The M8 Sighthill footbridge links the Sighthill Transformational Regeneration Area across the M8 to Glasgow City Centre. The iconic steel composite integral bridge structure incorporating green aspects through growing vegetation is a gateway to Sighthill. This presentation will describe key aspects and discuss challenges faced during design and construction works.

Against the backdrop of climate change, complex installations in harsh environments are becoming the norm. Drawing on recent project experience in Scotland and beyond, this presentation aims to examine the key environmental considerations faced by bridge engineers when specifying their bridge; explore some of the significant engineering challenges associated with bridging in extremis and how they can be overcome; discuss the role that modular steel solutions can play in minimising project risk and maximising project efficiency.

The presentation will introduce half-joints, the critical nature of half-joints and the overall effect that have on bridge stock and the development of the new DMRB CS466 standard “Risk Management and Structural Assessment of half-joint deck structures”.

An outline of the performance of post-tensioned structures, the necessary reviews, findings and the essential lessons learnt will be presented.

WSP’s Structures Investigation Group (SIG) was involved in the development of the draft standard “BD 54/XX Management of post-tensioned concrete bridges” from 2012 and trialled the application of the BD’s processes, from desk studies to site investigations, on post-tensioned bridges during 2013 and 2014.

BD 54/15 was published in April 2015 and was a major improvement on the 1993 documents. The WSP SIG team completed BD 54/15 risk review and risk assessment reports for over 340 post-tensioned bridges between 2015 and 2021 and authored  the re-drafted Standard, CS 465, as part of the update of the DMRB. CS 465 was a further improvement in the advice provided for the management of post-tensioned concrete bridges.

The development of the BD and CS documents will be outlined and the benefits of their application to certain bridges in Scotland will be presented.

For the first time in the bridge’s history, the public will be able to access the world-famous structure and explore its heritage as well as the outstanding views from 110m above sea level. Plans will see the construction of a Bridge Walk Reception Hub on the South Queensferry side of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, which will be used for preparing those heading out on the bridge walk as well as providing physical access to the bridge. The proposals will be delivered with consideration for the bridge’s world heritage status and will set out to further the aims of UNESCO in helping to interpret the history and heritage of the Forth Bridge.

Using Knight Architects' recent experience on Network Rail's modular Flow Bridge, Tom Osborne will discuss how People and Place can be effectively embedded into standardised infrastructure design from the outset.

Opened in 1820 the Union Chain Bridge was the longest wrought iron vehicular suspension bridge in the world when it opened. This presentation discusses challenges associated with the refurbishment of this historic structure being carried out by the Spencer Group in partnership with Northumberland County Council.  

When the 1,006m-long Forth Road Suspension Bridge opened in 1964 it carried some of the largest expansion joints of their type anywhere in the world and, by the early part of this century, these needed replacement.

A replacement scheme was shelved temporarily once construction of the Queensferry Crossing was approved, given the disruption to bridge users that joint replacement works would have entailed. When the Queensferry opened, the reduced traffic on the Forth Road Bridge meant the scheme could be resurrected and even extended to include replacement of the footway joints as well as the comb and nosing joints on the approach viaducts and at the side towers.

This presentation will describe the procurement and construction process for the new joints, as designed by Atkins. Tenders were issued in 2017 for a works contract which was subsequently awarded to American Bridge international.

Works to replace the joints commenced in 2018, with Amey acting on behalf of Transport Scotland as part of a contract to operate and maintain the bridge. BEAR Scotland subsequently took over for the operation and maintenance of the bridge in August 2020.

By their very nature large bridges pose a significant challenge when it comes to their inspection and maintenance. They are often very high and span across large rivers making access from the ground nigh on impossible. In these situations it is necessary to install some means of access on to the bridge, whether it be a permanent or temporary platform. Most bridges require some form of access below the deck. Suspension bridges have the added complexity of also requiring access above deck level to the main cables, which can be up to 200m above sea level. One thing they all share in common is that access is extremely hazardous and must be executed in a safe manner that reduces the risks to a minimum. This presentation explores some of the issues that arise in the design of the bridge access gantries and shows real world examples of projects that Eadon Consulting have been involved in over the last decade.

Join Jordan Whitfield, Scheme Project Manager from Story Contracting to hear about the work and challenges involved to deliver the replacement of Scotland’s most struck bridge. The project at Bellside Bridge, located in Wishaw, was delivered over an eight-week period and involved road and line closures to safely carry out the work. The solution involved replacing the existing bridge deck with a thinner one, providing additional headroom under the structure. This has removed its classification as a low bridge and the need for a signed diversion route through the town for high sided vehicles. The impact of bridge strikes on the local road network will be reduced and trains will be able to run more safely and reliably.

An innovative project is currently under way with the UK Department for Transport that is focused on identifying carbon reduction in bridges and viaduct assets with an emphasis on whole-of-asset-life carbon management. This uses a tool that was developed by Mott MacDonald and the University of Bristol called FUTURES - Future Uncertainty Toolkit for Understanding and Responding to an Evolving Society.