Pre-engineering
The new East Aerial Work Platform will be used for the following activities:
- Cleaning the Zeelandbrug
- Carrying out inspection activities
- Performing repairs to the Zeelandbrug
- Protective coating and preservation of the Zeelandbrug
Delmeco Consulting and Engineering Agency was asked to develop several concepts through a pre-engineering phase, taking the following challenges into account:
- The safety of users of the Zeelandbrug, including maintenance personnel, must be guaranteed
- Traffic flow on the main carriageway must not be obstructed
- Disruption for users of the cycle path must be kept to a minimum
- The installation/machine must be able to reach all spans
- The installation/machine must provide an extension of the working range compared to the existing installations/machines
Through a pre-engineering approach, it is possible to work efficiently and effectively towards the most optimal solution. Several concepts were explored, including:
- Installing a rail on the bridge along which a maintenance machine could be guided
- A fully movable scaffolding structure with a span of approximately 95 metres
- A structure positioned above the carriageway
- A structure based on the West Aerial Work Platform
Ultimately, a new design based on the West Aerial Work Platform was selected. During this study, the applicable legislation and regulations were reviewed.
Detail-engineering
As with the West Aerial Work Platform, a so-called guidance frame is installed on the western side of the portal trolley, which is located on the cycle path on the western side of the Zeelandbrug. This guidance frame serves as a guide for the lifting tower. A primary platform is suspended at the bottom of this lifting tower and is connected to the lifting tower by means of a slewing ring. Using a lifting mechanism, the lifting tower can move vertically, which also changes the height of the primary platform.
Along the full length of the primary platform, the east tower can travel across it. This east tower provides access to the eastern side of the bridge for the various activities. The east tower itself will consist of three different levels from which the work can be carried out.
Within this assignment, Delmeco Consulting and Engineering Agency was responsible for:
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The design
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The technical drawings
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The calculations
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The risk analyses
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The FEM analyses
Delmeco Projecten built the East Aerial Work Platform. A reference showing work carried out on all equipment on the Zeeland Bridge can be viewed here.
Client
Provincie Zeeland is a governing authority that represents the interests of the province and develops policy in the fields of economy, nature, infrastructure, culture and the living environment. The province works together with municipalities, the national government, businesses and social organisations to keep Zeeland liveable, accessible and economically strong.
