The Art of Scaffolding: Innovative Concept Allround Bridging System

Mithilesh Kumar, Director,
Layher Scaffolding Systems Pvt. Ltd.
The Allround bridging systems is the ideal complements to Layher Allround equipment with just few additional components, the load-bearing capacity of the proven Allround systems can be increased enough to create for example, wide- span footbridges or support structure for heavy loads.
The Allround Bridging system is a modular truss system that can be adapted to the respective application. The posts of the Allround Bridging Systems have wedge heads welded to the side, to which standards of the Allround equipment can be fastened. As a result, the Allround Bridging Systems 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.

With the new development "Allround bridging system" Layher offers the optimal solution for the construction of a more than a hundred metres long pedestrian crossing with free spanned bridge elements of 31 metres.
Innovative supplementary component: even unsupported bridging structures with a span of up to 30 meters can be completed, or high loads can be supported thanks to the modular All-round bridging system from Layher.
Application of Allround Bridging Systems
Allround bridging system with 30m Span, partially cladded with lightweight cassette roof and Protect system.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 there 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 Allround bridging system 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 duration of approximately four to six months. Accesses as well as the middle section were, thanks to full compatibility, constructed with the Allround scaffolding.
NBM&CW November 2013