Helping Build Bridges in Merrylands
18 August 2011
Whether it be a bridge lift in Sydney or the roof of Ausgrid stadium in Newcastle, every hydraulic lifting job is inherently unique and requires delicate planning. The sound engineering solution capabilities of Coates Hire were recently on display when a Coates Hire jacking solution lifted up the Merrylands Railway overpass bridge and then propped it up for several weeks whilst the bridge’s bearings were being replaced.
The railway overpass bridge connecting Neil and Mombri streets in Merrylands caters for thousands of cars every day. So when the task of replacing the support bearings of the bridge arose, Coates Hire was called to supply hydraulic cylinders for the lift and develop a unique propping solution to complement the cylinders.
Product Specialists Michael Broome and Steve Veld, had an initial meeting with RailCorp for the supply of cylinders only. The clients intention was to weld a frame together with structural steel and then proceed to jack off that platform. Coates Hire offered an engineered solution utilising the Coates Hire System 60 propping system combined with their range of Enerpac hydraulic cylinders. Michael Broome came up with the initial concept, assembled a prototype and asked RailCorp to come and assess its suitability.
Out of this scoping session the question was asked: “how are you going to get the gear up the scaffold?” Subsequently, the potential cumbersome task was avoided by provision of a Pivot-Arm Hoist and scaffold attachment to transport the gear up the side of the tower.
The project required the bridge bearings to be replaced. Enerpac RC1006 Hydraulic Cylinders were utilised at 8 lifting points to take the load off the bearing and lift the bridge up slightly. At this stage the props were extended to support the load of 14 tonnes at each point with a substantial safety factor taken into consideration.
Once the preparation of the new headstock was complete, the new bearings could be safely installed whilst the propping secured the bridge.
The set up of the propping and hydraulic system on the project totalled two days. One day for the setup of the equipment in place and the other for the lift with Coates Hire on site for assistance and support with the gear.
