Scope of Work: Eals Bridge is a stone bridge across the River South Tyne near in Northumberland. The historic bridge, constructed in 1704, stands as a testament to centuries of engineering and architectural heritage. Serving as a vital infrastructure link, this bridge has been an integral part of the local community for over 300 years. However, it faced significant challenges in 2018 when it was severely damaged by floodwaters, necessitating an extensive restoration and refurbishment.
Provide a modern strengthening solution, that preserved the bridge’s historical integrity avoiding any significant structural alteration or profile change, whilst increasing the working capacity of the bridge to reflect modern day usage, increased traffic and size of vehicles.
CFRP offers superior tensile strength being extremely lightweight and incredibly strong, making it an ideal material for historical restorations. Unlike traditional materials, CFRP can be applied without adding significant weight to the structure, which is crucial in preserving the bridge’s original design. Additionally, it allowed for targeted repairs that did not require extensive dismantling of the bridge, further safeguarding its historical appearance.
The application of CFRP not only increased the load-bearing capacity to 40t all loading, but also improved the bridge’s durability and resistance to fatigue and environmental degradation. Its high strength-to-weight ratio provided a substantial improvement in the load capacity while avoiding the need for bulky, visible reinforcements that could detract from the bridge’s historical character.
