ISS are proud to have undertaking the scaffolding element of the High Level Bridge part refurbishment scheme.
The structure certain members of our team provided scaffold on nearly 20 years ago and it was a privilege to be once again delivering the scaffold and containment on such an iconic structure in our home city over the River Tyne.
As structures such as this age, their ability to facilitate loads change, and as such its always interesting to better understand these challenges and develop new solutions to provide access.
The project presented several challenges for us to overcome, primarily redistributing the load imposed by our scaffold back to the main arches of the bridge. The solution in this case being to install ladder beam details along the profile of the arches, carrying a 750mm X beam detail above the existing footpaths. The foot path has then been core drilled to allow drop tubes hung from the X beam detail to carry matching longitudinal 750mm X beams below the bridge without clashing with any of the structural steel beneath the road deck. 450mm beams have then been underslung to create a complete underdeck with zero contact points across the elements of the bridge to be worked on. The beam and hanger detail has then provided a structural backdrop onto which we could shrink wrap and final seal the scaffold to create a complete weather containment for blasting & painting works to commence. An elegant and efficient solution to a complex problem.
Our experience and expertise ensures we remain the first choice for providing specialist scaffold and access to the region’s critical infrastructure.
