The essential equipment of construction, Part 2

From ODOT-

Here is the second in a series on the large machinery that we’re using to build the Whilamut Passage Bridge.

For the roadway portions of our project, this large paver pushes and
forms the continuously reinforced concrete pavement, creating a 12-foot-wide
roadway. Crews
follow behind to ‘float’ a final hand finish that ensures a smooth, quiet ride.

On the bridge spans, crews use an efficient Bid-Well paving machine that spreads,
levels and flattens concrete poured for the final bridge deck. Spanning an
entire 12-foot roadway lane, it steadily moves on metal rails, forming fresh
concrete into finished pavement.*

Here’s how the paving
machine works. The auger to the right of the center roller spreads the concrete,
the black wheel levels it, and the roller flattens the concrete to make the
bridge deck consistent and strong.

 

 *Text
revised on April 4, 2013.

I-5 Canoe Canal Bridges near completion

From ODOT-

Crews with Slayden Construction Group are almost finished with the new northbound Canoe Canal Bridge. Now that the bridge deck is poured, the focus turns to installing railing and finishing the roadway.

Crews install wood forms between the bridge beams. The ironworkers use the rebar embedded in the beams (shown in the foreground) to secure interwoven rebar which will be surrounded by concrete when the deck is poured.

To pour the deck, the contractor installs steel rails on either side of the roadway to guide the concrete spreading machine. In addition, string lines control the paver direction and surface elevation. As concrete is delivered to the site, the paving machine spreads and vibrates the concrete evenly across the surface. Workers follow with hand tools to finish the deck surface.

Steel railing supports and guides the concrete paver along with an electric eye that follows the string line.

The deck then cures for up to two weeks to achieve the required hardness. When the railing and roadways are complete, the bridge will be ready for freeway traffic.

The finished deck awaits striping and other finishing touches.