The Oporto São João Railway Bridge – major design improvements through experimental tests

Abstract

<p> In the early 1980’s the Portuguese Government considered the possibility of replacing the aging 1877 Maria Pia railway bridge. Due to traffic constraints in the Portuguese north-south communications network a new bridge was necessary. A major competition was organized for a new railway bridge to improve the rail traffic between the twin cities of Oporto (north bank) and Gaia (south bank), where a larger traffic velocity (120km/h), higher axle loads and improved safety regarding derailment was required. This new innovative structural concrete bridge, with a strong aesthetic impact, had to use the existing network tracks but major adaptations had to be made on a 4km extension from Gaia to Oporto. The experimental tests carried out on the site laboratory were critical to guarantee a long lasting durable solution.</p>