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SMEC South Africa – V&A Waterfront Swing Bridge
SMEC South Africa for V&A Waterfront Swing Bridge
PROJECT TEAM Client: V&A Waterfront Cape Town Consulting engineer: SMEC South Africa
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Bridges and moving bridges within South Africa’s oldest working harbour, the V&A Waterfront, have become a memorable part of any visitor’s experience. The new 4 m swing bridge, in fact, replaced a smaller, muchloved 2 m wide swing bridge built in 1997.
However, with the further expansion of the Waterfront, the number of people crossing the cut was increasing yearly. By 2016, the previous 2 m wide walkway was carrying 2.4 million people annually. To keep pace with the demand, a new wider bridge was commissioned. The challenge set by the client was: • The new bridge had to be as quick, efficient, effective and reliable as the existing one. • The construction cost had to stay within a tight budget. • The works had to limit disruption to the public, the V&A and the environment. The design team worked through various options for the new link and a swing bridge was still deemed to be the best solution in terms of the speed of operation and electrical energy needed to operate it. The bridge had to be capable of operating in wind speeds of up to 60 km/h, designed for impact by a vessel from both directions and swing free in such a way as to protect the mechanical equipment.
The new swing bridge has a span of 40 m. The deck is cable-stayed with a single plane of four locked coil cables connecting to a central, upstand spine beam. The reclining pylon is in the continuity of the main central beam and its stiffness transfers the cable loads into the piled substructure. The steel with timber deck is rotated on a slewing bearing, which is stressed down on to a doughnut-shaped pile cap by 34 vertical Freyssibars. The bridge is supported on eight piles, positioned in a ring.
The slew bearing and hydraulic motors are in a plant room, created by the pile cap ring. By forming the pile cap in this way, it was possible to house the mechanics within the depth of the foundations, reducing the required excavation depth and keeping the foundations above sea level.
The bridge’s integrated form is simple and unique. It serves as an important link and is considered a positive landmark for both the V&A and Cape Town.
structuring the future… one partner… one project at a time...
Photo by Mike Aldous
In August, MPAMOT (Pty) Ltd, previously known as Malani Padayachee and Associates (Pty) Ltd (MPA), announced the acquisition of Mott MacDonald Africa (Pty) Ltd, the South African engineering entity of Mott MacDonald. This was preceded by months of extensive negotiations with Mott MacDonald the global engineering and development organisation, civil and structural engineering consulting firm.
Prior to the above transaction, investment holding company Motseng Women Investments (Pty) Ltd (Motseng) acquired a minority equity in Malani Padayachee and Associates (Pty) Ltd.
As first mover recognising the challenges and opportunities facing the industry, MPAMOT is the first and largest 100% black women-owned engineering and development consultancy of its size, capacity and capability in South Africa. MPAMOT (Pty) Ltd trades within South Africa, the South African Development Community, and beyond.
Mott MacDonald continue to collaborate with MPAMOT to support transformation and development and the benefit of local talent and global linkages for our collective clients.
We celebrate with our partners and client, Mauritius Multisports Infrastructure Ltd, the completion of the flagship Cote d’Or National Sports Complex in Mauritius. This project was completed by the Indian Ocean Games Joint Venture, a partnership by Mott MacDonald Africa and Ruben Reddy Architects.
The multisports complex includes a 15000 spectator FIFA- and IAAF-standard football and athletics stadium, a FINA-accredited aquatic centre seating 1100, including a 50m training pool and a 50m competition pool, as well as a 2000 spectator multipurpose gymnasium. The project complies to a range of local and international sporting federation standards.
The team has brought ingenuity, innovation and sophisticated engineering design solutions to deliver architectural and engineering design services for the project. This included master planning; sports centre architecture; civil, structural, mechanical, electrical, ICT, traffic, and fire engineering; crowd modelling and landscaping. At the inauguration of the Cote d’Or National Sports Complex, the Prime Minister of Mauritius, Mr. Pravind Jugnauth, said: “Even before the games start, we have already won the first gold medal for the quality of this structure.”
Structuring the future…one partnership…one project at a time.
