Bridge Maintenance

A New Coat of Paint for the Bridge

KoPT started painting of Rabindra Setu in December 2004. Painting was completed in June 2005

More than 26500 liter of Aluminum paint was required to cover 23500 ton steel with a surface area of 22lakh sq. mt.

Click images for larger pictures (Hit BACK Button of your browser to come back to this page)

1. The damage caused to the under-structure of the bridge occurred due to the entanglement of vessel M. V. Moni has been restored.
2. Transformer building had been constructed to house HT transformers, LT panels and controlling panels to operate Decorative Illumination of Rabindra Setu.
3. The expansion and articulation joints at deck level are being inspected and the defective elastomeric slab seal type joint pads are being replaced. The work will be completed by December 2008.
4. As a sequel to the condition survey done in 1983, thorough Investigation of Rabindra Setu including detailed Design Audit will be taken up shortly.

Bridge Maintenance till 1983 

· Thorough painting (once in 5/6 years)

· Patch painting as and when needed

· Emergency repairs to dislocated joint  covers and railings

Survey Work in 1983

· In 1983 M/s Rail India Technical & Economics Services Ltd (RITES) were assigned the work of condition survey of the bridge.

· They had associated  M/s Rendel Palmer & Tritton Ltd., the original bridge designer, and Central Road Research Institute and Consulting Engineering Services

Scope of Survey

§ Detection of major defects and damages and assessment of the condition of the paints

§ Verification of geometry and distortions structure (if any), condition of road surfacing

§ Assessment of stress level under present day traffic.

§ Assessment of traffic density

§ Scope for restoration of distressed components

§ Formulation of maintenance procedure

§ Ascertainment of ground movement, settlement characteristic of foundation

Major Findings .

· Corrosion is the main cause of damage Corrosion initiated by adverse atmospheric condition

· Aggravated by human and vegetable waste                                                                                                                                                       

Bridge Parts  which Suffered the Most

· Tower base and adjoining structure

· Hanger bracing

· Fascia Girders

· Junction of hunger and cross girders, sliding bearing assembly and stringer nose

· Plates holding pin at articulation joint

· Horizontal members of super structure (e.g Gussets and batten plates)

.

.

Monolith Chamber

Other Observations

· Stress level at different portions are safe

· Settlement of monolith has reached steady state and differential settlement is negligible

· Magnitude of tilting is also very low

· Mechanical  components (e.g. Pins, locating , gears etc) show no abnormality

· Further study about scouring near foundation was recommended

Open Hangerhood

• Rehabilitation Programme
• Following jobs were mainly undertaken during restoration process
• Restoration of corroded stringer nose with bearing assembly
• Replacement of old defunct joint system and articulation pins
• Restoration of super structure members
• Restoration of hanger bracing and hanger
• Restoration of fascia girder including C.I. railing posts
• Restoration of damaged structural around tower

Restored Hanger

Restoration of Sliding Bearing  Assembly with Portion of Stringer Nose and Brackets

The work of restoring stringer –cross girder sliding arrangement keeping the bridge under full traffic was really challenging. Due to corrosion the sliding movement of  stringers have ceased to take place, which in turn could result in generation of  secondary stresses.

.

.

Home