HIGHEST RAILWAY BRIDGE

              CHENAB BRIDGE -KOURI

  As you know, bridge is a structure that is built over a railway, river, or road so that people or vehicles can cross from one side to the other.

      In other words, bridge is the source of transportation between two gaps. 

  The Chenab Bridge is an Indian railway steel and concrete arch bridge under construction between Bakkal and Kauri in the Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir in India.When completed, the bridge will span the highest railway bridge at a height of 359 m (1,178 ft) above the river, making it the world's highest rail bridge. In November 2017 the base supports were declared completed allowing for the start of the construction of the main arch.

             

                       CHENAB BRIDGE

Coordinates	33°9′3″N 74°52′59″E
Carries	Indian Railways
Crosses	Chenab River between Bakkal and Kauri
Characteristics
Design	Arch Bridge
Material	Steel and Concrete
Total length	1,315 m (4,314 ft
Height	(river bed to formation) 359 m (1,178 ft)
Longest span	467 m (1,532 ft )
No. of spans	17

     SUSPECTED CHENAB BRIDGE AFTER                           COMPLETETION

     CHENAB BRIDGE DESIGN DETAILS

        

     Chenab Bridge forms a massive steel arch, the first of its kind in India. The country has no codes or design guidance for such massive structures. Based on experiences drawn from similar projects worldwide, the design practices for the bridge are being followed.

     BS: 5400 is being used as the basic guideline for the design and construction of the bridge. The deep Chenab river valley under the bridge is prone to high wind pressure risking the stability of the bridge.

Norway-based Force Technology Laboratory conducted several wind tunnel tests to understand the effects of wind speed, static force coefficients and gust buffeting. The bridge is designed to resist wind speeds of up to 260kmph. The seismic nature of the project zoneLOCATION  was also considered during its design.

The bridge will include 17 spans, as well as the 469m main arch span across the Chenab River, and viaducts on either side. The main span of the bridge will include two 36m-long approach spans. It will be built as a two ribbed arch with steel trusses made of concrete-filled sealed steel boxes. The structure will be supported by two 130m-long, 100m-high pylons on either end through cables.

Steel was chosen to construct the bridge as it will be more economical and able to resist temperatures of -20C and wind speeds of above 200kmph. The Jammu and Kashmir region witnesses frequent terrorist attacks. To enhance safety and security, the bridge will be made of 63mm-thick special blast-proof steel. The concrete pillars of the bridge are designed to withstand explosions.

A ring of aerial security will be provided to safeguard the bridge. An online monitoring and warning system will be installed on the bridge to protect the passengers and train in critical conditions. Footpaths and cycle trails will be provided adjacent to it. The bridge will be painted with a special corrosion-resistant paint, which lasts for 15 years.

           BRIDGE CONSTRUCTION AND                               CHALLENGE FACED

     The bridge is being constructed in one of the most complicated and isolated terrains. One of the biggest challenges involved was construction of the bridge without obstructing the flow of the river. Approach roads, five kilometres in length, were constructed to reach the foundations of the bridge.

The deck of the bridge is partly in straight horizon and partly in curves. It is located on a transition curve with changing radius. Construction is therefore being carried out in stages following the gradual change in the alignment. This is the first time a bridge is being constructed incrementally on a transition curve.

Cable cranes and derrick will be used to construct the bridge. The cable cranes used for the project will be the largest in the world.

Construction of the bridge is expected to require 25,000mt of steel, 4,000mt of reinforced steel, 46,000m³ of concrete and eight million m³ of excavation.

           CONTRACTORS INVOLVED IN              CONSTRUCTING THE RAILWAY BRIDGE

       Amberg Engineering was appointed to carry out review work of the alignments. Konkan Railway Corporation is executing the project. Design and construction of the bridge was awarded to a joint venture of Afcons Infrastructure, Ultra Construction & Engineering Company of South Korea and VSL India in 2004.

Finland-based WSP Group and Germany-based Leonhardt Andra and Partners are the consultants for the project. VCE Consult ZT-GmbH designed the pylons of the bridge. Jochum Andreas Seiltransporte installed the cables for the pylon. AkzoNobel was awarded the painting services contract for the bridge.

PROJECT TYPE :               Railway bridge

LOCATION :                       Kouri, distt -                                                      Reasi (JAMMU                                                AND KASHMIR)

PROJECT STARTED :       March 2004

EXPECTED                        March 2024

 COMPLETED : 

website created by  :- 

RAHUL CHALOTRA