Functionality moves higher.

Works: Bridge over the Simeto River

Location: Passo Martino (CT)

Project features: this viaduct is part of the works to complete the motorway stretch between Catania and Siracusa. The bridge has two carriageways each 13.5 m wide, with a total length of 764 m. The distance between the piers (up to 25.5 m high) is 92 m. The self-launching structure supplied by ALPI has a total length of 132 m for the cast of a type segment of 925 m³ with length of 92 m and advanced on three support towers, crossing the Simeto River. 18 casts were foreseen overall. Each segment was shuttered in two phases: in the first phase, the bottom was cast with the vertical webs and the cantilever wings, in the second phase the center slab between the webs. The two bridge cranes, with a load capacity of 2 x 5 t each, running between the two box girders TAC, were used to handle and assemble the reinforcing bars, formwork and all other useful material. The external formwork was hung closed from TAC girders by way of tie bars, after the casting and during launching phase it was opened and remained appended. The bridge shape was created by external and internal formwork elements using components from the MECCANO system. The entire structure, composed of TAC and formwork, was launched at height using a hydraulic system. The works were mostly done using standard elements: only a small percentage of the material was made of special pieces, with consequent and significant savings in terms of time and resources.