Humber Bridge A-frame rocker bearings replacement

Abstract

<p>The Humber Bridge was opened in 1981 and carries the A15 dual carriageway over the Humber estuary, UK. From opening until 1997, it was the longest single span suspension bridge in the world with a main span of 1410 m. The deck is discontinuous at the towers where pairs of A-frame rocker bearings control the vertical and lateral position of the deck and provide a torsional reaction to the deck box. Extensive wear to the pin bearings of the main-span A-frame rockers was apparent, hampering their performance. Six refurbishment / replacement options were considered prior to selection of replacement of the A-frames by pendels and a wind shoe. The pendels will be connected to the deck box and tower portal beam at their ends using spherical bearing housed pins offering future durability and maintenance advantages. The wind shoe cantilevers from the deck box end, horizontal reaction provided by opposed hydraulically preloaded sliding bearings.</p>