Abstract: This article outlines the stages of the Autofoncage and Autoripage systems for the rapid installation of concrete bridge and underpass structures under railways and roads, and provides details of two bridge slides in South East England, which used the Autoripage system to minimise traffic disruption during their installation. The Autoripage system evolved from the Autofoncage system invented and patented by JM Beauthier of JMB Methodes in France. In 1998, Geoffrey Osborne, a UK contractor with specialist bridge and rail experience, use Autoripage to complete two schemes for building reinforced concrete bridges under railway tracks. Both bridges were constructed and slid several metres below natural ground water level. Because of the very different soils at their sites, very different engineering methods were used to ensure that there were no problems from the ground water. One of the many advantages of Autoripage is its ability to accommodate varied soils, even on the same project. At Ash Vale, a new access road had to be constructed and pass below railway lines through difficult ground with a higher water table; the bridge was slid on sand with bands of gravel exposed. At Chalvey, an underbridge to carry flood water had to pass under another railway line; it was slid on clay.
Publication Year: 1999
Publication Date: 1999-01-01
Language: en
Type: article
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Cited By Count: 2
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