M8 Fermoy Bypass Bridge - Ireland

TF Expansion Joint Replacement

Background

The Fermoy Bypass (circa 450m long) located on the M8 motorway approximately 20km north of Cork, is a multiple span concrete post-tensioned bridge carrying the M8 motorway over the River Blackwater. The M8 forms part of the main link for traffic commuting from Dublin to Cork city. This structure was built and is maintained by Direct Route (contractors for the PPP Project M8 Fermoy/Rathcormac Bypass). Following an in-depth independent investigation, requested by Direct Route, findings revealed the existing joints on the southern abutment in both directions had failed. Measurements and readings taken exposed considerable abnormal shrinkage and creep on the joints, and prestress had caused elastic shortening of the deck. The temperature differences and movement ranges had exceeded the capacity of the movement joint for this bridge, making the existing joints non-functional and proving these, through collated data, to be either an incorrect joint type or incorrectly installed. Direct Route required these joints renewing with a suitable joint system to accommodate the more than originally anticipated movement range for the M8 Fermoy Bypass.

Failed expansion joint - Showing detachment from surface, delamination and joint exposure

USL Ekpan's Workforce

USL Ekspan were approached by Direct Route to undertake a full inspection of the current expansion joints on both north and south abutments to establish current conditions and advise remedial works required. On submission of their report, USL Ekspan were contracted to remove and replace the failed joints on the south abutment.

New installed TF1300 expansion joint

USL Ekspan’s inspection had also verified the failing of the south abutment expansion joints and their incapability to achieve the designed bridge movements or accommodate the bridge expansion gap between the deck and abutment ballast wall. This inadequacy had forced the joint fixings to rotate and shear due to the bridge’s large thermal movements and the loads/speeds of vehicles travelling across.

The joint was audible and sporadic bouncing was visible during transit. Eventually this would result in the joint lifting out of the road, creating a catastrophic hazard to motorists, especially motorbikes. The north abutment joints had deteriorated, not to the same extent, but also required maintenance as these too were likely to fail in the same way.

 Completion of replaced expansion joint

USL Ekspan’s programme of works was undertaken in three phases. These included removal of the south abutment joints; installation of the secondary seal and down pipes to suit the existing drainage arrangement and installation of one 23 m TF 1300 over both carriageways. Remedial works were carried out on the north abutment joints.

This project was successfully coordinated and completed in line with lane closures, on time and to budget.

For more information please contact  +44 (0) 113 8418861 or email info@uslekspan.com