The Glasgow Science Centre Bridge provides a
new crossing over the River Clyde, close to the city centre, linking the
prestigious Glasgow Science Centre on the south bank with the Scottish
Conference and Exhibition Centre on the north bank.
The bridge has a total span of 128m, comprising
two fixed spans of 44m and two lifting bascules providing a navigable channel of
35m. The structure is formed from a triangular tubular steel lattice frame
connecting a single bottom boom with two upper boom members. The lifting spans
are raised by twin hydraulic cylinders that are mounted in line with the bottom
boom. When in the lowered position the lifting spans maintain the same gradient
as the fixed span approaches. Each fixed span is supported at the lifting
position by a single 1520mm diameter tubular steel pile and at mid span by a
914mm diameter pile.
All the piling was carried out by C Spencer Ltd
utilising their self-propelled barge the 'Meeuw'.
The bridge is controlled from a mobile radio
pendant which communicates with media drums located at each side of the bridge.
These media drums also house the hydraulic power packs, with each side of the
bridge being essentially independent. In order to minimise the piping
requirements, a secondary manifold is positioned by the hydraulic rams, which
directly controls the oil flow into the lifting and locking cylinders.
Bennett Associates was responsible for the concept
design and detailed manufacturing drawings for the Structural, Mechanical,
Electrical and Hydraulic systems.
Related links:
 Port
Tawe Footbridges and Walkway Design
Torquay
Pedestrian Footbridge and Inner Harbour Impoundment
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