Case Studies

Camley Road Bridge (HS 1)

Sectors: Structural, Civil, Rail
Applications: Bridge Strengthening

Summary: Lindapter Type RC fixings were used in a bespoke tie bar arrangement to strengthen the Victorian ‘jack arch’ bridge.

Part of upgrading the former Channel Tunnel Rail Link to High Speed 1 required the strengthening of Camley Road Bridge to safely tolerate the increased speed and frequency of rail traffic.

The Victorian bridge was constructed using cast iron beams to support arched brickwork, with supporting tie bars running internally within the structure. Testing revealed the bars had corroded and as such a new support was needed, whilst ideally avoiding a lengthy and complicated restoration. This had to be achieved without damaging the structure by drilling into the cast iron beams or removing brick infill.

Lindapter was approached and asked to propose a design that would replace the diminished support, creating a system that would effectively hold the arches together and prevent any lateral movement. Lindapter engineers devised the solution with supporting calculations, to add external tie bars to underneath the arched brickwork, using bespoke connection assemblies to link the cast iron beams. Type RC clamps were selected due to their ability to attach to the tapered flange with minimum intrusion to the infill brickwork. The fixings safely secured a pre-drilled steel plate to the underside of the structural steelwork with an adjustable tendon assembly allowing the tie bars to be tightened to provide the replacement support.

The Type RC clamp is a unique fixing enabling immense flexibility as the size and position of the bolt hole and thread are manufactured to individual application requirements.