UK contractor celebrates its 100th bridge demolition by inviting DemolitionNews onto site.
Devon-based Gilpin Demolition has something of a knack for bridge demolition. In its relatively brief 20-year history, the company has previously removed 99 bridges of various shapes and sizes across the UK.
So when we heard that the company was about to hit the magic 100 mark, we dispatched the DemolitionNews film crew (one man and his Box Brownie) to Kent to capture the event for posterity.
The resulting video concentrates on the drilling and sawing involved in the demolition of a uniquely-designed, post-tensioned bridge across four tracks on the London/Paddock Wood line. Built in the 1950s it was found to be suffering from major structural defects when it was inspected in 2009. There was significant corrosion in the steel tendons and fears about ‘concrete cancer’ in the supporting posts in the abutments. There had already been concerns about the strength of the bridge, with width restrictions and temporary traffic lights installed in 2009 to prevent HGVs and buses from using the bridge, as it was no longer capable of carrying the existing 44 ton weight load.
To remove the existing surface structure and reduce the weight, Gilpin had to cut the pre-stressed tendons, which run across the bridge. This was something of an unknown quantity, as the bridge design is unique. Richard Henderson, Health and Safety Manger for Gilpin admitted. “The bridge is an unusual design. Normally the tendons run along the bridge, being anchored at abutments on the banks, this design has the tendons running across the bridge so it was a unique demolition for all concerned.”
Follow the progress of the demolition in the exclusive video below:
