Bridge Jacking and Bearing Replacement

Lifting and Moving

Freyssinet offers a variety of jacking techniques, including applications which overcome issues in both new construction and existing structures or buildings. Jacks can be operated vertically to lift structures but also horizontally to move them.

Freyssinet’s capabilities include bridge lifting and sliding, bearing replacement, high strength bar tensioning, load transfer, pre-stressing, control of settlement and compensation jacking, force measurement, and weighing.

Jack types
Conventional hydraulic jacks are available up to 1000 tonnes individual capacity, however we are able to lift far greater loads than this with our designed manifold jacking arrays. The jacks are equipped with swivel heads and locking collars.

In addition Freyssinet is able to use its expertise as a bearing manufacturer to add PTFE and elastomer sliding surfaces to the jack head, giving it the ability to accommodate limited vertical and horizontal structural movement. Locking collars allow the hydraulic system to be out of circuit during live load situations thereby removing the failures associated with live hydraulic systems.

Flat jacks are also available up to 1000 tonnes capacity. Flat jacks are uniquely able to operate in gaps of 50 mm or less. In temporary situations, where jack removal is required, inflation can be by hydraulic oil. In situations where a permanent jack installation is required, such as bearing pre-loading or structural lifting, the jack can either be inflated from the outset with cementitious grout, or transfused under load with grout at a later date.

Freyssinet is also able to offer temporary lifting operations with flat jacks where conditions allow.

Hydraulic circuits
Jacking forces are controlled by use of either powered or manually operated hydraulic pumps.

Mechanical or electronic measurement of hydraulic pressures and structural movements allows the structure to be monitored and carefully controlled as it is jacked. Jacks can be joined together in complex circuits; where they can be operated in unison, in groups or individually.

Propping
Freyssinet’s in-house temporary works designers are often able to engineer alternative jacking solutions for temporary works where conventional propping systems have been specified. Such solutions often offer considerable advantages in terms of speed, cost, improved access, and in many situations, do not require temporary foundations or excavation.

Assessment and Replacement
As the foremost bridge bearing manufacturer and designer in the UK, Freyssinet is well placed to help clients assess the condition of existing bearings. Our site inspection service, by highly trained and experienced engineers, is offered across the whole of the UK and Ireland. This service encompasses inspection and comment on bridge bearing condition, bearing identification (including competitor’s product), provision of design information and drawings from our archives where it exists, advising on the practicalities of refurbishment, selection of equivalent bearing replacements where necessary, and development and budget pricing of replacement and refurbishment proposals.

Submission of a comprehensive and photographically illustrated report is part of the service, these documents can also be made available in electronic formats, to facilitate incorporation into client’s own reports and tender documentation.

Bearing Manufacture & Supply
Freyssinet offer a full range of bearing replacements, both mechanical and elastomeric, all designed to current CE marked standards or to BS 5400 as dictated by the client or site conditions.

Manufactured and assembled in our UK factory in quality controlled conditions our designers will often incorporate modifications into our standard bearing designs to make replacement easier.

When refurbishment is undertaken, dismantling, repair, repainting, and re-assembly are all carried out to exacting quality standards again as dictated by the clients requirements and site conditions.

Bearing Replacement
Freyssinet offer a “one stop” bearing replacement service both on a principal contractor basis and as a subcontractor. Freyssinet’s replacement service combines our pre-eminent position as bridge bearing manufacturer and designer with our expertise at design, supply and operation of jacking systems, and our knowledge of speciality construction chemicals such as grouts and epoxies. Other processes such as hydrodemolition and diamond drilling that are regularly required in bearing replacement, are offered as part of the package, supplied by us.

Freyssinet’s in-house temporary works designers are able to offer innovative alternatives to conventional propping that have time and cost benefits to the client.

Contact us, products@freyssinet.co.uk for more details.