New technique to reduce construction time of flyover

A new technology being used to construct a flyover at the Hyderabad International Airport, India would significantly reduce construction time, according to an engineering expert.

S Sengupta, speaking at the three-day international conference Fast Track Construction of Bridges for Important Projects, said: "[this project] uses the latest technology of Precast Segmental Prestressed Concrete Superstructure erected by Overhead Launching Girders (OLG)" which he claimed would drastically reduce total construction time.

He added "It also minimizes traffic disruption with a high-level of upfront planning. It also attains longer life expectancies and safety could be increased even by decreasing the time,"

Sengupta also stressed that the method would be environmental friendly, as no site concreting work is involved for the superstructure.

Dealing with another pivotal task of erection of the system, he said the bridge deck will be erected span by span by heavy duty OLG with no disturbance at the ground level, since the mega structure is located over city roads.

"All the precast segments will be manufactured at off- site casting yards and transported to the site on flat bed trailers during lean traffic period. Later, they will be lifted and assembled transferring the self weight of the structure to the pot bearings located on the piers," he said.

The project could be opened to traffic in a period of 20 to 22 months.