fibUK lecture: major infrastructure case studies

This lecture explored two case studies covering the HS2 Phase One Colne Valley Viaduct and the Taf Fawr Viaduct on the A465 Heads of the Valleys Project. The talks outlined the design processes adopted and the construction constraints and looked at the problems that were encountered and how they were resolved.

The Colne Valley Viaduct being delivered by the Align JV as part of HS2 Phase One Contract C1 - George Kapos, Market Sector Director (Rail) at Rendel Ltd

• Understand the basis of design and the process adopted for the detailed design of the 3.4km long precast post-tensioned segmental 57-span viaduct

• Describe how the design advantageously utilises a combination of internal bonded and external unbonded post-tensioning and the measures adopted for ensuring the long-term durability of the post-tensioning

• Learn how on a Design and Build project it is imperative that there is an on-going interaction between Designer and Contractor 

• Explain how the design outcome of such a structure is fundamentally linked to the method of construction

The design and construction of Taf Fawr Viaduct - Henry Still, Assistant Engineer at Atkins and David Arribas, Manager of Bridges Department at FCC Construction

• Outline the Taf Fawr Viaduct which is a key structure on the A465 Heads of the valleys dualling project in South Wales

• Explain the design of a new build post-tensioned balanced cantilever bridge 

• Learn how the construction constraints were considered and shaped the design 

• Explore how the design was managed during construction and how issues were resolved on site 

Speakers

George Kapos is a civil/structural engineer with 19 years of experience in major transport infrastructure and process industry projects in the UK, Europe, Middle East and Australia. He has key knowledge and expertise in the design of concrete and steel structures ranging from underground structures to bridges. During his career to date George has worked on several significant transportation projects, notably the Colne Valley Viaduct (High-Speed 2) in the UK; The North West Rail Link (NWRL) in Australia; the New Tyne Crossing in the UK, the New Europe Bridge in Romania-Bulgaria and the Shah Amanat Bridge in Bangladesh. On the Colne Valley Viaduct, George is the Engineering Package Manager leading the design of the 3.4km Viaduct and associated approach embankments.

Henry Still is a civil engineer with 4 years of experience in new build post tensioned bridge design. Working at Atkins his career has been focused on the A465 Heads of the valleys dualling project in South Wales. Having been involved with the tender design, detailed design, and onsite design support for Taf Fawr viaduct he has been there from start to finish.

David Arribas is a civil engineer with more than 25 years of experience in projects related to bridges. From his beginning he has been working in the Spanish contractor company FCC Construcción and he is the head of the Bridges Department of the company. During all of these years he has been involved in structural projects ranging from small footbridges to long span bridges. In his career he has had to face all the facets of these kind of projects: design, construction and maintenance. Due to the features of a construction company he has worked in projects all around the world.