THE CUNENE RIVER BRIDGE IN ANGOLA (2009).

CHALLENGING CONDITIONS AND THEIR IMPACT ON THE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF AN 880m BRIDGE IN ONE OF ANGOLA’S

MAIN ROAD CORRIDORS.

Juan Jorge3rd of April 2012

Locality Plan

Bridge

Cunene River

EN – 120 Road, linking Lubango to Namibia

First Solutions

War and Destruction

Emergency Solution on Main Channel and Bailey Bridge that was incorporated in a second stage

Satellite View of Cunene River Crossings

Previous Permanent Crossing

Bypass Fill and Bailey Bridges

Satellite View of Cunene River Crossings

Previous Permanent Crossing

View of Bailey Bridge over 3rd Channel View of Fill

Definitive Solution Desired

• National Reconstruction Program• INEA - MINUC• Robust permanent structure• Quick construction required• Minimize concrete use because of lack of existing

nearby quarries – Light superstructure in order to reduce dimensions of

piles • Have independence from changing riverbed

conditions during construction

Definitive Solution Adopted

8m1.8m

Camp Establishment

Camp Establishment

Drinking water?

Electricity?

Diesel, food, general supplies?

Construction supplies?

Communications?

Difficulties Surrounding Camp Establishment

DateActivity 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Precast SlabsPiles

Substructure

LaunchingDeck

SurfacingJoints

2007 2008 2009

Girder Sections (Fab. y Trans.)

Construction Program

Reconstruction of Corrosion Protection

Precast Slabs

Type A Type B

Shear Connectors

Drainages

Precast Slabs Yard

Precast Slabs Yard

Precast Slabs Yard

Construction of Girder Sections in China

10 Types of sections

142 sections in total ≈ 2 500 tons of steel

Construction of Girder Sections in China

Transport of Girder Sections

Qinhuangdao, Hebei, China1st First Delivery February 2008

Xangongo, Cunene, Angola1st Delivery arrives April 2009

Transport of Girder SectionsRoad Transport in

Angola

Substructure

Substructure

Substructure

Substructure

• 12 piles had to be built in the main channel of the river.

• In these cases end tipping, in order to build a dry working platform, was executed and the piles constructed in a second stage

Substructure

Substructure

Superstructure – Welding and Launching of Girders

Superstructure – Welding and Launching of Girders

Deck Construction

3mm every 3 metres

Insitu concrete of sidewalk?

Leave service ducts for future services in sidewalk?

Surfacing and Expansion Joints

Guardrails and Lighting

Guardrails and Lighting

Recent Images

Soft Water AttackObserved Effects

Soft Water AttackObserved Effects

Soft Water AttackObserved Effects

Soft Water AttackObserved Effects

Soft Water AttackObserved Effects

Soft Water AttackObserved Effects

Soft Water AttackObserved Effects

Soft Water AttackSolutions