Dorman Long Technology
Reference Project
Construction Equipment
Construction Engineering
Site Services
Ponte Verde bridge launch, Italy

In early 2011 the 1000 tonne superstructure of the Ponte Verde steel arch bridge in Padua, Italy, was launched into place by Edimo Metallo S.p.A using Dorman Long DL-S185 strand jacks and with the assistance of our construction engineering and site supervision services. The complete arch bridge was fully assembled on site and then launched over the 90m span into final position, crossing 10 No railway lines that remained open throughout. Within the 90m span there were 2 No temporary supports for launching, located between the railway lines. 2 No DL-S185 strand jacks were used for pulling and a further 2 No DL-S185 strand jacks used to restrain the bridge from running away down the small slope and to allow the launch to be reversed in an emergency. The pulling and restraining strand jacks were hydraulically interlocked so that a drop in pressure in the pulling jacks caused by the bridge running away down the slope would immediately lock the restraining strand jacks to prevent further uncontrolled movement. The DL-S185 strand jacks were powered by 4 No DL-L30/2/300/E power packs and controlled using our DL-P40 computer control system. The launch took place in several stages over a 5 day period. We provided two teams of supervisors to give 24 hour cover for the operation.


Nearing completion of the launch....

2 No DL-S185 strand jacks for launching (shown), 2 No DL-S185 strand jacks for restraining (hidden). 4 No L30/1/300/E power packs...

DL-S185 restraining strand jack, with hydraulic interlock to the DL-S185 pulling strand jack to prevent runaway of the bridge during launching...

View under the bridge near the end of the launch showing the 2 No temporary supports used for launching...