The Sherrington Viaduct, situated between Salisbury and Trowbridge on the rail line, is undergoing significant upgrades to strengthen its structural integrity and ensure longevity. The viaduct is a critical part of the infrastructure for the railway network, making these works vital for maintaining service reliability and safety. The project involves a combination of strengthening, masonry refurbishments, and repainting.
Strengthening the Structure
Steel plates are being added to the existing girders to enhance the structural capacity of the viaduct to ensure that the viaduct meets modern engineering standards while preserving its historical design.
Masonry Refurbishments
Repairing and reinforcing the masonry abutments and piers is essential to maintaining the viaduct’s ability to bear loads effectively. These refurbishments will protect against long-term wear caused by environmental factors.
Repainting
Repainting the viaduct not only improves its aesthetic appearance but also provides critical corrosion protection for the steel components, ensuring the structure remains in serviceable condition for decades.
Alltask provided a purpose-built beamed access scaffold. The scaffold, supported by custom-engineered Mabey gallows brackets, was designed to ensure safe and efficient access for our client VolkerFitzpatrick and other contractors involved in the project.
We adopted the use of Mabey gallows brackets because the bridge was under stress and could not withstand additional loads if we were to suspend the scaffolding from the three main bridge girders.
We also needed to span over the River Wylye in span 4 before the salmon spawning season started. Additionally spans 2 and 3 are floodplains and the ground could not take any loads from grounded scaffolding without the installation of major concrete foundations, which was not a viable option.
These challenges necessitated an innovative engineering solution due to:
• Structural constraints
• Environmental considerations
• Time efficiency requirements
The scaffold allowed access for contractors to conduct their works effectively, providing a safe working environment by ensuring stability and safety at the viaduct site.
• The scaffold design was meticulously planned to address the unique requirements of the viaduct structure and site conditions.
• Our dedicated team of skilled scaffolders erected the structure, ensuring precision and compliance with safety regulations.
• Upon project completion, the scaffolding will be dismantled efficiently, minimising disruption to ongoing site activities.
Key Features of the Scaffold
• Beamed Access: The scaffold utilised a beamed structure to span challenging areas, ensuring uninterrupted access.
• Mabey Gallows Brackets: Purpose-built brackets provided a reliable foundation, demonstrating innovative engineering solutions.
• Safety-First Approach: Alltask prioritised safety by adhering to industry standards throughout the project.
Challenges and Solutions
The viaduct’s structural complexity required a tailored design. The team collaborated closely with engineers to ensure the scaffold met all requirements.
Elevated work areas demanded robust safety measures. Comprehensive risk assessments and on-site safety protocols ensured zero incidents.
Outcome
The Sherrington Viaduct scaffolding project was completed successfully, enabling contractors to carry out their work. The feedback from VolkerFitzpatrick confirmed the high standard of work and safety demonstrated by the Alltask team.
Conclusion
This project highlights Alltask’s expertise in delivering customised scaffolding solutions for complex sites. Our ability to adapt and innovate continues to deliver successful outcomes for our clients.