Bridge & Viaduct
Piers

Bridges and viaducts are major engineering structures that carry highways, railways and other transport routes across valleys, roads, rivers and other topographic obstacles. For the superstructure to be supported safely, reinforced-concrete load-bearing elements such as bridge piers and pylons must be built to the correct geometry, verticality and load-bearing capacity.

On tall viaducts in particular, reinforced-concrete piers can rise continuously for tens of metres, which makes the choice of formwork system one of the critical elements of the project. Whether the cross-section is constant or variable, the pier height, the wall thickness and any internal voids all play a key role in selecting the construction method.

Tall Bridge Piers

Tall bridge and viaduct piers with suitable geometry can be built using slipform technology. The system climbs hydraulically while concrete placement continues, so the reinforced-concrete pier is formed in a controlled, continuous rise. Worldwide, bridge pylons and tall bridge supports are among the established applications of slipforming, and Bygging-Uddemann's project history includes bridge pylon work in a number of countries.

In Rayf Teknik's slipform approach, the pier geometry is first examined in detail. If the cross-section changes with height, the formwork system must be prepared to accommodate that change. Special reinforced-concrete details inside the pier, such as voids or diaphragms, can also affect the work programme.

Verticality and Geometric Control

Survey control is critical on bridge and viaduct piers. Verticality monitoring must start at the lowest level and continue over the full height of the structure so that the superstructure connection points land precisely on the design coordinates.

In a slipform operation, concrete production, reinforcement fixing and the system's rate of rise are planned together. Because the setting characteristics of the concrete and weather conditions can affect daily progress, the site team must monitor the system continuously.

As bearings or pier cap beam connections will sit at the top of the pier, the related reinforcement and embedded items must be prepared at the correct levels. The smooth progress of subsequent construction stages depends on the tall reinforced-concrete pier being completed in line with the design not only in shape, but also in coordinates and elevation.

Rayf Teknik's experience in slipforming, tall reinforced-concrete structures and structural steel ensures that formwork engineering and site execution are considered together on bridge and viaduct projects.

The goal is not simply to raise the reinforced-concrete pier as quickly as possible. Keeping the structure within its design geometry, controlling concrete and reinforcement works, and correctly preparing the connections to the superstructure are the foundation of a successful bridge and viaduct project.