typical bridge cross section for permanent bridge

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2012 CISC Alberta Steel Workshop
3) Bridge Design for Launching

Governing case for launching

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2012 CISC Alberta Steel Workshop
3) Bridge Design for Launching

Launching cross section

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2012 CISC Alberta Steel Workshop
3) Bridge Design for Launching

Girders in final position but not on permanent bearings yet

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2012 CISC Alberta Steel Workshop
3) Bridge Design for Launching

Jack Down at Piers

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2012 CISC Alberta Steel Workshop
3) Bridge Design for Launching

Image provided by Structural Concepts

Span to depth ratio not greater than range of about 20 to 25

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2012 CISC Alberta Steel Workshop
3) Bridge Design for Launching

Flush bottom flange to allow girder unobstructed advance on rollers.

Constant width of bottom flange easier, but not required, for guiding

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2012 CISC Alberta Steel Workshop
3) Bridge Design for Launching

Bolted field splices detailed to allow passage of roller

No coatings in roller path or use weathering steel

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2012 CISC Alberta Steel Workshop
Presentation Outline
1) Overview of Launching and how can it be used for
construction of steel structures bridges or other.
2) Site Constraints for Launching - Reviewing the suitability
of the site. Two projects Park Bridge & Coast Meridian.
3) Bridge Design for Launching - Adequacy of permanent
bridge superstructure for temporary launching demands
4) Fabrication and Assembly for Launching - Unique aspects
5) Launch Equipment - Function of systems typically used
6) "Jack Down" after Launching - Transfer of bridge
superstructure from temporary supports to permanent
bearings
7) Summary and Conclusion

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2012 CISC Alberta Steel Workshop
4) Fabrication and Assembly

Assemble at "no load" camber so that DL steel deflections are correct after launching

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2012 CISC Alberta Steel Workshop
4) Fabrication and Assembly

Launched uphill in two section due to 6% slope

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2012 CISC Alberta Steel Workshop
4) Fabrication and Assembly

Detailed for steel dead load in position with oversize holes

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2012 CISC Alberta Steel Workshop
4) Fabrication and Assembly

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2012 CISC Alberta Steel Workshop
4) Fabrication and Assembly
Deliver 1 girder every 3 days

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2012 CISC Alberta Steel Workshop
4) Fabrication and Assembly

View of Interior framework and two main rib beams for cable-stay loads.
More than 180,000 bolts for structure

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2012 CISC Alberta Steel Workshop
Presentation Outline
1) Overview of Launching and how can it be used for
construction of steel structures bridges or other.
2) Site Constraints for Launching - Reviewing the suitability
of the site. Two projects Park Bridge & Coast Meridian.
3) Bridge Design for Launching - Adequacy of permanent
bridge superstructure for temporary launching demands
4) Fabrication and Assembly for Launching - Unique aspects
5) Launch Equipment - Function of systems typically used
6) "Jack Down" after Launching - Transfer of bridge
superstructure from temporary supports to permanent
bearings
7) Summary and Conclusion

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2012 CISC Alberta Steel Workshop
5) Launch Equipment Nose
Temporary lighter girders attached to
leading end of permanent girders.

Sloped up for cantilever deflection

Reduce cantilever overturning moment

Custom design to suit conditions

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2012 CISC Alberta Steel Workshop
5) Launch Equipment Nose

Nose is lighter using truss - but more detailed fabrication required

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2012 CISC Alberta Steel Workshop
5) Launch Equipment Nose

Hinged nose to accommodate large cantilever deflection for long spans

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2012 CISC Alberta Steel Workshop
5) Launch Equipment Nose

Simple temporary nose using rolled beam sections

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2012 CISC Alberta Steel Workshop
5) Launch Equipment Nose

Can accomplish with no nose in the right situation

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2012 CISC Alberta Steel Workshop
5) Launch Equipment On Piers

Nose about to touchdown on rollers

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2012 CISC Alberta Steel Workshop
5) Launch Equipment On Piers

Close-up of roller nests (green) and guide wheel

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2012 CISC Alberta Steel Workshop
5) Launch Equipment On Piers

Roller assembly with integral guide system.

