Layher Allround Bridging System

The Layher Group is a family-owned company producing high-quality scaffolding systems in Germany for over 60 years. Layher is present worldwide with more than 30 sales subsidiaries. The products are used for building and construction, in all kinds of industries like chemical plants or power plants, at shipyards and offshore. Due to innovative products, superior technical solutions and Layher’s absolute customer orientated service package, Layher has become the standard in scaffolding systems worldwide, says Mr. Mithilesh Kumar.

Explaining the Allround Bridging System (ABS) he says, it is a modular truss system that can be adapted to the respective application. The posts of the ABS have wedge heads welded to the side, to which standards of the Allround equipment can be fastened. As a result, ABS can be combined with Allround equipment, offering a wide range of possible uses. A complete integration into an Allround Scaffolding structure (e.g. to transfer high loads or for bridging of wide spans) is also possible. The individual components of the Layher Allround Bridging System are connected in a time-saving way using bolts of diameter 30 mm. The connection to the Allround equipment is made using the proven Allround wedge head connection.

A standard Layher bridge structure mainly comprises two load transferring ABS which are arranged parallel to one another at a defined distance, depending on the required bridge width. A stable bridge supporting structure is obtained with an internal Allround scaffolding structure fastened between the two ABS. The stiffening in the transverse direction and hence the stabilization of the ABS is achieved with horizontally arranged bracing in the Allround structure. The bridge decking and the guard rails are fastened to the internal Allround scaffolding structure. The entire bridge structure – both bridging units in combination with internal Allround Scaffolding – is finally supported at the bridge ends. The support can for example be on individual Layher heavy-duty supports integrated into a separate stairway access. In some cases, it is also possible to support the end posts of the bridge directly on existing foundations, beams or walls

Layher Allround Bridging System as temporary pedestrian bridge in Seedorf

With the new development "ABS" Layher offers the optimal solution for the construction of over a hundred metres long pedestrian crossing with free spanned bridge elements of 31 metres.

Another Layher innovative product that expands the field of application of the Allround scaffolding.

In the context of modernizing the Swiss motorway, the lanes and civil engineering structures such as bridges, underpasses or passages will be renovated extensively in three phases. This also includes an overpass near Seedorf at the Urner Lake. This overpass does not only cross the so-called Gotthard Route, one of the most important north-south transport axes in Europe but also the fourth-biggest river of Switzerland. Side by side, this duo meanders through the Swiss panorama from the Gotthard down to Lake Lucerne. Only their paths go separate ways. The transit route leads to Basel, while the 164 kilometres long river Reuss flows into the Aare near Windisch.

As a replacement for the closed bridge, the Federal Office for Streets in Bern (ASTRA) ordered the construction of a temporary pedestrian crossing which was to cross the motorway and the river parallel to the existing bridge. Tasks of this nature generally require project-oriented and therefore expensive special constructions. With the innovation from Layher, scaffolders can now offer this service much more efficiently with only a few additional components to the Allround system. After a successful appearance in Davos at the World Economic Forum, the use of the ABS for this project with supporting spans of up to 31 metres was also the optimal solution.

In order to derange traffic on this highly frequented route as little as possible, the construction was pre-assembled on the ground. To bridge road and river, provisions were made for two sections of 31 metres each. To compensate deflexion, these were constructed thanks to the lengthwise adjustable diagonal brace with a slight cant. Within only five minutes, the builders in charge were now able to place the two parts of the bridge onto the supports by means of a crane: during the afternoon over the river, and at night – during a short complete closure – over the motorway. One day, one night – and the bridge is completed. For a duration of approximately four to six months. Accesses as well as the middle section were, constructed with the Allround scaffolding.