Protection for bridge abutments
There are tens of thousands of bridges in the UK. They come in all shapes and sizes, whether it is a short hump bridge or a huge viaduct. Some are purely for pedestrians and bicycles whereas others are for automobiles and trains. Whatever the case, structural stability is important. To preserve this, it may be necessary to install a crash barrier to protect abutments and piers. It can prevent vehicles from colliding with the structure.
What is the abutment?
The most crucial part of the bridge to protect is the abutments. While the individual piers provide support, the abutment at each end supports the load and terminus of the superstructure. These are the points where the bridge connects to the ground. Each one has to support the weight of the bridge horizontally and vertically. It must also retain the embankment, supporting the weight laterally.
Abutments come in even more shapes and sizes than the bridges themselves. They can be simple or very complex designs depending on a number of factors. For example, it is important to think about things like wind loading. Then you need to consider the setting and the elements. Plus, there are situations when the abutments can be hidden from view and others where they will be visible.
The most common type of abutment is a typical gravity design. Generally they include the bridge seat, backwall, and footing for the span. Often there are wing walls to hold the deck of the superstructure. There will be a retaining wall for the embankment too.
Another common option is a U-abutment. They are similar to the one above but the wing walls have a different angle. They will be perpendicular to the bridge seat to offer more stability.
A third type you can see mainly in built up areas in a full height abutment. As you can tell from the name, they are much taller and have to support the whole embankment. The design can have shorter end spans though.
Why do you need a crash barrier?
It is absolutely crucial to protect abutments from any kind of impact that would hurt the stability. If you fail to do this a heavy accident could bring the whole span of the bridge down. That could cause a massive loss of life and many other problems.
The best thing to do here is to install a crash barrier on each abutment. They can take the impact and redirect the vehicle effectively to preserve the bridge structure. The barriers must be able to deal with the size and weight of the vehicle, factor in the speed, and be able to withstand impacts from different angles.
Speak to us
Barrier Mart is one of the most knowledgeable experts in our industry. We know when and how to use a crash barrier effectively. For example, we can suggest where to use them on roads, in car parks, around warehouses, and in many other locations. Clients can rely on us when they need help.
So, get in touch today and let us know more about your situation.