Can also side on greased plates or teflon/stainless systems

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2012 CISC Alberta Steel Workshop
5) Launch Equipment On Piers

Roller assemblies need certain amount of space on pier top for equipment
and temporary anchor bolts

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2012 CISC Alberta Steel Workshop
5) Launch Equipment Moving

Friction system for Park Bridge - hydraulic rams with clamping jaws
All pushing force goes into concrete abutment

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2012 CISC Alberta Steel Workshop
5) Launch Equipment Animation

Courtesy of BC MoT and Focus Corp.

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WBES 2011 Phoenix, AZ
5) Launch Equipment Moving

Friction system for CMOP girder clamp rides on bottom flange

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2012 CISC Alberta Steel Workshop
5) Launch Equipment Moving
Winching with
tackle pulling
from abutment
to equalizer
beam at back
end

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2012 CISC Alberta Steel Workshop
5) Launch Equipment Moving
Winching by
pull directly
from front

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2012 CISC Alberta Steel Workshop
5) Launch Equipment Moving

Launch system using two linked strand jacks pulling from abutment

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2012 CISC Alberta Steel Workshop
5) Launch Equipment Moving

Using multiple linked strand jacks on steel rails behind abutment

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2012 CISC Alberta Steel Workshop
Presentation Outline
1) Overview of Launching and how can it be used for
construction of steel structures bridges or other.
2) Site Constraints for Launching - Reviewing the suitability
of the site. Two projects Park Bridge & Coast Meridian.
3) Bridge Design for Launching - Adequacy of permanent
bridge superstructure for temporary launching demands
4) Fabrication and Assembly for Launching - Unique aspects
5) Launch Equipment - Function of systems typically used
6) "Jack Down" after Launching - Transfer of bridge
superstructure from temporary supports to permanent
bearings
7) Summary and Conclusion

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2012 CISC Alberta Steel Workshop
6) Jack Down at Piers

1200mm (4-ft) Jack Down with 700 tons load

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2012 CISC Alberta Steel Workshop
6) Jack Down at Piers
Remove temporary rollers

Slide-in permanent bearing

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2012 CISC Alberta Steel Workshop
6) Jack Down at Piers
Bearing in position

Bearing installed

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2012 CISC Alberta Steel Workshop
Presentation Outline
1) Overview of Launching and how can it be used for
construction of steel structures bridges or other.
2) Site Constraints for Launching - Reviewing the suitability
of the site. Two projects Park Bridge & Coast Meridian.
3) Bridge Design for Launching - Adequacy of permanent
bridge superstructure for temporary launching demands
4) Fabrication and Assembly for Launching - Unique aspects
5) Launch Equipment - Function of systems typically used
6) "Jack Down" after Launching - Transfer of bridge
superstructure from temporary supports to permanent
bearings
7) Summary and Conclusion

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2012 CISC Alberta Steel Workshop
7) Summary What to Remember
Launching can be used for many types of structures, but should be
straight or constant curve.

Launching is a viable option for regions of: Steep or inaccessible terrain

or obstacles below, or heavy vehicle traffic below.

Design girders for permanent loads and temporary launch loads.

Check elements of superstructure for launching (splices, bottom flange,

plan bracing, jacking stiffeners). May need re-design.

Require an assembly bed that is wide enough for crane access and long
enough to assemble girders to safely cantilever out.

Launching may not be cost effective if traditional construction methods

are available (Need to manage all girders throughout work).

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2012 CISC Alberta Steel Workshop
7) Summary - Additional Information

Incremental Launching of Steel Girders in British Columbia

Two Case Studies
Structural Engineering International (SEI) magazine,
November 2011 Issue

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2012 CISC Alberta Steel Workshop
Acknowledgements
General Contractors
Park Bridge: Flatiron Construction Corp (Richmond, BC)
CMO: SNC Lavalin Constructors Pacific (Vancouver, BC)
Erector
KWH Constructors & Somerset Engineering (Burnaby, BC)
Fabricators
Park Bridge: Rapid-Span (Armstrong, BC)
Park Bridge: Structal-Bridges (Quebec)
CMO: Geo. Third & Son (Burnaby, BC)
CMO: Dynamic Structures (Port Coquitlam, BC)

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2012 CISC Alberta Steel Workshop
Thank-you !!

Questions?

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2012 CISC Alberta Steel Workshop